Aszú Like It: The Sweetest Tour in Tokaj

After leaving town of Tokaj, our first, and perhaps most spectacular, stop—which serves as the grand starting point for our entire tasting journey—is the iconic Teresia Chapel (Terézia Kápolna) in the village of Tarcal. You will see that this elegant, white 18th-century structure, commissioned in honour of Empress Maria Theresa, sits majestically atop a hill (Terézia-domb). Its elevated placement is key: it is surrounded by vineyards, nestled among the esteemed, sun-drenched, First Growth slopes of the Mézesmály ('Honey Pot') vineyard. From this privileged vantage point, we will be granted a truly breathtaking, panoramic view of the entire Tokaj-Hegyalja landscape. This vista is a vital geographical lesson, revealing the exact conditions—the soil, the river-fed humidity—that allow the noble rot (Botrytis cinerea) to flourish and give birth to the world-renowned Tokaji Aszú. Let us take a moment to breathe in this history and atmosphere before we continue our journey into the cellars.