Evolucio Furmint

Imagine arriving at a party where you don’t know many people ….you look around the room casually, one person that catches your eye with their bright smile and twinkling eyes. Suddenly you feel welcome, at ease and are happy to be at this party…. that is Furmint grape varietal - its bright, welcoming and always puts a smile on your face. It’s the tastiest grape you’ve never heard of or weren’t aware that there are dry versions of this regal varietal.

What Riesling is to Germany, Furmint is to Hungary. Considered the superstar indigenous white grape varietal of Tokaj, Hungary thanks to its luscious botrytized Tokaji dessert wine adored worldwide for centuries. The Tokaj region had one of the world’s earliest vineyard classification systems, “the first mention of Aszú grape wine is in 1571, in a property deal clearly demonstrating that the aszú grapes had been kept separate from the normal grapes in the vineyard of Mézes Mály,” writes Oz Clarke in The History of Wine in 100 Bottles.” In recent years its dry versions have become very popular and sought after. It is picked early as well as aged in stainless steel to preserve the freshness and high acidity. Reminiscent of the zingy Riesling ad the roundness of Chardonnay

Evolúció Furmint 2020

Pours into the glass a gleaming lemon color. Bright aromas of fresh pear, quince, peach, grass, almost ripe pineapple as well as honeysuckle. The first sip beams with lip puckering acidity, followed by the bright lemon zest and juice, pineapple, stone fruit, leading to wet seaside pebbles and a touch of flint finishing off with cheese rind, bread dough and a hum of ginger and peperoncini. Such a lovely fruit driven white with a beautiful roundness and a zingy acidity. At 11% alcohol it’s borderline off-dry but oh so easy to drink.

Pair with roasted vegetable & fresh herb couscous, coriander and cardamon spiced chicken or poached halibut with saffron beurre blanc.