You are an oenologist and the owner of Demeter Zoltán Vineyard, which you established in 1996. What is your "love story" with wine?
Wine is my instrument. Through it, I search for the "sound." It is a fortunate thing to search for these "sounds" in Tokaj and through Tokaji wine. Tokaji sweet wine is, in itself, the answer to many questions.
Your wines are often described as intellectual yet deeply expressive. How do you define your personal philosophy as a winemaker?
Wine should both entertain and develop you. It is one way of experiencing happiness. Beyond that, I would like anyone who tastes my wine to have an experience that subtly refines and adjusts their personality.
Your Aszú wines stand out for their balance and clarity - how do you approach sweetness so that it enhances rather than dominates?
The uniqueness of our sweet wines lies in their balance. Tokaji grape varieties retain their acidity during ripening, which guarantees this harmony.
How do you encourage wine lovers to move beyond sweetness levels and discover the complexity of Aszú?
Sweetness is one of life's greatest indulgences. Don't miss out on the experience that Tokaj offers.
You were the first to receive a license for making sparkling wine in Tokaj. It seemed like a risky bet - how do you perceive this endeavor now, after 13 years of producing sparkling wines?
Sparkling wine is also proof that Tokaj was created by God for grape growing and winemaking. Tokaj can achieve excellence in everything, including sparkling wine. However, one must be patient and consistent when reviving such an old Tokaji category (1829).
In a region with centuries of tradition, how do you balance respect for heritage with your own signature style?
Tokaji tradition stands on very solid foundations, but each era's participants are obliged to fine-tune it. This fine-tuning requires vision, openness, and style. Without change, there is no permanence.
Although your wines -and some others from Tokaj - have gained international acclaim, what do you think the global fine wine audience still misunderstands about Tokaj?
The international descriptive and winemaking community understands and greatly appreciates Tokaj's uniqueness and its position in global wine culture. However, consumers know almost nothing about this world.
This is also part of the legacy we received, due to the 45-year "pause" in the second half of the last century.
It is a sad realization that my lifetime has not been enough to change this, although it would have been good to see that it could be.
The market is structured according to very serious rules, in which there is no place for sentimentality.
If you were asked to recommend some of your wines to someone open to new experiences, which would they be ?
2017 MT Sparkling
2024 TOKAJ Furmint
2021 Anett Szamorodni
2018 Aszú
