A TERROIR MADE FOR ASZÚ
Disznókő, is one of the most favourable sites for aszú grape development in the Tokaj wine region. Several physical factors ensure that the perfect aszú grape develops:
CLIMATE
Cold winters, short springs and long hot summers usually stretch into an extended Indian summer. The warm days followed by cool nights in autumn bring morning mists necessary for the Botrytis cinerea development. The humidity originates from the nearby rivers Bodrog and Tisza, as well as marshy land on the edge of the Great Hungarian Plain.
LOCATION
The Disznókő estate is among the warmest in the region, based in the southern part of the wine region. Its vineyards are situated on very sunny slopes on the mainly south, south-west, south-east facing plots:
- heated by constant summer warmth
- protected from cold winter winds, frost and summer storms by the Zemplén Mountains to the north
- the lowlands (the Great Hungarian Plain, known as Puszta, to the south) with rivers and marshy areas in front of the vineyards provide morning mist which helps the botrytis to install and develop. The west-east warm winds coming from the Puszta benefit the shrivelling of the grapes.
ALTITUDE
135 to 220m above sea level. Though it may not seem particularly high, the height is gained in a very short distance from the Great Hungarian Plain immediately in front which lies at only around 80m. The vineyards are planted on the hillsides; some are held by terraces.
THE SOIL
Even though Disznókő's vineyard is in one single piece, there is great diversity of soils depending on the sites and the height. They are mostly clay soils, settled on rhyolite and rhyolite tuff, a volcanic rock rich in minerals. They are structured soils with good water retaining ability and they warm up easily to radiate heat towards the vines. The soils have a neutral or slightly acidic pH and a well-balanced nutrition content. The rich mineral content of the volcanic soil adds a unique "fire" to our wines. Getting to know every detail of our soils and keeping them alive with the most natural way, is a key to ensure the quality and the style of Disznókő wines.