2018 Late Harvest Furmint

This is a perfect opportunity to get on my high horse and pitch the beauty of sweet wines in virtually every scenario other than with desserts. Late harvest wines don’t have the oxidative elements present in Aszú or some Szamorodnis, and they don’t typically carry anywhere near the same weight of residual sugar. Granted, it still has around 100 g/l of RS, but it’s backed up with nearly 12% alcohol and enough acidity to feel refreshing and dry off the palate. The 2018 was lightly crushed, gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel followed by 6 months in local 2nd-fill Zempléni oak barrels. While easily paired with meat/cheeses, it’s a great foil for anything fatty, pickled, and smoky.