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april 2017 / the tasting panel / 65 Tokaj: Wine Tourism Destination Tokaj-Hegyalja, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002, is the most renowned among Hungary's wine regions—for good reason. The unique climate around the perfectly shaped, volcanic Tokaj Hill helps noble rot to evolve, giving an extraordi- nary aroma and texture to the local wines. The interaction of landscape, ecosys- tem, human culture and tradition in Tokaj-Hegyalja has created a unique chemistry that is well worth preserving and introducing to visitors. Different ethnic groups—Saxon, Swabian, Polish, Romanian, Armenian and Jewish people—settled here over the centuries, and they all contributed to the economic and social life, as well as the wine production culture. This variety is reflected by the sacred and secular architecture of the settlements. The area has been protected since 1737, when it was declared as a closed wine region by a royal decree, the first example of such a provision in the world. In addition to the beauties of nature, rich cultural history and built heritage, several outdoor activities—such as hiking, cycling and water adventures—attract tens of thousands of tourists each year. Visitors can also discover and experience the local traditions, and city dwellers will appreciate the programs that villages offer: religious and folk festivals, village and farmer days, gastronomic programs, harvest festivals, pig feasts and traditional handcraft workshops. Aggtelek is internationally known for the exceptional Baradla cave system. The hillside above the lake in Aggtelek presents wonderful examples of dolomite formation. The Tokaj Museum—located in a for- mer Greek merchantman's house—is also worth visiting. The castle, Castrum Boldua, emerging high above the village Boldogko"váralja, was first mentioned in a diploma issued by King Endre III in 1295. Its bizarre form is a result of selective erosion. The Porcelain Museum in Hollóháza presents the history of porcelain-making in an exciting exhibition. Visitors to the Calvinist Church in Vizsoly can have a look at the first Bible translated into Hungarian by Gáspár Károly, known as the Bible of Vizsoly. Sárospatak, on the banks of River Bodrog, has one of the richest historic memorials in Hungary, Rákóczi Castle, in the center of the town. Sátoraljaújhely is home of the Museum of the Hungarian Language, with the mission to present and preserve the fundamental values of the country's culture: the Hungarian language and its characteristics. The Tokaj-Hegyalja region is also a Jewish Hasidic pilgrim- age destination with fascinating Jewish historic sites, includ- ing synagogues, cemeteries with tombs of miracle-working rabbis, rabbis' houses and other elegant old Jewish homes. Two of the synagogues have been gorgeously restored, and several wineries are located inside of the old homes of Jewish wine merchants. Andrássy Rezidencia Wine & Spa, the five-star hotel in Tokaj-Hegyalja region offers outstandingly high-level wellness, pampering exclusive body treatments, massages and baths combined with wine spa services and a unique gastronomic experience. The 500-meter-long cellar located beneath the building was built in the 15th century and is still in use. Hotel Botrytis is the latest jewel of Mád, located in the Tokaj vineyards and surrounded by nature. While it fits the town's traditional values, with its fresh and unique profile also broadens the landscape of Mád as a boutique hotel providing premium services. At Gusteau Culinary Experience Workshop, located in Mád, life is also about wines. Dishes created by Head Chéf Gábor Horváth, the only chef in Hungary to have honed his craft at the Institut Paul Bocuse in Lyon, are inspired by wines, and terroir is expressed not only in wines but also in raw materials. Gusteau was selected by Gault & Millau as Restaurant of the Year in Hungary, 2016. Vinum Tokaj International LLC contributed to this article. Praise for MÁD FURMINT from around the World "Great, clean, emphatic fruit weight and fine acidity. Great, finely edged preci- sion. Really interesting, distinctive wine with structure, potential and length." —Jancis Robinson Master of Wine, wine critic, journalist and wine writer "I like MÁD dry FURMINT because it has the true taste of Tokaj region's spe- cial volcanic soils, with excellent acidity, minerality and finesse. It is great value and has a memorable name and label . . . all important for selling to my custom- ers. Last but not least, it is different; my customers (and I) like "different" wines! —Paul Liversedge, Master of Wine, Real Wines, Switzerland "The MÁD FURMINT is one of the few wines where quality of wine matches the great packaging. It struck in the early vintages because of the texture and it was so easy on the palate. Great character and value for money, too. The wines won in the recent year more fol- lowers and gained a lifted fresher style. Much to my liking, it remained a good companion to many styles of cooking, from traditional to modern." —Jan Konetzki, Director of Wine, Four Seasons at Ten Trinity Square, London "By tasting a MÁD FURMINT our guests receive the quality they expect from the name 'Tokaj.' —Tamás Mikula, Sommelier, Al Mahara Restaurant, Burj Al Arab Hotel, Dubai "MÁD FURMINT is a very good introduction to dry Furmint or even to Hungarian white wine without compro- mising quality. Lots of people are still unaware of Furmint's style as well as its potential; Mád is the best possible wine to make them taste it! Guests in my restaurant are always pleased with the balance and structure of this wine." —Ram C. Chhethri, Certified Sommelier– Wine Procurement Analyst, Gordon Ramsay Group/Bread Street Kitchen, London PHOTO: FERENC DANCSECS