When we think of Furmint wines – if we think of them at all – we normally think of sweet dessert wine. The ancient Furmint grape – native to the Tokaj region of northeastern Hungary – is susceptible to botrytis, or “noble rot.” Affected grapes produce lush, sweet wine with distinctive honey and orange marmalade notes. This wine, known as Tokaji Aszú, was the signature Furmint wine of Hungary. Only in recent years have winemakers in Hungary been producing dry wines from Furmint grapes that have not been affected by botrytis, sometimes blended with Hárslevelü, another grape that is native to Hungary. These are crisp, minerally, high-acid wines that exhibit flavors and aromas of citrus, pear, white flowers, and smoke. Think of these wines as an alternative white wine to pair with seafood.
