Wine Region: Tokaji

(2021) This is the special 50cl bottling for Waitrose that I've recommended in previous vintages, and which always pleases. Honey, glycerine and fig on the nose, then an unctuously thick palate of apricot and marmalade, full sweetness, and the acid has a certain creamy softness to it that smooths the picture, though of course is more than sufficient to balance. There's a nectarine juiciness here that offsets the viscous richness, in a pure and delightful wine. Watch the video for more information.

(2021) What a lovely wine this is. Abundantly fresh, green herb-flecked lemon and crunchy apple aromas lead on to a palate that is also cool, elegant and crisp, but has texture and presence too, a supple ripeness, mid-palate sweetness and creaminess to the fruit, but the dazzling, salt-licked freshness of the finish powers through. Watch the video for more information and food-matching ideas.

(2021) Furmint is the main grape of the famous sweet wines of Tokaji in Hungary, but more and more dry white wine examples are appearing on the shelves, including this very well priced and classy example that brims with succulent pear and apple fruit, a touch of herbal character, and a palate that has some weight and texture, a deal of sweet, ripe stone and orchard fruits, and excellent, gently saline acidity. For me the white wine star of the small selection from Lidl's Wine Tour tasted here.

(2020) Bottled exclusively for Waitrose in a very attractive 50cl format, Disznókő is a master of ensuring elegance and freshness, even in its sweetest wines - this is 5 Puttonyos, so will have at least 120g/l of residual sugar. A light gold in colour, the aromas are of apricot, honey and juicy mango or nectarine, vivacious and bright with a streak of lime, the more subtle creamy and barley sugar notes sit beneath. Apricot and a marmalade orange brightness and yet burnished depth on the palate, the acidity is exemplary in a delightful dessert wine for fruity tarts rather than Christmas pud, or for blue cheeses or indeed, to sip on its own at the end of a meal.

(2019) I'm a fan of Disznókő's regular dry Tokaji, but this new wine takes selected small plots of Furmint and blends 17% Harslevelu, the two main grapes of sweet Tokaji, and ages the components in 225-litre and 500-litre barrels to quite different effect. In some ways it reminds me of a good Chablis, mineral and taut, yet with an undeniable fruit density at its core. Hints of salts and leafy green herbs join cool orchard fruits on the nose, just a touch of nutty barrel character, with a super-dry palate that has natural concentration to spare, real pithy citrus intensity, and spices adding to the lingering finish. Intense and yet quite subtle in its way, it a lovely, intelligent wine from Disznókő. Watch the video for more information and food-matching ideas.

(2019) A bone dry white wine made in the Tokaji region, from one of the varieties that is a mainstay of the region's famous sweet wines, this has a subtle creaminess but is mostly about minerals and sea-shells, a dry apple core character that is very 'serious' in the way that a good Chablis would be, the juicy apple fruitiness always tensioned and restrained by its acidity and taut, linear structure. A banker for white fish and seafood, with Sole meunière or a big bowl of mussels an absolute dream. Watch the video for more information.

(2019) We are seeing quite a few dry Furmint wines on the market these days - 10 years ago, very few would have heard of the grape. Though making sweet Tokaji wines, as a variety it was very, very rarely seen on a label. This is a particularly vivacious and boldly-fruited example, the nose mixing lots of zesty citrus with a hint of gooseberry and even lychee. In the mouth it bursts with flavour - loads of salty and lemony acid as it's backbone, but intense, clear fruit that is concentrated and textured - very good mouthfeel here. Long and impressive. For Daily Drinker Club members the price is £12.38.

(2018) From the organic vineyards of Count Degenfeld, this is 'Szamorodni'. That means it was vinified from bunches containing a good proportion of Botrytis-affected grapes, unlike Tokaji Aszú, which is made only from hand-picked Botrytised grapes. Sweet and clean, with plenty of honey and light tobacco notes, dried apricot and zesty lemon. Lightly silky rather than viscous on the palate, it has a fine delicate but definite sweetness, a touch of chamomile tea, lovely fruit and excellent acidity. It's reminiscent of a later harvest New World Riesling in some ways, but delightful and all set for lighter, fruity desserts or blue cheeses. Good value at the Wine Tour price (for 50cl).

(2018) If you haven't come across the crisp, dry table wines of the Tokaji region of Hungary as yet, then chances are you will soon as they increase in popularity. Made from one of sweet Tokaji's main grapes, Furmint, this is feather-light with 11.5% alcohol and is a lime and flower-infused white that's all about freshness and zing, some sweeter, more ripe red apple juiciness running into that clear citrus acidity. Very enjoyable and all set for summer at its £4.99 price. Watch the video for more information and food-matching ideas.

(2017) An exceptionally fine Tokaji this, last tasted by me at the winery back in 2011, and now absolutely singing with clear notes of honey, glycerine, tea and bergamot, deep notes of coffee and high notes of white flowers. In the mouth luscious and sweet, the tang of Seville orange marmalade, but a shimmering, silky acidity and energy gives wonderful balance as it flows across the tongue. An absolute treat now, but will age for decades. Price is for 50cl. For more information and food matching ideas, please watch the video.