124. Tokaj - Climate, Grape Growing, and Noble Rot | WSET Level 3 Prep Preview

Episode 124: Tokaj - Climate, Grape Growing, and Noble Rot | WSET Level 3 Prep Preview

Host: Joanne Close Episode Length: 8:54 Release Date: August 13th 2026

Level 3 Prep

Looking for additional support with your WSET Level 3 studies?

Learn more about Level 3 Blueprint, Level 3 Prep, and Level 3 Prep Live here: https://www.wineeducate.com/level3prepcourse

Join the Wine Educate Newsletter

Get wine tips, episode updates, and exclusive content delivered to your inbox. Subscribe at https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter

Episode Description

This episode is a lesson straight from Joanne's Level 3 prep material, covering the region of Tokaj in northeastern Hungary. She walks through the climate and geography that make this region so well suited to noble rot, from the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains to the humidity generated by the Bodrog and Tisza rivers.

Joanne breaks down exactly how noble rot forms, why it is welcomed in Tokaj even though winemakers in other regions fight to keep it away, and why the combination of humid mornings and warm, sunny afternoons is essential to the process. She also explains the three main harvesting categories used in Tokaj and how they lead to different wine styles, along with the principal grape varieties, Furmint, Harslevelu, and Sarga Muskotaly, and the role each one plays in the finished wine.

If you have questions about this lesson or want to learn more about Level 3 prep, Joanne welcomes you to reach out directly by email.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

Tokaj Climate and Geography

• Location in northeastern Hungary near the Slovakian border, in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains
• The spelling distinction between Tokaj (the region and city) and Tokaji (the wine)
• Moderate climate with an average growing season temperature of 16.5 to 18.5 degrees Celsius
• South facing hillside vineyards that capture warmth
• The role of the Bodrog and Tisza rivers in generating morning humidity

Understanding Noble Rot

• What Botrytis cinerea is and how it behaves differently on black versus white grapes
• Why it's called gray rot when unwanted and noble rot when beneficial
• How Botrytis punctures grape skins and why thin skinned grapes are more susceptible
• Why both humid mornings and sunny afternoons are needed for the process to work
• How dehydration concentrates acidity, flavor, and sugar in the grapes

Harvesting Categories in Tokaj

• Aszu, meaning rotten, harvested berry by berry
• Szarazsarbogyos, meaning as they come, harvested without sorting for botrytis
• Separate harvesting of unaffected, healthy bunches
• Why hand harvesting and multiple vineyard passes are required, and how this adds to production costs

Principal Grape Varieties

• Furmint, the hero grape, known for high acidity and flavors ranging from apple to nuts and honey with age
• Harslevelu, which contributes perfume and aromatic lift to the blend
• Sarga Muskotaly, the Tokaj name for Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains, used in smaller portions for its aromatic character

Episode Highlights and Quotes

"You need both in order for Botrytis to slowly and successfully dehydrate these grapes."

"This is why hand picking is essential. Workers will go through and harvest the individual berries."

"Furmint's late ripening and susceptibility to botrytis make it ideal for aszu, and together these factors explain why Tokaj is one of the world's greatest noble rot regions."

Quick Reference: Tokaj at a Glance

Region: Tokaj, northeastern Hungary, foothills of the Carpathian Mountains

Key rivers: Bodrog and Tisza

Growing season temperature: 16.5 to 18.5 degrees Celsius

Principal grapes: Furmint, Harslevelu, Sarga Muskotaly

Harvest categories: Aszu (individually picked rotten berries), Szarazsarbogyos (as they come), and separately picked unaffected bunches

Key fungus: Botrytis cinerea, known as noble rot when beneficial

Resources Mentioned Level 3 Prep

Looking for additional support with your WSET Level 3 studies?

Learn more about Level 3 Blueprint, Level 3 Prep, and Level 3 Prep Live here: https://www.wineeducate.com/level3prepcourse

Coming Up Next

Episode 125: Nebbiolo

Joanne returns to the Level 2 grape series with a lesson on Nebbiolo, chosen by newsletter readers as the next grape to cover.

Connect with Wine Educate

Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter - sign up for wine tips, quizzes, and episode updates delivered to your inbox every week.

Website: https://www.wineeducate.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wineeducate

Never miss an episode. Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review and share it with fellow wine lovers. Reviews are the best way to help other WSET students find the show.

About Wine Educate

Wine Educate is a WSET Approved Programme Provider offering internationally recognized wine certification courses. Through the podcast, Joanne Close makes wine education accessible to everyone, breaking down complex topics into practical, easy-to-understand lessons. Whether you are studying for your WSET certification or simply want to learn more about wine, you will find the guidance and knowledge you need to enjoy wine with confidence.

Episode 124 of the Wine Educate Podcast | Hosted by Joanne Close | © 2025 Wine Educate