A few weeks back I had the pleasure of getting schooled on a grape I know
nothing about, Furmint! The place was the Hungarian Embassy here in NYC
which was the perfect setting for my introduction to some of the wines
of Hungary.
Furmint, a superior white grape variety indigenous to the Tokaj region,
is the undisputed king of Hungarian grapes and being one that ripens
late, shows a smooth acidity and some unique minerality. I immediately
noticed a similarity to Riesling, especially on the aromatics, but there
are also hints of Chardonnay's texture. Here is the first in a series of several I had tasted.
Barta Winery Old King Vineyard Furmint 2012
From Old King Vineyard in Mád, this Furmint is aged in used oak barrels
for 7 months. Straw colored and clean in the glass with sharp, nutty
aromas piercing a bubble of summer fruit. On the palate are muted
flavors of citrus playfully complementing an ethereal minerality and
mild acidity.
