Furmint February: 15 award-winning wines to try

Primarily grown in Hungary, Furmint is the key grape variety for deliciously sweet Tokaji, but has proven itself a versatile variety to watch in Hungary and beyond.

As wine expert and Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) Regional Chair for North, Central and Eastern Europe Caroline Gilby MW explains, ‘over recent years Furmint has quietly been building a reputation as a variety to watch: with multiple claims for joining the ranks of great white grapes.

‘Incredibly versatile, it has some similarities to Riesling – able to go from bone dry, crisp and vibrant all the way to intensely sweet, though always with its hallmark steely acidity.’

Scroll down to see 15 award-winning Furmint wines to try from DWWA 2023

Darrel Joseph, Senior judge at the 2023 competition, adds that Furmint is a grape variety ‘not to be missed.’ He continues, ‘although it is traditionally used as a prime component of sweet, luscious Tokaji Aszú, it has gained impressive momentum also as a single varietal dry wine.’

The flagship grape variety of Hungary, quality versions of Furmint can also be found in neighbouring Croatia and Slovenia, where it is known as Šipon.

To celebrate Furmint February and draw attention to this worthy grape variety, below we highlight a selection of award-winning sparkling, dry and sweet styles worth discovering from the 2023 DWWA.

Furmint February: 15 award-winning wines to try

Sparkling

Štampar, Urban White Extra Brut, Zagorje – Međimurje, Continental, Croatia 2020
Gold, 95 points
The wine exhibits a superb balance, with fine bubbles and fresh acidity that complement its delicately yeasty, rounded palate and honeyed nose. It’s highly enjoyable and is sure to win over numerous admirers. Alcohol 12.5%

Kreinbacher Birtok, Prestige Brut, Wine of Hungary NV
Silver, 94 points
Complex aromas of baked citrus, yogurt, stone fruit and touches of toast and brioche. Saline on the palate, serious finish. Alc 12%

Dvanajščak Rajka, DK Pozoj Brut Nature, Zagorje – Međimurje, Continental, Croatia NV
Silver, 92 points
A fresh and vibrant wine with notes of citrus, green apple, peach, honey and a little saltiness. Long, floral finish. Alc 12%

Dry

Oremus, Mandolás Furmint, Tokaj, Hungary 2020
Platinum, 97 points
Energising salty ripe fruit and crushed oyster shells layer together nicely with a spectrum of earthy and nutty flavours. Beaming with concentration and power with a searing line of yellow citrus acidity and a saline finish. Very enjoyable. Alc 13.5%

Tokaj-Hétszőlő, Selection, Tokaj, Hungary 2011
Platinum, 97 points
Luxuriously mature with a tertiary complexity of smoky pear, lime and blood orange emboldened by a fine vein of vivid acidity surging towards the long lavish finish. Packed with personality and character, a must try! Alc 13%

Dobogó Pincészet, Úrágya, Tokaj, Hungary 2019
Gold, 95 points
Bristling with juicy exotic fruit and salty mineral characters, with a solid, elaborate structure and remarkable purity flowing through to a long and delectable finish. Alc 12.46%

Cmrečnjak, Pušipel Mađerka Sur Lie, Zagorje – Međimurje, Continental, Croatia 2021
Gold, 95 points
This wine exhibits ripe and complex aromas of peach and nectarine. The palate is lively and refreshing with well-integrated oak and an abundance of stone fruit and vanilla flavours. Long finish. Alc 12.5%

Balassa Winery, Szent Tamás Furmint, Tokaj, Hungary 2021
Silver, 94 points
Fresh pear and quince aromas with subtle notes of ak and citrus. Mineral on the palate, with a vibrant acidity. Alc 14%

Medium Dry

Antalóczy Pince, Furmint, Tokaj, Hungary 2019
Gold, 96 points
Well crafted flinty minerals, toasted oak and vibrant florals mixing in lifted spice and warming almond characters; impeccably juicy and intense with a delicate fluidity. Alc 13%

Sweet

Gizella, Szamorodni, Tokaj, Hungary 2019
Platinum. 97 points
Smolderingly rich with vast swathes of succulent apricot, honeyed white peach, dried mango and passion fruit encased in a penetrating lime and grapefruit freshness. Decadent, full and rapturously luscious with a wonderfully long youthful finish. Alc 11%

Balassa Winery, Villő, Tokaj, Hungary 2019
Gold, 96 points
Lush candied orange peel, marmalade, baked yellow peach and nectarine with an intensely sweet core and oily texture counterbalanced by a zippy freshness. Delicious, will age beautifully. Alc 9%

Dobogó Pincészet, Tokaj, Hungary 2018
Gold, 96 points
Showstopping aromas of toasted almond flakes, fleshy white peach, dried tropical fruit and a lick of mint, with an all-encompassing glycerine texture and a long, memorable finish. Alc 10.77%

Patricius Borház, Aszú 6 Puttonyos, Tokaj, Hungary 2018
Gold, 96 points
An arresting and sensual sweetness of dried apricot, tangerine, honeysuckle and pear with a glossy sheen of new oak and an underlying surreptitious herbal tea fragility. Alc 11.5%

Béres Szőlőbirtok, Aszú 6 Puttonyos, Tokaj, Hungary 2016
Gold, 95 points
A tour de force with myriad candied orange peel, tangerine and dried apricot characters with a searing backbone of lemon acidity and a vibrant finish. Alc 9.29%

Sauska, Aszú, Tokaj, Hungary 2017
Gold, 95 points
Mesmerising candied yellow flowers, dried apricot, quince and orange peel languish in this vivid and sumptuous treat; enthralling and moreish with a refreshing, elegant finish. Alc 11.5%