Furmint

Furmint carries the VIVC prime name Furmint, variety number 4292. VIVC records Hungary as its country of origin, which makes Hungary its likely homeland. Its parents are Alba Imputotato and Gouais Blanc, the latter listed under its prime name Heunisch Weiss, in a pedigree confirmed by DNA markers; this parentage rests on a single source. Furmint has offspring of its own: WineWiki's VIVC-derived lineage data links Hárslevelű and Zéta as its children.

• VIVC prime name: Furmint; VIVC variety number 4292; country of origin: Hungary
• Parents: Alba Imputotato and Gouais Blanc (Heunisch Weiss), confirmed by DNA markers (single source)
• Recorded offspring: Hárslevelű and Zéta

Furmint has its longest history in Hungary's far northeast corner, and its likely origin is the Tokaj region. The grape is first mentioned by name in 1611. In Tokaj, the warm, dry 2003 vintage brought wider change, with many wineries launching their own premium dry wines.

• First mentioned by name in 1611
• Likely origin: the Tokaj region of Hungary
• The 2003 vintage saw many Tokaj wineries launch premium dry wines

Furmint is a full-bodied grape variety. Its acidity is notably high. Alcohol levels are moderate. The variety is relatively neutral, with low aromatic intensity, and Caroline Gilby MW writes in Decanter that this neutrality lets it express terroir. Across styles Furmint keeps its high acidity: Decanter's Caroline Gilby MW describes it as capable of producing everything from delicate sparkling wines to lusciously sweet styles, "always with its hallmark acidity". Even under the toasty character lees ageing brings to sparkling Furmint, traces of honey and quince are clues to the grape's varietal character.

In Hungary, Furmint is the cornerstone of Tokaji production in the Tokaj region, which lies in the country's north-east corner. Thanks to Tokaj's moderate-to-cool climate, the grape can reach full ripeness while keeping its high acidity, and Tokaj's terroir is volcanic. Beyond Hungary, Furmint is grown in Slovenia, where it is known as Šipon, and in Croatia, Slovakia and Romania; Austria also has plantings.

• Cornerstone of Tokaji production in Hungary's Tokaj region
• Moderate-to-cool climate and volcanic terroir in Tokaj
• Known as Šipon in Slovenia
• Also grown in Croatia, Slovakia, Romania and Austria

Furmint is susceptible to raisining and to noble rot, known as aszú in Hungary's Tokaji. Genetically, it is a half-sibling of Riesling and Chardonnay.

• Susceptible to raisining and noble rot
• Half-sibling of Riesling and Chardonnay

Furmint is a versatile grape. Alongside its role in sweet wines, it can produce powerful, complex dry whites that are food-friendly and suit a variety of cuisines, and it has gained momentum as a single varietal dry wine. Furmint is traditionally a prime component of sweet Tokaji Aszú, a botrytis-infused wine. Late-harvest Furmint is made in Tokaj, and local producers there have also started to make sparkling wines from the grape. Tokaj in particular is building a reputation for dry Furmint worth ageing.

• Makes sparkling, dry and lusciously sweet styles
• Sweet wines combine good acid with ageing potential
• Dry Furmint is food-friendly and suits a variety of cuisines
• Traditionally a prime component of Tokaji Aszú

Primary sources: https://www.vivc.de/index.php?r=passport%2Fview&id=4292 Reference sources: https://www.jancisrobinson.com/learn/grape-varieties/white/furmint ; https://www.decanter.com/wine/grape-varieties/furmint-white-52719/ ; https://www.decanter.com/premium/the-ageing-potential-of-furmint-in-tokaj-432059/ ; https://www.decanter.com/decanter-best/sparkling-furmint-from-tokaj-eight-wines-to-try-476666/ ; https://www.decanter.com/decanter-world-wine-awards/furmint-february-the-versatile-grape-winning-global-acclaim-453902/ Last verified 2026-10-19