Patricius Tokaji Szamorodni

Zéta is the 6th letter of the Greek alphabet, and also a grape variety allowed to use for wines under the Tokaj appellation. If you have never heard of it, don’t worry, even wine geeks lack information about this rare grape. Let us teach you and taste Patricius Stilla Aurea Tokaiensis, a sweet Tokaji Szamorodni with 50% Zéta variety.
Grape photo by Bor.hu

What to know about Zéta?

– It is a crossing between Furmint and Bouvier.
– The crossing was carried on by the renowned Hungarian viticultirist, Dr. Ferenc Király and his colleagues in 1951 at Pécs Research centre.
– Zéta is a half-sibling of Zengő, Zenit and Zeusz (he was definitely fond of the letter Z).
– Zéta was the protagonist of a novel by Géza Gárdonyi, a famous Hungarian writer. (A láthatatlan ember – Slave of the Huns / The Invisible Man)
– The official recognition took place many years later, only in 1990.
– At the beginning Zéta was known as Oremus, which is an important vineyard, a ‘cru’ in Tokaj wine region, and also the name of a winery (Tokaj Oremus, and estate owned by vega Sicilia). To avoid confusion, in 1999 the name was changed into Zéta.
– In 1999 there were only 34 hectares, but currently there are 110.7 hectares planted with Zéta in Hungary (source: HNT), exclusively in Tokaj.
– It ripens early and susceptible to botrytis. It has the potential to give full bodied wines rich in aromas and flavours.
– It usually contains less acidity, especially in case of very hot summers, therefore in the majority of the wines, Zéta is blended with other grapes of more acidity.
– You can see Zéta – and many other – vines in the educational vineyard of Patricius Winery, right near the estate building.

Patricius Stilla Aurea Tokaiensis 2021

– It is a sweet Tokaji Szamorodni, a traditional style similar to Tokaji Aszú in many ways, but with less botrytis, less sugar and with a more affordable price. For Szamorodni healthy and botrytised berries are harvested together.
– Stilla Aurea Tokaiensis (Latin) = Golden Drop from Tokaj
– The 2021 vintage of the wine is a blend of 50% Zéta, 28% Muscat Blanc and 22% Furmint.
– It fermented in stainless steel and then aged in 220 L oak barrel for a year.
– Alcohol: 12.5%, residual sugar: 124.2 g/l, acidity: 8.4 g/l
– “The nose brings the aromas of the botrytised Aszú berries with lots of fruity notes, as mango, peach, quince, apricot. In the back the elegance of the barrel ageing also appears. On palate fine complexity, roundness and elegance can characterize the taste. At the end unique minerality completes the wine.”
More about Patricius Winery

Patricius wines are available in many countries, for example in Great Britain at Great Wines & Co and also in the United States at Citadella Imports. If you are in Hungary, you can get hold of the wine at Budapest Airport.

Stay at Andrássy Kúria and Spa in Tokaj wine region…

…where you can taste all the wines of Patricius Winery

Breakfast with Giorgio in Tokaj