white grape · regional staple
Hárslevelű
Carpathian Basin, Hungary
Say it
haarsh·lev·eh·loo
Final -ű has no English equivalent; approximate as 'oo' with lips rounded and tongue in 'ee' position. Hungarian stress always falls on first syllable.
On the palate
white peachapricotlinden blossomhoneyquincebaking spice
How you spot it blind: linden-honey aromatics with a characteristic spicy-salty finish
The story
First written down · 1723, Tokaj, Hungary
DNA analysis confirmed Hárslevelű is an offspring of Furmint crossed with Tzimlyansky Belyi, both native to the Carpathian Basin.
Where it lives
Tokaj, Hungary · Somló, Hungary · Mátra, Hungary · Slovak Tokaj, Slovakia
Shows up as
still whitesweetTokaji Aszú