THE WINES OF TOKAJ - Rare Tasting Opportunity in Sydney
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2004 1:15 pm
THE WINES OF TOKAJ - Rare Tasting Opportunity in Sydney
Tokaj (pronounced: Tokay) is one of the oldest great wine regions in the world and the first to be classified, in the late 18th century. Tokaj is the jewel of Hungary. Its rare Esszencia (Essence) and great Aszú (barrel aged botrytis) dessert wines have been renowned the world over since the early 18th century. If you have not had the chance to taste them before, here is a fantastic opportunity.
The outstanding wines from the PAJZOS and MEGYER estates will introduce you to the wines of Tokaj. Both Pajzos and Megyer were established in 1991 after the fall of communism by Frenchman Jean-Louis Laborde, proprietor of Chateau Clinet in Pomerol whose wines are now compared with Pétrus, Lafleur and Le Pin. His aim together with winemakers Jean-Michel Arcaute (recently deceased) and Sándor Zsurki and consultant Thomas Laszlo is to create legendary and long lived Tokaji wines.
YouÂ’ll have the chance to taste the classically styled 1993 vintage Pajzos and Megyer Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos wines along with the new and exciting late harvest 2000 vintage Pajzos Hárslevelű (Linden Leaf) and Muskotály (Muscat Petit Grains or Yellow Muscat).
The highlight of the evening will be the outstanding and great 1993 Pajzos Esszencia (Wine Spectator 99 pts) that holds similar status in Hungary to that of Grange in Australia, and very much in the same price category as well.
Photo: Arial view of the township of Tokaj and the hillside vineyards in North-Eastern Hungary.
The tasting will be presented by Attila Halasz. You may know Attila by his tasting notes on Auswine.
Attila will introduce the region, its wines and the Pajzos and Megyer estates, which are currently looking for Australian importers. YouÂ’ll learn about the reductive wines of Hárslevelű and Muskotály, the Aszú wines made from botrytis affected grapes, and the very special Esszencia, made without crushing or pressing the grapes, whilst tasting great examples of each style. The 1993 Pajzos Esszencia is the first ever Esszencia produced since the fall of Communism and one of the purest and greatest expressions of Tokaj.
Tokaji wines have been praised by Louis XIV, Peter the Great of Russia, the Habsburgs of Vienna, Voltaire, Goethe, and Schubert. In fact, it was the Great King of France, 1638-1715, Louis XIV who said of Tokaji wines: “Wine of Kings, King of Wines.Ââ€Â
It is this legend that led to the creation of such wines as the great Tokays of Rutherglen in Australia and the Tokay d'Alsace wines in France. Join us for an exciting evening.
Date: 27/04/2004 (Tuesday night)
Time: 6:30pm (Tasting will commence 7pm sharp)
Venue: Lanzasame Italian Restaurant (Upstairs Room) - 96 Ramsey Street, Haberfield, NSW, 2045.
Cost: $45 per person - finger food will be provided. Please note that a 10% discount will be given to any Lanzasame Italian Restaurant diners that attend the Tokaji tasting.
The tasting is limited to 35 people. Please register for the evening by phoning (02) 9816 5277 and asking for Joe.
Photo: The maturing bottles of Aszú wines in a Tokaj cellar. The tops of the bottles are surrounded by the unique Tokaji mould. The moisture levels in Tokaji cellars are around 98% allowing the bottles to be stored upright without the fear of corks drying out.
Tokaj (pronounced: Tokay) is one of the oldest great wine regions in the world and the first to be classified, in the late 18th century. Tokaj is the jewel of Hungary. Its rare Esszencia (Essence) and great Aszú (barrel aged botrytis) dessert wines have been renowned the world over since the early 18th century. If you have not had the chance to taste them before, here is a fantastic opportunity.
The outstanding wines from the PAJZOS and MEGYER estates will introduce you to the wines of Tokaj. Both Pajzos and Megyer were established in 1991 after the fall of communism by Frenchman Jean-Louis Laborde, proprietor of Chateau Clinet in Pomerol whose wines are now compared with Pétrus, Lafleur and Le Pin. His aim together with winemakers Jean-Michel Arcaute (recently deceased) and Sándor Zsurki and consultant Thomas Laszlo is to create legendary and long lived Tokaji wines.
YouÂ’ll have the chance to taste the classically styled 1993 vintage Pajzos and Megyer Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos wines along with the new and exciting late harvest 2000 vintage Pajzos Hárslevelű (Linden Leaf) and Muskotály (Muscat Petit Grains or Yellow Muscat).
The highlight of the evening will be the outstanding and great 1993 Pajzos Esszencia (Wine Spectator 99 pts) that holds similar status in Hungary to that of Grange in Australia, and very much in the same price category as well.
Photo: Arial view of the township of Tokaj and the hillside vineyards in North-Eastern Hungary.
The tasting will be presented by Attila Halasz. You may know Attila by his tasting notes on Auswine.
Attila will introduce the region, its wines and the Pajzos and Megyer estates, which are currently looking for Australian importers. YouÂ’ll learn about the reductive wines of Hárslevelű and Muskotály, the Aszú wines made from botrytis affected grapes, and the very special Esszencia, made without crushing or pressing the grapes, whilst tasting great examples of each style. The 1993 Pajzos Esszencia is the first ever Esszencia produced since the fall of Communism and one of the purest and greatest expressions of Tokaj.
Tokaji wines have been praised by Louis XIV, Peter the Great of Russia, the Habsburgs of Vienna, Voltaire, Goethe, and Schubert. In fact, it was the Great King of France, 1638-1715, Louis XIV who said of Tokaji wines: “Wine of Kings, King of Wines.Ââ€Â
It is this legend that led to the creation of such wines as the great Tokays of Rutherglen in Australia and the Tokay d'Alsace wines in France. Join us for an exciting evening.
Date: 27/04/2004 (Tuesday night)
Time: 6:30pm (Tasting will commence 7pm sharp)
Venue: Lanzasame Italian Restaurant (Upstairs Room) - 96 Ramsey Street, Haberfield, NSW, 2045.
Cost: $45 per person - finger food will be provided. Please note that a 10% discount will be given to any Lanzasame Italian Restaurant diners that attend the Tokaji tasting.
The tasting is limited to 35 people. Please register for the evening by phoning (02) 9816 5277 and asking for Joe.
Photo: The maturing bottles of Aszú wines in a Tokaj cellar. The tops of the bottles are surrounded by the unique Tokaji mould. The moisture levels in Tokaji cellars are around 98% allowing the bottles to be stored upright without the fear of corks drying out.