Fifth Tokaj auction breaks records

The fifth ‘Great Tokaj Auction’ raised a record €116,000 (36 million Hungarian forints) when it was held on 22 April, a 20% increase on the 2016 sale.

All the lots bar one were sold and long-standing auctioneer, Nóra Winkler (pictured), commented: “When we started the first auction, we had high expectations – and we are exceedingly happy where we have come to and where we are going!”

There were wines from Barta, Demetervin, Disznókő, Grand Tokaj, Kvaszinger, Holdvölgy, Kikelet, Márton Birtok, Myrtus, Pajzos Tokaj, Samuel Tinon, Szent Benedek, Szepsy, Tokaj Hétszőlő; with wines including dry Furmints and Hárslevelűs to Aszús and Esszencia.

There was strong bidding for many wines including a 270-bottle parcel of Szepsy’s Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos 2011 which went for a record €38,710, split between buyers from Sweden to Hong Kong.

The amount raised for Tokaji Aszú produced by the region’s young winemakers and which are not sold commercially went up by a quarter. There was a “marked increase” for dry wines too it was reported.

Winemaker István Szepsy commented: “Quality is based on knowledge, and we are already at the next level. Consciousness of the region’s characteristics, varieties, terroir, Aszú berry development can always attain higher reaches.

“And this assists in positioning our wines. A wine’s value moves a region forward, and there is a clear need to establish the value. The auction plays a very important role in this repositioning.”

Organised by the Confrérie de Tokaj, the auction is just one component of a wider weekend dedicated to Tokaji.

In addition to the sale there was a pre-auction blind tasting offering dry and sweet wines from several producers and for the first time this year the ‘Tokaj Fair’ was held; offering three masterclasses including tastings of 2013 dry Furmints and 2013 Aszús and Riedel explained the mechanics of its Furmint glass.

The next Tokaj Auction and Fair will be held next year from 20-22 April.