BALASSA Tokaji Furmint ‘Duck’ 2025

Balassa Tokaji Furmint 'Duck' is a fresh, mineral dry white wine from five Tokaj vineyards, with orchard fruit, floral notes and a gentle touch of oak.

Five Vineyards, One Expressive Tokaji Furmint

This expressive Tokaji Furmint brings together fruit from five vineyard sites. István Balassa uses the blend to capture the breadth of Tokaj, combining fragrant fruit, lively acidity and the salty mineral character that makes the region’s dry whites so distinctive.

Approachable yet full of character, 'Duck' is an inviting introduction to Hungarian white wine. It has enough freshness to enjoy on its own and enough texture and depth to pair with a wide range of dishes.

For drinkers who enjoy the citrus freshness and mineral character of Chablis, or the orchard-fruit flavours and texture of dry Loire Valley Chenin Blanc, it offers a distinctive Hungarian alternative.

Volcanic Soils and Balanced Winemaking

The grapes come from vineyards with clay and rhyolite-tuff soils. These sites give Balassa a varied palette of fruit and structure, creating a balanced expression of dry Tokaj.

Fermentation and maturation combine stainless steel tanks and oak barrels, preserving the wine’s bright fruit while developing texture and subtle spice. The result balances Furmint’s natural freshness with gentle richness and a lingering mineral finish.

91 Points from Stuart Pigott

Balassa Tokaji Furmint 'Duck' 2025 received an outstanding 91 points from wine critic Stuart Pigott in his report, TOKAJI: Dry and Very 21st Century! Dubbing it "The Cloudy Bay of Tokaj!", Pigott celebrated its "fresh, juicy and vibrant" personality, praising this crisp, refreshing bottling as a joyful, self-confidently modern expression of the Furmint grape with an animating touch of minerality on the finish.

Read Stuart Pigott’s original 91-point review of Balassa Tokaji Furmint 'Duck' 2025.

Tasting Notes

Pale gold in colour, Balassa 'Duck' opens with ripe orchard fruit, acacia blossom and chamomile, followed by delicate butterscotch and spice. The palate is finely textured, with subtle nuttiness and a distinctive salty mineral edge.

Lively acidity carries the fruit through a long, refreshing finish, where gentle oak spice adds detail without overwhelming the wine.

Food Pairing

This versatile dry Furmint works especially well with seafood, poultry and dishes with a little creamy richness. Try it with:

• Grilled trout, sea bass or roast chicken with lemon, herbs and spring vegetables.
• Mushroom risotto, truffle pasta or buttered noodles finished with black truffle oil.
• Comté, Gruyère or lightly smoked cheeses, especially with hazelnuts or roasted pear.
• A charcuterie board with lightly smoked meats, pickles and crusty bread.

A Wine Gift for Duck Lovers

With its distinctive illustrated duck label, Balassa 'Duck' makes a thoughtful wine gift for duck lovers and enthusiasts who enjoy good white wine. Its playful design also makes it a lovely bottle to bring to a dinner party or include in a food-and-wine hamper.

Serving and Keeping

Serve at 12–14°C in a medium-sized white-wine glass. Give it a few minutes in the glass to allow the fruit, floral aromas and subtle oak notes to open.

Once opened, reseal and refrigerate. The wine will remain enjoyable over the following days.

Technical Details

Balassa Winery, Tokaj

Founded in 2005 by István Balassa, Balassa Winery is a boutique Tokaj producer focused on wines with a clear sense of place. Close observation of individual vineyard parcels and careful cellar work guide a range spanning approachable dry Furmint, distinctive vineyard selections, and concentrated sweet wines.

Explore more wines from the region in our Tokaji wine collection.