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==History==
[[File:Bela IV bust close up.jpg|right|thumb|Furmint was likely introduced to Hungary during the reign of King Béla IV.]]
While the exact origins of Furmint are not clear, it is generally well established that the grape was introduced to the [[Austro-Hungarian]] area in the [[Middle Ages]]. As noted by wine expert [[Jancis Robinson]], the grape was likely brought to Hungary in the 13th century during the reign of King [[Béla IV]]. Following the destruction of the [[Mongolian invasion of Hungary]], Béla wanted to quickly revive the country's devastated vineyards. The king instituted several policies encouraging mass [[immigration]] of people knowledgeable in [[viticulture]] and winemaking.<ref name="DiWine">DiWine Taste ''"[http://www.diwinetaste.com/dwt/en2003102.php Hungary wine]"'' Issue 11, September 2003 </ref> Many of the immigrants that heeded Béla's call brought new grape varieties with them - one of which was likely Furmint.<ref name="Oxford pg 292"/><ref name= "Wein-Plus">Wein-Plus
In the [[Burgenland]] region (now in Austria), Furmint was historically associated with the production of the [[sweet (wine)|sweet]] dessert wine ''[[Ausbruch]]''. The grape gradually fell out of favor in the Burgenland but in the 21st century, several ''Ausbruch'' winemakers (particularly around [[Rust, Austria|Rust]]) have been rediscovering the grape's potential in their area.<ref name="Clarke pg 90"/> In Hungary, the grape is a significant component of the notable dessert wine Tokaji that has been in the Tokaj-Hegyalja region for several centuries.<ref name="Oxford pg 292"/> During [[People's Republic of Hungary|Communist rule of Hungary]], Furmint's fortunes and notability declined as many vineyards and wineries fell into neglect. When [[History_of_Hungary#Free_elections_and_a_democratic_Hungary_since_1989|Communism ended in the country]] towards the end of the 20th century, most of the joint venture wine companies that emerged decided to focus mainly on Furmint's uses in sweet wines - despite a general shift in consumers' [[wine tasting]] habits towards drier wines. It wasn't until the 21st century that more attention was given to Furmint's potential for dry wine production.<ref name="Clarke pg 90"/>
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