<strong>Limited edition: </strong>Only 20 bottles of this unique 1.5 liter decanter of Royal Tokaji Essencia 2008 exist, and 11 have already been sold.
Limited edition: Only 20 bottles of this unique 1.5 liter decanter of Royal Tokaji Essencia 2008 exist, and 11 have already been sold.
Courtesy Royal Tokaji Wine Company
<strong>Valuable vintage:</strong> The decanters were all specially hand blown by Hungarian-based artist James Carcass and come in lacquered black boxes.
Valuable vintage: The decanters were all specially hand blown by Hungarian-based artist James Carcass and come in lacquered black boxes.
Courtesy Royal Tokaji Wine Company
<strong>Fine vineyards: </strong>The Tokaji wines produced in Hungary's Tokaj wine region are reliant on botrytis cinerea mold, known as "noble rot."
Fine vineyards: The Tokaji wines produced in Hungary's Tokaj wine region are reliant on botrytis cinerea mold, known as "noble rot."
Courtesy Royal Tokaji Wine Company
<strong>Harvesting process: </strong>Essencia can only be made during years when the harvest is "exceptionally good," with more or less perfect conditions for botrytis.
Harvesting process: Essencia can only be made during years when the harvest is "exceptionally good," with more or less perfect conditions for botrytis.
Tamara Hardingham-Gill
<strong>Labor intensive:</strong> Around 20 kilograms of shriveled grapes are required for a 37.5 centiliter bottle of wine.
Labor intensive: Around 20 kilograms of shriveled grapes are required for a 37.5 centiliter bottle of wine.
Tamara Hardingham-Gill
<strong>Concentrated essence: </strong>The process of maturing Essencia is relatively simple, as "you just bottle it and leave it" to ferment.<br />
Concentrated essence: The process of maturing Essencia is relatively simple, as "you just bottle it and leave it" to ferment.
Tamara Hardingham-Gill
<strong>Unique product:</strong> The design of the Essencia 2018 decanter was apparently inspired by the wine "slowly dripping from the individually picked aszu berries."
Unique product: The design of the Essencia 2018 decanter was apparently inspired by the wine "slowly dripping from the individually picked aszu berries."
Courtesy Royal Tokaji wine company
<strong>Distinct flavor: </strong>Described as the "richest and rarest liquid gold," Essencia is one of the world's most concentrated sweet wines.
Distinct flavor: Described as the "richest and rarest liquid gold," Essencia is one of the world's most concentrated sweet wines.
Tamara Hardingham-Gill
<strong>Strong heritage: </strong>The project has helped to put Hungarian wine back in the spotlight again.<br />
Strong heritage: The project has helped to put Hungarian wine back in the spotlight again.
Courtesy Royal Tokaji Wine Company
<strong>Untapped potential:</strong> "The long winemaking traditions, the beneficial climate and the diversity of wine styles make it a great wine producing country, but the majority of production is still consumed locally," says Orsi Szentkiralyi, a London-based Hungarian wine professional.
Untapped potential: "The long winemaking traditions, the beneficial climate and the diversity of wine styles make it a great wine producing country, but the majority of production is still consumed locally," says Orsi Szentkiralyi, a London-based Hungarian wine professional.
Courtesy Royal Tokaji Wine Company