Tokaj Grapes: Furmint, Lipovina & More

Only a short list of grape varieties may be planted on the qualified Tokaj vineyard blocks, and in Slovak Tokaj three of them do almost all the work. This page covers all six varieties allowed by the protected designation of origin, with the planted area registered by ÚKSÚP on 31 July 2025.

The six varieties at a glance

Variety	Also known as	Planted (31 Jul 2025)	In Tokaj since
Furmint		291 ha	traditional
Muškát žltý	Yellow Muscat, Sárgamuskotály (HU)	197 ha	traditional
Lipovina	Hárslevelű (HU)	169 ha	traditional
Zéta	formerly Oremus	0.28 ha	added 2022
Kabar		0.075 ha	added 2022
Kövérszőlő	tučné hrozno	0.075 ha	added 2022

Altogether, ÚKSÚP registered 657 ha of Tokaj varieties in Slovakia, practically all of them in the Tokaj region. The three traditional grapes account for all but a fraction of a hectare.

The rules behind the list

The Slovak wine act (No. 313/2009) allows only registered Tokaj varieties on the qualified blocks (kvalifikované hony), and the land may be used only as vineyards. Before each harvest, growers declare their grapes, and the control body certifies them, recording the village, vineyard block, variety, quantity, sugar content and share of cibéby (botrytised berries).

The act itself names only Furmint, Lipovina and Muškát žltý, the three grapes that may appear on a varietal Tokaj wine (Tokajský Furmint, Tokajská Lipovina, Tokajský Muškát žltý). Such a wine must contain at least 85 % of the named variety, with up to 15 % of the other two. In 2022, at the request of the producer group TOKAJ REGNUM, the Slovak agriculture ministry approved an amendment to the protected designation of origin that added Kabar, Kövérszőlő and Zéta to the list of varieties.

Furmint

Furmint is the backbone of Tokaj on both sides of the border and the most planted grape in Slovak Tokaj, with 291 ha. The official specification repeats an old tradition that King Béla IV, in the 13th century, settled Italian newcomers in the region who brought Furmint with them; it is a story, not a proven origin.

In the vineyard, Furmint keeps high natural acidity even when very ripe, and its bunches are prone to noble rot in a good autumn. That combination makes it ideal for the sweet wines: the acidity balances high sugar and lets výber and esencia age for decades.

Furmint also makes serious dry wine. Young, it shows green apple, lemon, quince and pear; with time in barrel or bottle it gains honey, nuts and a smoky edge. Traditional cellars may age it oxidatively in samorodné; modern producers often make it fresh and reductive.

Where to try it: dry Furmint at Tokaj Macik Winery, Chateau Grand Bari and J & J Ostrožovič; Tokaj Gold and Víno Kapraľ also grow it.

Lipovina

Lipovina is the Slovak name for the grape known in Hungary as Hárslevelű. Both names point to the linden (lime) tree: lipa in Slovak, hárs in Hungarian, and the Hungarian name means "linden-leaved". In Slovak Tokaj it covers 169 ha.

Lipovina is softer than Furmint, with a fuller, rounder texture and a distinct perfume: linden blossom, acacia honey, pear and sometimes a spicy note. It also takes noble rot well. In blends it adds aroma and body to Furmint's acidity; on its own it makes gentle dry or off-dry wines.

Where to try it: varietal Lipovina at J & J Ostrožovič, Zlatý Strapec and Tokaj Gold.

Muškát žltý

Muškát žltý (Yellow Muscat, in Hungarian Sárgamuskotály) is a member of the Muscat family, the grapes whose wines smell of the grape itself. In Slovak Tokaj it plays a bigger role than many visitors expect: with 197 ha it is the second most planted variety, ahead of Lipovina.

Expect intense aromas of fresh grapes, elderflower, orange blossom and peach. Dry versions make lively aperitifs; sweet and botrytised versions are rich and floral. In traditional sweet wines, a small share of Muškát žltý can lift the aroma of the blend.

Where to try it: Víno Kapraľ grows Furmint and Muškát žltý; J & J Ostrožovič, Zlatý Strapec and Tokaj Gold make varietal versions.

Kabar

Kabar is one of the three varieties added to the Slovak specification in 2022. Only 0.075 ha were registered in July 2025, so in practice it is still experimental in Slovakia. We have not found a Slovak producer offering a varietal Kabar to visitors.

Kövérszőlő

Kövérszőlő is also called tučné hrozno in Slovak; both names mean "fat grape". Like Kabar, it was added to the specification in 2022 and covered just 0.075 ha in July 2025. It is unlikely you will see it on a label on the Slovak side for now.

Zéta

Zéta, formerly known as Oremus, is the most visible of the newcomers, though still tiny: 0.28 ha in July 2025. It was added to the specification in 2022, and the Košice Region tourism brochure lists it alongside Furmint, Lipovina and Yellow Muscat as one of the region's grapes. A few Slovak producers list a Zéta, including Chateau Grand Bari, Zlatý Strapec and Tokaj Gold. If you see one, it is a rare chance to taste something few people outside the region know.

Blends and styles

Most traditional Tokaj wines, such as samorodné and výber, are blends of Furmint, Lipovina and Muškát žltý in proportions each producer chooses. Furmint usually leads, Lipovina adds body and perfume, and Muškát žltý adds aroma. The varietal wines show each grape on its own and are a good starting point if you are new to Tokaj. Find out how each style is made on Tokaj wine styles.

Tip: Ask for a dry Furmint and a dry Lipovina side by side from the same vintage. The difference between Furmint's acidity and Lipovina's softer perfume is easy to taste.

Tokaj grape varieties