Chateau Dereszla | Tokaji

To understand Chateau Dereszla is to understand the history of Tokaj itself. With cellars dating back to the early 15th century, this estate once served as a collection point for wines owed to the King of Hungary. It is a place where history is etched into the walls of the distinct underground labyrinth that snakes for over a kilometre beneath the village of Bodrogkeresztúr.

However, Dereszla is not a museum piece. In the early 2000s, the estate underwent a profound transformation under the stewardship of the d'Aulan family, historic owners of Champagne Piper-Heidsieck. This investment brought a level of precision and "Champagne polish" to the winemaking that revitalised the estate, merging ancient tradition with modern excellence.

Today, Chateau Dereszla is once again under Hungarian ownership and stands as a beacon of the region. They are masters of the full spectrum of Tokaj. Their dry wines, built around the indigenous Furmint grape, are electric - marked by a volcanic minerality and crisp apple freshness that rivals the best Chablis.

Yet, it is their sweet wines that remain the crown jewels. Produced from shrivelled, botrytised berries ('Aszú'), these are wines of immense complexity, layering honeycomb, apricot, and spice with a laser-like acidity that ensures they remain fresh for decades.

Whether dry or sweet, a bottle from Chateau Dereszla is a taste of royalty.