Tokay

Tokay refers to a variety of entities, most notably a wine and a gecko, each distinct in their respective fields. This article will focus on the wine aspect, with a brief mention of the gecko for clarity.

Tokay Wine

Tokay wine, also known as Tokaji or Tokaj, is a type of wine produced in the Tokaj-Hegyalja region of Hungary. This region is renowned for its sweet wines made from grapes affected by noble rot, a condition that occurs when the fungus Botrytis cinerea partially dries the grapes, resulting in a higher concentration of sugars and flavors. The most famous of these wines is Tokaji Aszú, celebrated for its richness and complexity.

History

The history of Tokay wine dates back to the 17th century, making it one of the oldest documented wines in the world. It gained prominence when it became a favorite in the French Court, particularly under the reign of Louis XIV, who famously called it "the wine of kings and the king of wines."

Production

The production of Tokay wine involves a meticulous process where the aszú grapes (grapes affected by noble rot) are hand-picked and then macerated in a base wine or fermenting must. The ratio of aszú grapes to the base wine determines the sweetness level of the final product, which is denoted by puttonyos, a traditional measure ranging from three to six in modern classifications, with six being the sweetest.

Varieties

Apart from Tokaji Aszú, the Tokaj region also produces several other wine varieties, including:

• Tokaji Furmint: A dry wine made from the Furmint grape, offering a crisp acidity balanced with mineral notes.
• Tokaji Hárslevelű: Another dry variety, made from the Hárslevelű grape, known for its aromatic profile.
• Tokaji Szamorodni: A wine that can be either dry or sweet, made from grapes that are not exclusively affected by noble rot.

Tokay Gecko

The Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko) is a large nocturnal gecko native to Asia and some Pacific Islands. Known for its distinctive blue-grey color and orange spots, it is often mentioned in the context of traditional medicine. However, it is not related to Tokay wine, aside from sharing a similar name.

See Also

• Wine
• Viticulture
• Hungary
• Botrytis cinerea
• Grape

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