Tokaji Aszú is Hungary's celebrated sweet wine, made from individually selected noble-rotted grapes and prized for its honeyed fruit, rich texture and refreshing balance.
What Is Tokaji Aszú?
Tokaji Aszú is a naturally sweet wine from the historic Tokaj wine region in north-eastern Hungary. It is made using grapes affected by noble rot, a beneficial form of the fungus Botrytis cinerea that concentrates the fruit's sugars and flavours.
Each shrivelled aszú berry is selected individually by hand before being used to make the wine. The result is a golden sweet wine with remarkable depth: flavours of apricot, orange peel, honey and dried fruit are balanced by the lively acidity for which Tokaj is known.
Although often enjoyed as a dessert wine, Aszú can be equally rewarding with savoury food, particularly blue cheese, foie gras and cured ham. It is also one of the most distinctive wines to give as a gift or open for a special occasion.
To understand where Aszú fits alongside the region's dry, sparkling and other sweet wines, read our complete guide to Tokaji wine.
What Does Tokaji Aszú Taste Like?
Tokaji Aszú is rich and sweet, but its natural acidity brings freshness and balance. Rather than tasting simply sugary, it can unfold in layers, with ripe fruit, floral aromas and more complex notes developing as the wine spends time in the glass.
Depending on the grapes, producer and age of the wine, you may notice:
- Apricot, peach or apricot jam.
- Orange peel, candied citrus or marmalade.
- Honey, acacia blossom or other floral notes.
- Dried fruit, sweet spice and subtle oak.
- More developed notes of nuts, ginger or saffron in some wines.
The balance between sweetness and acidity is a defining part of the experience. A rich Aszú can have a wonderfully full texture while still feeling lively enough to enjoy with food.
How Is Tokaji Aszú Made?
Making Aszú depends on the right autumn conditions, careful selection and considerable patience. Not every grape develops noble rot in the same way, so the berries must be assessed individually in the vineyard.
- Noble rot develops: In suitable conditions, Botrytis cinerea affects ripe grapes, causing them to lose moisture and concentrating their natural sugars and flavours.
- The berries are picked by hand: The shrivelled aszú berries are selected individually from the bunches, often requiring several passes through the vineyard.
- The berries are soaked: The selected berries are macerated in grape must, fermenting must or wine, allowing their concentrated sweetness and flavour to be extracted. The traditional 136-litre Gönci oak barrel has an important place in Aszú's history, although producers can use different vessels today. Maceration may last 24–48 hours, but the precise time varies with the fruit and the winemaker's approach.
- The mixture is pressed and fermented: After soaking, it is pressed and fermentation continues, creating a wine that retains natural grape sugar.
- The wine is aged: Aszú matures in wooden barrels, developing further complexity before it is released.
This labour-intensive process helps explain why Aszú is such a special wine. Every bottle represents the work of selecting individual berries as well as the time spent making and ageing the wine.
Why Is Noble Rot Important?
Noble rot may sound unusual, but in the right conditions it is responsible for some of the world's most celebrated sweet wines. In Tokaj, the combination of autumn moisture and drier periods can encourage it to develop on ripe grapes.
As the berries lose water, their flavours and natural sugars become more concentrated. Noble rot can also contribute the honeyed, dried-fruit and gently savoury complexity that makes Aszú so distinctive.
Conditions vary from year to year, and the winemaker must carefully select suitable berries. Noble rot is therefore part of the wine's character, but it is not the only influence: grape variety, winemaking and ageing matter too.
Which Grapes Are Used in Tokaji Aszú?
Several local varieties can be used in Tokaji Aszú. Among the most important are Furmint and Hárslevelű, although producers may work with other permitted Tokaj grapes as well.
Furmint is valued for its freshness and structure, helping balance the richness of the finished wine. Hárslevelű can contribute fragrant floral and honeyed character. Some Aszú wines are made from one variety, while others bring several together.
Our guide to Furmint explores the grape in more detail, including its role in both dry and sweet Tokaji wines.
What Does Puttonyos Mean?
If you have looked at Tokaji Aszú labels, you may have seen the terms 5 Puttonyos and 6 Puttonyos. They are connected to the wine's traditional production and give a useful indication of sweetness.
Historically, a puttony was a container used for carrying the selected aszú berries. The number referred to the quantity of berries added to a barrel of base wine or must. Today, the wine is labelled according to the current Tokaj product specification rather than by counting baskets for each bottle.
Modern Tokaji Aszú must contain at least 120g of residual sugar per litre. To use the term 6 Puttonyos, an Aszú must contain at least 150g per litre.
In practical terms, both are sweet wines, while 6 Puttonyos indicates a higher minimum sugar level. The number does not tell you everything about the taste: acidity, grape varieties, producer and ageing all influence how rich or fresh the wine feels.
For a fuller explanation of the traditional baskets and modern labels, read our guide to Tokaji Puttonyos.
5 Puttonyos or 6 Puttonyos: Which Should You Choose?
| Feature | 5 Puttonyos | 6 Puttonyos |
|---|---|---|
| General style | Sweet and concentrated, often an approachable introduction to Aszú | Sweet and concentrated, with a higher minimum residual sugar requirement |
| What to expect | Honeyed fruit, citrus and refreshing acidity | Rich fruit and honeyed depth balanced by acidity |
| A good choice for | Discovering Aszú, sharing with food or giving an unusual wine gift | A special occasion, a concentrated sweet wine or a premium gift |
No single flavour applies to every bottle in either category. A well-balanced 6 Puttonyos can still taste lively, while individual 5 Puttonyos wines can also be rich and complex. Choose based on the producer, tasting notes and your preferences as well as the number on the label.
Tokaji Aszú Wines to Explore
Gróf Degenfeld Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos 2017
For a special bottle, we particularly recommend Gróf Degenfeld Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos 2017. Made predominantly from Hárslevelű with Furmint, it offers notes of apricot and ginger jam, honeysuckle, orange blossom and candied citrus, with added complexity from Hungarian oak.
This vintage received 97 points and a Platinum medal at the 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards and was subsequently featured by Decanter among the world's best sweet wines. It comes in an elegant gift box, making it a particularly appealing choice for a wine lover's present or a celebratory meal.
Read Decanter's feature on the world's best sweet wines.
Tokajicum Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos
Tokajicum Aszú 5 Puttonyos is an inviting starting point for anyone discovering the style. It offers honey, apricot and candied orange peel, with floral notes, marmalade and a hint of forest mushroom adding interest.
Its richness and freshness make it a lovely choice with blue cheese, pâté or a fruit-based dessert. It is also a thoughtful gift for someone who enjoys sweet wine and would like to explore Tokaj further.
Best of Hungary Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos
Our own Best of Hungary Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos is made for us by István Balassa. Produced from Furmint and matured in oak, it brings together apricot jam, orange peel, honey and sweet spice, followed by dried-fruit and floral notes.
It offers a more affordable way to explore 6 Puttonyos Aszú. Pour it with a cheese course, a slice of Hungarian cake or a special meal, and allow its aromas to develop in the glass.
Balassa Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos Villő
Balassa Aszú 6 Puttonyos Villő is a particularly concentrated expression, with aromas of marmalade, peach compote, saffron and walnut, followed by apricot and ripe citrus.
Its rich sweetness is balanced by lively acidity, making it a memorable choice for those who enjoy layered, intensely flavoured sweet wines. The 2019 wine received 97 points and a Platinum medal at the 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards.
Explore the full selection in our Tokaji Aszú collection.
What Food Goes with Tokaji Aszú?
Tokaji Aszú is wonderfully versatile at the table. Its sweetness creates a contrast with salty and savoury food, while its acidity helps balance rich textures. It can also be served with dessert, provided the pudding does not overwhelm the wine.
- Blue cheese: Try Stilton, Roquefort or Gorgonzola. The salty cheese and honeyed wine make a particularly satisfying pairing.
- Foie gras and pâté: Serve a small glass alongside foie gras or a smooth pâté, with toasted brioche or good bread.
- Cured ham: Thin slices of air-dried ham provide a savoury contrast to the wine's fruit and sweetness.
- Fruit desserts: Apricot tart, baked pears and citrus-based puddings can echo the flavours in the wine.
- Hungarian cakes: Try Aszú with a small slice of zserbó, a layered Hungarian cake with walnut, apricot and chocolate.
- Aromatic dishes: A gently spiced dish or roast duck with a fruit-based sauce can work beautifully with the wine's richness and freshness.
For a wider selection of ideas, read our guide to pairing Tokaji wine with food.
How to Serve Tokaji Aszú
Serve Aszú lightly chilled, generally around 10–12°C. This keeps its sweetness fresh while allowing its fruit, floral aromas and more developed notes to come through.
A small white-wine glass is a good choice. No need for a tiny glass: a little room lets you appreciate the wine's aroma and how it changes as it warms slightly. Holding the glass by its stem also helps avoid warming the wine too quickly.
Pour modest servings and enjoy the wine slowly. If the bottle has been in a very cold fridge, give it a few minutes in the glass before tasting.
For more on temperature, opened bottles and longer-term storage, see our guide to serving and storing Tokaji.
How Is Aszú Different from Other Sweet Tokaji Wines?
Tokaji Aszú and Szamorodni
Both can offer the honeyed, fruit-rich flavours associated with noble rot, but the grapes are selected differently. For Aszú, the noble-rotted berries are picked individually. For Szamorodni, whole bunches containing a mixture of healthy and affected berries are harvested and processed together.
Sweet Szamorodni is often a more approachable introduction to Tokaj's sweet wines. Szamorodni can also be made in a dry style, whereas Aszú is a sweet wine. Learn more in our guide to sweet and dry Szamorodni.
Tokaji Aszú and Late Harvest Wine
Late Harvest is a broader style made from grapes picked later in the season. These wines can be fruity, floral and fresh, with their character depending on the grapes and producer.
Aszú follows a specific traditional method using individually selected noble-rotted berries. It is generally more concentrated and takes longer to produce. Our comparison of Late Harvest, Szamorodni and Aszú can help you choose between them.
Tokaji Aszú and Eszencia
Eszencia is a separate, exceptionally concentrated Tokaji speciality made from the juice that slowly flows under the weight of hand-picked aszú berries, without pressing. Its very high natural sugar means fermentation is slow, and the finished wine typically has much less alcohol than Aszú.
It is usually enjoyed in very small amounts. For a closer look, read our guide to Tokaji Eszencia.
Is Tokaji Aszú a Good Gift?
Yes. Tokaji Aszú makes a distinctive gift for a wine enthusiast, a dessert wine lover or a host who enjoys serving a memorable cheese course. Its history, careful production and rich flavours make it feel special, while the different producers and styles offer a choice for a range of occasions.
A 5 Puttonyos bottle is a welcoming introduction for someone new to Tokaj. For a significant birthday, anniversary or Christmas present, Gróf Degenfeld's gift-boxed 2017 is a particularly good choice, combining a traditional Tokaji style with independent recognition.
For more ideas, including mixed selections, explore our guide to choosing a Tokaji wine gift.
How We Choose Our Tokaji Wines
Our Tokaji range is selected by Best of Hungary co-founder Zoltan Kopacsi, whose wine education includes WSET Level 2 and postgraduate Wine Business Management studies at the University of Tokaj.
Zoltan has brought together Aszú wines from different producers and richness levels, from an accessible 5 Puttonyos introduction to more concentrated 6 Puttonyos bottles. The aim is to help you find a wine for your taste and occasion, whether you are exploring Tokaj for the first time or adding to a collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pronounce Tokaji Aszú?
A helpful English approximation is "TOH-kaw-yee AH-soo", with the emphasis on the first syllable of each word.
Does Tokaji Aszú improve with age?
Many well-made Aszú wines can develop additional complexity with careful bottle ageing, although the best drinking window depends on the individual wine and storage conditions. A mature bottle may show more developed dried-fruit, nutty or spice notes.
How long does Tokaji Aszú last after opening?
Recork the bottle and keep it refrigerated after opening. Its concentrated sweetness and acidity can help it keep longer than some lighter wines, but its aromas will gradually change. For the freshest experience, enjoy it over the following few days and taste it as you go.
Is Tokaji Aszú the same as Sauternes?
No. Both are celebrated sweet wines that can use noble-rotted grapes, but Tokaji Aszú comes from Hungary and has its own grape varieties and production method. Sauternes comes from Bordeaux in France. Our Tokaji and Sauternes comparison explores the similarities and differences.