Royal Tokaji Late Harvest, 2018

Tokaji (toke-EYE) is a classic dessert wine from Hungary, where winemakers are credited with being first, in the early 17th century, to realize the potential of grapes infected with the Botrytis fungus. Sweet, golden Tokaji wine – created more than a century before the botrytised wines of Germany or France – created a sensation in Europe. Tokaji quickly became a favorite of royalty, and was celebrated in song and verse, even earning a mention in the Hungarian national anthem. Quality wine production faltered during two World Wars and under Soviet nationalization, but in recent years Hungarian winemakers have restored the quality and selection of numerous fine wines, including Tokaji.