Furmint

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Furmint
Gouais Blanc
Notable winesTokaji
Formation of seedsComplete
Sex of flowersHermaphrodite
VIVC number4292

Furmint (also known as Mainak) is a white

late ripening variety. For dry wines the harvest starts usually in September, however sweet wine specific harvest can start in the second half of October or even later, and is often affected by Botrytis.[2]

The name Furmint may have been taken from the word froment for the wheat-gold color of the wine it produces. While it is possible that the grape was brought to Hungary in the 13th century during the reign of King

ampelographers believe that the grape is likely native to the region.[5]

History

Furmint has been growing in the Tokaji region of north-eastern Hungary since at least the late 16th century when a document dated May 15, 1571 described the grape growing in the Hétszőlő vineyard in Tokaj. In 1611, the grape was also noted to have been growing in the Gyepű Valley of the Zemplén Mountains near the town of Erdőbénye, about 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of Tokaj.[5]

While many other wine grapes have been used in the production of the historic Tokaji dessert wine, Furmint's use for the wine was well established by at least the late 18th century when, in 1796, the Hungarian politician János Dercsényi described Furmint as the "genuine Tokaji Aszú" grape.[5]

Origins

Gouais blanc, one of the likely parent varieties of Furmint.

In the early 21st century,

Hunnic grape Gouais blanc. As Gouais blanc, has been noted in documents since the early Middle Ages and has been well established as the parent of several grape varieties such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Elbling and Gamay, ampelographers believe that Furmint is likely the offspring of Gouais blanc instead of the other way around.[5]

DNA analysis also suggested that parent-offspring relationships exist with the Hungarian wine grape Hárslevelű and the Swiss wine grape Plantscher but instead of either being the second parent to Furmint with Gouais blanc, ampelographers believe that it is more likely that Furmint is one of the parent variety for both grapes.[5]

Like

color mutation known as Piros Furmint. As nearly all of these clones are found, almost exclusively, within the Tokaji region, ampelographers believe that it is highly probable that Furmint originated in this part of Hungary.[5]

Other theories

Furmint may have been introduced to Hungary during the reign of King Béla IV.

Other theories of Furmint's origins have the grape being introduced to the

Mongolian invasion of Hungary, Béla wanted to quickly revive the country's devastated vineyards. The king instituted several policies encouraging mass immigration of people knowledgeable in viticulture and winemaking.[3] Many of the immigrants that heeded Béla's call brought new grape varieties with them - one of which may have been Furmint.[2][4]

Another theory has the grape being introduced even early by Italian missionaries during the reign of

Italian fromento for "wheat" due to his wheat-colored, reddish blonde beard, was granted the title of Count of Formentin by Empress Maria Theresa. In gratitude, according to this legend, the Count sent grapevines from his native land to the Empress who had them planted in Tokaji.[5]

However, ampelographers often dismiss these Italian origin theories because, in addition to documentation showing Furmint growing in Hungary before the Seven Years' War, DNA evidence has not connected Furmint to any

Italian grape variety (as a sibling or, more likely, a parent through a natural crossing) which would seem unlikely if Furmint did originate in Italy.[5]

Other theories for Furmint's origin note the grape's similarities to the Savoy wine grape Altesse and speculate that the grape may have originated there or even in Byzantium where, according to legend, Altesse was brought back to Savoy in 1367 by Amadeus VI, Count of Savoy. The Syrmia region with Serbia has also been listed as one potential birthplace for the grape.[5]

Viticulture

Furmint grape cluster and leaf from Viala et Vermorel's 1901-1910 ampelography texts.

Furmint is a late-ripening grape variety that also tends to

irrigation sources.[5]

In Hungary, Furmint has shown a high degree of genetic diversity with several clones and color mutation of the grape being propagated in the Tokaji region. Several of these clones, including the Fehér (white), Holyagos and Madárkás clones were well known and in production prior to World War II. Other common clones of Furmint used in wine production includes the loose-berried Lazafürtű and the Változó (variable) clone and the pink-skinned color mutation of Piros Furmint. Ampelographers have noted the proliferation of so many clones of Furmint found almost exclusively in the Tokaj region of Hungary are strong indicators that the grape likely originated in this region as opposed to be introduced from another area.[5]

Relationship to other grapes

The Hungarian wine grape Zéta (also known as Oremus) is a crossing of Furmint and Bouvier which, like Furmint, is often used in the production of Tokaji.

DNA profiling conducted at the University of Zagreb has shown Furmint to be likely to have a parent-offspring relationship with Gouais blanc, which similar research elsewhere has shown to be a parent of numerous other varieties, making Furmint a half-sibling to nearly 80 different grape varieties. Furmint has also been confirmed to be the same grape as the Croatian white variety Moslavac.[2]

Currently, there are only two known (or suspected) natural crossings of Furmint—the Tokaji wine grape Hárslevelű and the Swiss wine grape Plantscher. In 1937, Furmint was

Riesling Italico) and Fubiano (with Trebbiano) and the Hungarian grape Oremus/Zéta (with Bouvier).[5]

Confusion with other varieties

Furmint shares a wide range of

Eastern European countries difficult.[1]

The grape shares some

morphological similarities with the Savoy wine grape Altesse and has been historically confused with the French wine grape variety. In Hungary, Furmint is sometimes confused with Kéknyelű while on the island of Korčula, in Croatia, the grape has been confused with Pošip. The Romanian wine grape Grasă de Cotnari and the Bosnian wine grape Žilavka also shares several synonyms with Furmint and are, thusly, often confused with the grape.[5]

Wine regions

Village level Furmint

In 2006, there were 4,006 hectares (9,900 acres) of Furmint in cultivation in Hungary, more than 97% of which found in the

Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County, the grape has a long history of being used for dry wine production as well.[5]
Dry Furmint came to the attention of wine connoisseurs and experts of the world when the Úrágya 2000 single vineyard selection was introduced by István Szepsy. The wine expressed great minerality, complexity and structure, which has been experienced only in the finest white wines of historic regions like Burgundy or the Mosel before. The aging potential was also promising. In 2003 more producers of Mád village produced single vineyard selected dry Furmint wines with great success. Mád village with its almost 1200 ha had the opportunity to produce high quality dry Furmint wine in significant quantity as a commune level wine, which can express the unique volcanic terroir of the region.

Vineyards in the Tokaj-Hegyalja region where Furmint is most widely planted.

Outside Hungary

Outside Hungary, it is found planted around the

South Africa.[2] In Austria it is most commonly found in Burgenland (where is known as Zapfner)) and Styria (where it is known as Mosler).[1]

In the

Rust) have been rediscovering the grape's potential in their area.[1] In 2010, there were 9 hectares (22 acres) of the grape in cultivation in Austria, mostly around Rust.[5]

Across the border from Hungary, in

Slovakia, Furmint is most commonly used in the production of sweet wines in the Tokaj region that includes several towns within the Trebišov District: Bara, Čerhov, Černochov, Malá Tŕňa, Slovenské Nové Mesto, Veľká Tŕňa, and Viničky.[6][5]

In

Croatia (where it is also known as Moslavac) as well. Here the grape is almost always used to make dry style wine with 422 hectares (1,040 acres) of the variety in cultivation as of 2008. In Zagreb County of the Moslavina region, Croatian wine producers have also been experimenting with using Furmint in sparkling wines, often blended with Chardonnay and Pinot blanc.[5]

Furmint is most widely known for being a primary component of Tokaji wine.

In the

Sonoma County.[7]

Wines and styles

Furmint can be produced in a variety of styles ranging from bone dry to extremely sweet wines affected by

preservatives during the aging process.[2]

Dry styles of Furmint are characterized by their

apricots and barley sugar. As these dessert styles of Furmint age they will often develop more smokey and spicy notes of tobacco, tea, cinnamon and even chocolate.[1]

Synonyms

prädikat" wine from Međimurje County
, northern Croatia

Over the years, Furmint has been known under a variety of synonyms including: Allgemeiner, Alte Sestrebe, Arany Furmint, Beregi Furmint, Bieli Moslavac, Biharboros, Bihari Boros, Budai Goher, Cimigera, Csapfner, Csillagviraga Furmint, Damzemy, Demjen, Domjen, Edelweisser Tokayer, Edler weisser Furmint, Féher Furmint (in Tokaj), Formint, Formont, Fourminte, Furmint bianco, Furmint de Minis, Furmint Féher, Furmint Szagos, Furmint Valtozo, Gelber Moster, Gemeiner, Görgeny, Görin, Goher Féher, Gorin, Grasă de Cotnari, Holyagos Furmint, Jardanszki Furmint, Keknyelü, Keresztesevelu Furmint, Kiraly Furmint, Krhkopetec, Lazafürtű Furmint (in Tokaj), Ligetes Furmint, Luttenberger, Madarkas Furmint, Mainak, Maljak, Malmsey, Malnik, Malvasia verde, Malvoisie verte, Malzak, Mehlweiss, Moscavac bijeli, Moslavac, Moslavac bijeli, Moslavac zuti, Moslavina, Mosler (in Austria), Mosler gelb, Mosler gelber, Moslertraube, Moslovac (in Croatia), Moslovez, Nemes Furmint, Poam Grasa, Poma Grasa, Poshipon, Pošip, Pošipbijeli, Pošipveliki, Pošip Vrgonski, Posipel, Posipon, Pospisel, Rongyos Furmint, Salver, Sari Furmint, Sauvignon Vert, Schimiger, Schmiger, Seestock, Seeweinrebe, Shipo, Shipon, Shiponski, Sipelj, Šipon (in Slovenia and northern Croatia), Som (in

Germany) and Zilavka.[8][5]

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 0-15-100714-4
  2. ^
    ISBN 0-19-860990-6
  3. ^ a b DiWine Taste "Hungary wine" Issue 11, September 2003
  4. ^ a b Wein-Plus Glossar: "Hungary" Accessed: December 18th, 2009
  5. ^
    ISBN 978-1-846-14446-2
  6. ^ Cav. Subhash Arora "Tokaj wine region of Slovakia" Indian Wine Academy. April 15th, 2008
  7. ^ Appellation America "Furmint" Varietal Character Index, Accessed: May 13th, 2014
  8. ^ Vitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC) Furmint Archived 2014-03-15 at the Wayback Machine Accessed: May 13th, 2014
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