February is the month of Furmint variety, it is celebrated all over Hungary and in several other countries as well, for example in the United Kingdom. Wherever you live, enjoy a glass (or better a bottle) of the wine of this amazing, versatile grape variety.

1. The pronunciation of Furmint is “Foor-mint”.
2. Furmint originates from Tokaj, and there are several evidences to prove that, one of them is the mention of the variety as early as 1571 in the Hétszőlő vineyard and another in 1611 in a document from Erdőbénye, both in Tokaj region.
3. According to DNI analyses, Furmint is the offspring of Gouais Blanc grape variety, therefore it is the “half-brother” of many famous grapes like Chardonnay and Riesling.
4. DNI tests have also proved that Furmint is a parent of Hárslevelű, the other important grape of Tokaj.
5. Furmint is one of the few grapes allowed to use under the appellation of Tokaj, it is the main grape of Aszú wines along with Hárslevelű.
6. Though most Tokaji Aszú wines contain Furmint, the variety is far more than an ingredient of the noble sweet wine. You can find single vineyard dry Furmint wines, dry and sweet blends and also marvellous bottle fermented sparkling wines made of Furmint.
7. Though most wine experts associate Furmint with Tokaj, it is grown in many other wine regions giving stunning examples of the variety: Somló, Badacsony, Balatonfüred–Csopak, Mátra and Eger.
8. Furmint is the 3rd most planted white grape in Hungary.
9. Furmint is also grown in Croatia, it is known as Moslavac there, while in Slovenia it is called Šipon.
10. Furmint was taken as far as South Africa, and we have seen “Tokaji Aszú”-type of wine made of Furmint and Hárslevelű in South Africa.

Lőcse – a vineyard with a story to tell

“We remember looking around here and seeing Erdőbénye for the very first time… it was love at first sight. Produced since 2003, our Lőcse Furmint wines soon became the iconic dry white wines of our winery” as Béres family recalls the memories of the beginning. The current vintage is 2019, proving that there is no reason to hurry, this grape has a lot of ageing potential. “A complex, layered yet dynamic Furmint, marked by pronounced minerality and subtle barrel aging. Its aroma is dominated by quince, ripe apple, and pear, complemented by pronounced but well integrated barrel spices. A substantial, full-bodied, mature wine that lingers on the palate.”
More about Béres Lőcse Furmint 2019

The story and geology of Lőcse Vineyard

13 February, Furmint February grand tasting in Budapest

The annual grand tasting takes place in the centre of Budapest at the river Danube in the House of Traditions. Around 60 wineries pour their Furmint wines, certainly mostly from Tokaj, like Holdvölgy, Patricius, Sauska or Zsirai, but participants can get first hand experience about our No7 statement above. Yes, Furmint has great potential in other wine regions, so taste Furmint from Tornai Winery (Somló), Kovács Nimród Winery (Eger) and also from Steigler Cellar (Sopron).

More information and tickets

26 February, Furmint event in London, United Kingdom

Furmint tasting in London on 26 February