Oremus Winery
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With Oremus, the leading Spanish winery Vega Sicilia has acquired one of the most renowned estates in Tokaj. Since the takeover in 1993, the family-run business has not only enhanced the reputation of this historic winery but has also established it as an international benchmark for the great wines of this historic Hungarian wine region. Oremus combines centuries-old Tokaj traditions with the uncompromising commitment to quality that has made Vega Sicilia famous worldwide. The estate takes its name from the legendary single vineyard Oremus, which was first mentioned in documents as early as 1630 and is regarded as one of Tokaj’s historic ‘first-class vineyards’. According to tradition, one of the first Aszú wines is said to have originated here – that noble sweet style which made Tokaj world-famous. Today, Oremus cultivates around 115 hectares of vineyards in several of the finest sites around Tolcsva and Sárospatak. Volcanic soils composed of rhyolite, andesite and tuff characterise the wines, as do the continental climate and the autumn mists, which regularly facilitate the development of noble rot (Botrytis cinerea).
The focus is on the traditional Tokaj grape varieties Furmint, Hárslevelű (Linden-leaved), Zéta, Sárgamuskotály (Yellow Muscat) and Kövérszőlő. Whilst Furmint lends the wines structure, acidity and ageing potential, the other varieties contribute aroma, body and elegance. In addition to dry white wines, Oremus produces all the region’s classic sweet wine styles – from Late Harvest and Szamorodni to the famous Tokaji Aszú wines and the rare Eszencia. The winemaking process combines traditional methods with modern precision. The botrytised grapes are selected exclusively by hand in several harvesting rounds. For Tokaji Aszú, the shrivelled Aszú grapes are first pressed into a paste and then blended with base wine or fermenting must. The wine is aged for many months or years in the estate’s extensive, historic cellars, which stretch for several kilometres. The temperature there remains at around 10 to 12 °C all year round, with high humidity – ideal conditions for the slow maturation of the wines in small Hungarian oak barrels. Oremus is characterised by a combination of precision, freshness and depth. Even the noble sweet Aszú wines never seem heavy or opulent, but are carried by the lively acidity of the Furmint. Aromas of apricot, candied citrus fruits, honey, saffron, orange peel and delicate spices combine with a distinctive mineral tension that reflects the volcanic origins of the soils. The dry Furmint wines, by contrast, display a cool, salty style with citrus fruit, white peach and stony minerality. Today, Oremus is regarded as one of Tokaj’s leading producers and has played a decisive role in restoring the region’s international reputation following the end of the communist era. Backed by the financial strength and commitment to quality of Vega Sicilia, the wines produced here honour Tokaj’s centuries-old tradition whilst demonstrating the potential of Hungary’s most famous wine region in the 21st century.
© Images: Oremus
