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🍇 Furmint

Also known as: Sipon
Pronunciation: FOOR-mint /ˈfʊrmɪnt/
White Origin: Tokaj, Hungary

About Furmint

Furmint is the principal grape of Tokaji Aszú, one of the world's great sweet wines. It's thin-skinned and susceptible to botrytis, producing intensely concentrated sweet wines, though dry versions are increasingly prized.

Wine Colour & Appearance

Typical colour: Deep gold to amber (sweet)

Pale (dry) to deep gold (sweet)

Colour Variations by Region

Tokaji Aszú: Deep amber-gold
Intensity Pale to Deep
Clarity Brilliant
Viscosity Medium to Very High

Wine Characteristics

Body
Medium to Full
Acidity
Very High
Sweetness
Dry to Very Sweet
Alcohol
12–13%

Based on available examples, dry Furmint wines typically range from 12.0% to 13.0% ABV. Some sources suggest alcohol levels may increase slightly in certain regions.

Aroma & Flavour Profile Le Nez du Vin Reference →

Aromas (Nose) [Le Nez aroma]

  • Citrus
  • Apple [M09 apple]
  • Smoke
  • Mineral
  • Honey [M27 honey]
  • Apricot [M19 apricot]

Flavours (Palate)

  • Citrus
  • Mineral
  • Honey (sweet)
  • Long finish

The Nose

Furmint offers a fascinating aromatic profile, beginning with primary notes of crisp orchard fruit like pear and apple, often alongside bright citrus hints of grapefruit. As it ages, secondary aromas of flinty minerality and a unique, almost petrol-like edge emerge, building complexity. With further maturation, tertiary notes of honey, dried apricot, and even a subtle smokiness can develop, adding layers of intriguing depth.

The Palate

Furmint wines offer a compelling palate profile defined by bracing, citrus-driven acidity and a medium body that feels surprisingly substantial. While typically dry, these wines showcase flavors of lemon juice, pineapple, and sometimes a subtle saline minerality, with a distinct lack of overt fruitiness in many expressions. Though a white wine, Furmint can possess a pleasant textural component from phenolic compounds, hinting at a subtle structure reminiscent of white tea.

Viticulture

Climate:
Cool|Moderate
Soil:
Limestone and Clay soils preferred.
Training:
Bush vine or VSP trellising.
Harvest:
Late season

Grape Morphology

Skin Thickness
Medium
Berry Size
Small
Bunch Tightness
Medium
Botrytis Susceptibility
High

Winemaking Notes

Oak Affinity
Low
Oxidation Tendency
Moderate
MLC Typical
Rarely
Ageing Potential
10-20 years

Blending Partners

Hárslevelű

Adds floral aromas and softens Furmint's acidity; a classic Tokaji blend.

Muscat

Provides aromatic complexity and enhances floral notes in Tokaji.

Olaszrizling (Welschriesling)

Adds freshness and fruitiness, often used in dry Furmint blends.

Zéta

Contributes acidity and structure to blends.

Sárga Muskotály (Yellow Muscat)

Aromatic lift and complexity.

Notable Regions

Tokaj, Hungary Tokaj is historically renowned for its sweet wines made from Furmint, often affected by noble rot (botrytis). It's considered the birthplace of Tokaji Aszú.
Bükk, Hungary The Bükk district in Upper Hungary is a key growing area for Furmint, producing both dry and sweet styles.
Sopron, Hungary Sopron historically produced sweet Furmint wines, though now focuses more on dry reds, it remains a notable region for the grape.
Burgenland (Rust), Austria Rust in Burgenland is a traditional home of Furmint, used in the production of 'Ausbruch' – a sweet wine similar to Tokaji.
Međimurje, Croatia Međimurje, Croatia's smallest and coldest wine region, is gaining recognition for its sparkling Furmint wines.
Mátra, Hungary Mátra is a Hungarian wine region where Furmint is grown, contributing to the diversity of Hungarian white wines.
Eger, Hungary Eger is a significant Hungarian wine region where Furmint is cultivated, known for both dry and sweet expressions of the variety.

Region Map

Old World vs New World

Understanding regional style differences helps identify origin in blind tasting.

🏰 Old World (Europe)

Hungary, Austria, Slovenia

🌎 New World (Americas, Australasia)

Rarely planted in the New World.

Key Tells for Blind Tasting

Very high acid + Tokaj + sweet or dry

Similar Grapes & Lateral Confusion

These grapes are commonly confused with Furmint in blind tasting. Here's how to tell them apart:

Hárslevelű

Why confused: tokaj_partner

How to distinguish: Hárslevelű is more floral, honeyed

Blind Tasting Tips

Key identifiers: (Sweet) Deep gold, intensely honeyed, very high acidity. (Dry) Mineral, smoky, fresh.

Vintage History

Notable vintages for Furmint:

2023
Tokaj faced challenges in 2023, but still produced elegant dry Furmint and Aszú wines, albeit in smaller quantities.
2022 90 pts
The 2022 Sauska Furmint, Tokaj, Hungary received a score of 90/100, indicating a high-quality vintage for this producer.
2020
Furmint's depth and minerality were key characteristics in 2020, showcasing the grape's consistent quality.
2017
Details for 2017 are limited in provided text, but the general trend suggests continued focus on quality dry Furmint production.
2016
2016 Furmint wines demonstrated the grape's depth and minerality, reacting well to barrel and oak quality.
2015
The 2015 Demeter Zoltan “Veres” Furmint showed pale greenish gold color and scored around 8.5, indicating a promising vintage.
2014
Despite challenges, 2014 produced elegant dry Furmint and Aszú wines in smaller quantities, showcasing high quality.

Food Pairings

🌱 Plant-Based & Vegetarian
Fruit dessertsve Blue cheese
🍖 Classic Pairings
Foie gras (sweet) Seafood (dry)

Parentage & Genetics

Parents: Gouais Blanc × Unknown

Clones

Furmint Clone 1 — Hungary

Early budding, moderate yield, known for producing wines with high acidity and potential for botrytis. Considered a 'classic' Tokaji Furmint.

Furmint Clone 2 — Hungary

Late budding, lower yield, produces wines with concentrated flavors and good structure. Often used for Aszú production.

Furmint Clone 3 — Hungary

Moderate budding and yield. Exhibits good resistance to fungal diseases. Produces wines with balanced acidity and fruit character.

Furmint Clone 5 — Hungary

High vigor, high yielding. Produces wines with lighter body and aromatic profile. Suitable for dry Furmint wines.

Bibliography

Books and articles about Furmint:

"Furmint study: investigating the dry wines from Hungary's famous white ..." by Unknown (2021)
Vines for Wines: A Wine Lover's Guide to the Top Wine Grape Varieties by Unknown (2025)
"the future of furmint and olaszrizling in hungary: war or peaceful coexistence" by Unknown (Unknown)
"Furmint – Hungary's Flagship White" by Unknown (2019)
"In a ferment about Furmint" by Unknown (2020)
← Back to Grape Encyclopaedia
Page created: 28 January 2026 | Last updated: 30 January 2026

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Wine Colour

This section shows the typical appearance of wines made from this grape:

  • Colour swatches — Visual examples from young to aged expressions
  • Intensity — How deep or pale the colour typically appears
  • Clarity — Whether wines are typically clear, hazy, or have sediment
  • Viscosity — The "legs" or "tears" you see on the glass

Characteristics

Key structural elements that define the wine:

  • Acidity — How tart or fresh the wine tastes (low to high)
  • Body — The weight and texture in your mouth (light to full)
  • Alcohol — Typical alcohol range, sometimes with regional variations
  • Sweetness — Dry, off-dry, or sweet (where applicable)

Tannins (Red Wines)

For red wines, this section describes the tannin profile:

  • Level — Low, medium, or high tannin content
  • Texture — Velvety, silky, grippy, chalky, or sandy
  • Location — Where you feel them (front teeth, gums, cheeks, back of mouth)
  • Ageing potential — How tannins evolve over time

Aroma and Flavour Profile

Aromas (nose) and flavours (palate) are listed separately:

  • The Nose — What you smell before tasting
  • The Palate — What you taste and feel in your mouth
  • Le Nez numbers — References like [M15] correspond to Le Nez du Vin aroma kit bottles (M = Masterkit, O = Oak, F = Faults)
Tip: Le Nez Reference Click the "Le Nez du Vin Reference" link in the Aroma section header to see the full aroma reference chart.

Viticulture

Growing conditions this grape prefers:

  • Climate — Cool, moderate, or warm climate preferences
  • Soil — Preferred soil types (limestone, clay, gravel, etc.)
  • Vigour — How vigorously the vine grows
  • Challenges — Common growing difficulties (frost, rot, disease)

Notable Regions

Key wine regions where this grape excels:

  • Map thumbnails — Small preview maps for each region (where available)
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Old World vs New World

Compares how the grape is expressed in different regions:

  • Old World — Traditional European expressions (France, Italy, Spain, etc.)
  • New World — Modern expressions (Australia, USA, Chile, etc.)
  • Differences in style, ripeness, oak use, and flavour profiles

Similar Grapes

Grapes that are often confused with this variety in blind tasting:

  • Why confused — What characteristics they share
  • How to distinguish — Key differences to look for

Blind Tasting Tips

Practical guidance for identifying this grape when tasting blind:

  • Key markers to look for
  • Common pitfalls and look-alikes
  • Diagnostic characteristics that set it apart

Food Pairings

Suggested foods that complement wines from this grape:

  • Vegan/Vegetarian — Plant-based options listed first, marked (ve) for vegan
  • Classic pairings — Traditional meat and seafood matches