Tokaji Aszú: Hungary’s Elixir is Swoon-Worthy by the Spoon

….Essencia is the richest and rarest of all Tokaji wines. At the Benjamin Bar and Lounge, crystal spoons of the Royal Tokaji 2007 Essencia go for $140 a serving. “Once the guests taste it, it sells itself,” says Daniel Mahdavian, Director of Food and Beverage at the Trump International Hotel in Washington D.C.

Referring to Hungarian Aszú wines as a “national treasures,” Mahdavian says they also tout a dexterous ability to pair with various, diverse types of cuisine—from Asian to Indian to traditional Hungarian and Mediterranean specialties. “When I first discovered the Tokaji Aszú, I realized it was a perfect complement to almost all breakfast foods, but I could drink it with my goat salad for lunch, I could drink it at night with a foie gras, or I could drink it with dessert as well,” he continues….

In regards to the “Year of Aszú” initiative, Mahdavian thinks it’s exciting to see such abundant proof that “the future is bright for the Hungarian wines.” “I think this is the first time
I see such an incredible effort from
a country from an agricultural and economical point of view, as well as such a high level of engagement and effort from the wine industry players in this field,” he says.

Tokaji Aszú is one of the world’s most prominent and complex sweet wines fully showcasing the artistic essence of Hungarian winemaking.

The ‘Year of Aszú’ aims to raise the profile of Hungarian wines, especially Tokaj sweet wines, in professional fora and in the media, and enhance their overall market presence in North America.

The full story was published in the Tasting Panel Magazine’ April issue (www.tastingpanelmag.com)

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