Eastern Slovakian lowland and its economical utilization Matias Luostarinen, Teppo Tossavainen, Peter Popovic, Zuzana Baronova, Adria Vila Cufi, Miquel Romero Carrera

Contents

Introduction ...... 3

Landscapes of the region ...... 4

Regions identity and regional identity in the landscape ...... 5

Sources and methods of analysis ...... 6

Physical geographical characteristics of the territory ...... 7

The human geography of the Eastern Slovak Lowland ...... 13

Tokaj region in ...... 14

Conflict for brand ...... 19

Differences between the region of and Slovakia ...... 20

References ...... 22

2 Introduction

The wine production in Tokaj region has a long history dating back to ages of the . The wine production defines the daily living in this certain area even today. In our research we are interested especially on the time period starting on from the First World War until present because of the wine conflict resulted from the division of areas part of Austrian-Hungarian Kingdom in the in 1920.

Only a small part of the Slovak wine region of Tokaj was once part of the historic of the Kingdom of Hungary. Due to the Treaty of Trianon the majority of the region (around 28 communities and some 4500 ha of vineyards) remained as a part of Hungary and smaller part (3 communities and about 175 ha of vineyards) became a part of in 1958. In 1959 four more villages were added by Czechoslovak legislation, although these did not comprise part of the historic region. The dispute between the countries over the right of Slovakia to use the name Tokaj that started in 1958 for its wines was resolved in 2004 – the two countries came to an agreement in June 2004 under which wine produced on 565 hectares of land in Slovakia will be able to use the Tokajsky/-a/-e label (“of Tokaj” in Slovak), providing that the Slovaks accept the Hungarian quality control regulations. (Absolute Astronomy, 2011)

In 2008, talks resulted in a preliminary agreement in which the two sides recognized “Tokaj as an invaluable historical heritage” for which both countries would share responsibility, and the Hungarians acknowledge the existence of a 565-hectare Tokaj area on the other side of the border, which gave the Slovakia 10% on the wine growing region. However, in spring of 2009, Slovakia demanded that its designated area be extended to include 908 hectares, which effectively put an end to the accord. The dispute between Hungary and Slovakia about the Tokaj region still continues to be a fierce struggle for the historical rights to produce the one and only true Tokaj wines in the region. The struggle will mostly likely to be solved by the European Commission. (Tadeusz Olszanski, 2009)

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Picture 1. Tokaj wine region in the Slovakia side is marked in the map on red colour.

Landscapes of the region

The concept of landscape consists of different varieties of characteristics in the visible and also in the non-visible landscape. In the physical landscape we can see the impact of human activity in the environment. In the non-visible landscape we can define for example the different social, political and also economical viewpoints to the landscape in people’s everyday life and as how they perceive the landscape of Tokaj region.

If we start with the social viewpoint of the landscape of the Tokaj region, we can see that there is a conflict between Hungarian and Slovakian side of the region. We can assume that the Slovaks and the Hungarians have a different point of view seeing the landscape in the Tokaj region. Noting the conflict between the two countries we have seen in the last decades we can assume that the Slovaks and the Hungarians have a different point of view on seeing the historical Tokaj region.

From the political point of view we can assume that there is a major conflict between the states of Hungary and also of Slovakia in solving the question of Tokaj region. Looking back to the history Hungary has had a conflict with several different countries concerning the Tokaj label. In these conflicts Hungary has disputed over the use of the label with for example France, Italy, Australia and also Japan. The latest conflict is arguing with Slovakian government whether the Slovakian Tokaj region should be included as a part of the historical Tokaj region dating back from the times

4 of the kingdom of Austria-Hungary. In this dispute there have been many issues that still need to be solved by the governments of these two countries. There have been accusations from each side of the border that for example the Hungarians are accusing Slovaks on cultivating on such lands that are not part of the original Tokaj region. On the other hand the Hungarians are accused of cultivating on plains that don’t have the similar terrain that the Tokaj region is famous for. The terrain in the region and especially on the cultivated hills consists of volcanic tuff. So in this case the Hungarians are accused of producing the Tokaj wine by quantity not quality. These political issues also have a major effect on the economy of the region in both sides of the border.

An economical approach to this conflict is to see how the EU has granted funds for developing and reconstructing the historical Tokaj wine region. We are assuming that what is shown in our brief history of the conflict of Tokaj region the two countries are getting different amount of support from the EU. As seen in the history Hungary has had the privilege of using the Tokaj label since 1993 until the year 2006 so Hungary has had most of the benefits coming from the EU. In this contract between Hungary and the EU, signed in 1993, it is only a bilateral agreement and the Slovakian part of Tokaj region was not taken in with the negotiations of the use of the Tokaj label.

After the ending of this agreement with EU in 2006 the conflict has arised to be an important question for the whole historical Tokaj region which consists not only of the Hungarian part of Tokaj but also the Slovakian part of Tokaj. At present the situation between Hungary and Slovakia is to use the Tokaj label in a very similar way but still separating the two areas. The Hungarian part of Tokaj is selling the wines with the label Tokaji and the Slovakian part is selling the similar wines of same region in the label of Tokaj. There is also a mention of the country of origin of the wine.

Regions identity and regional identity in the landscape

Identity can be defined as the sense that people make of themselves through their subjective feelings based on their everyday experiences and wider social relations (P. Knox & S. Marston 2004, 508). The forces of globalization and “times-space-compression” have sought represent localized identities historical characteristics and have worked to undermine the companion of place and community but in executing identity politics and nationalism reveal are clear resistance to such universal strategies. These old loyalties based around geographical community may have been undermined by the globalization of the markets networks of power and capital flows. Ironically we can see the rise of counter forces and new communities of interest and belief. For example different

5 cultural movements have all risen to resist the nationalist boundaries of identity and community. (University of Nijmegen, 2012). In our research the local people living in the Tokaj region have different perception of the landscape than the political decision makers in Slovak and Hungarian parliaments. It is to be questioned whether the problem is at local level or merely a political tool in the disputes between Slovakia and Hungary. People living in the Tokaj region and also in other parts of the two countries form their own national identities which are composed of five key elements according to Guibernau (2007):

- Psychological: consciousness of forming a community - Cultural: sharing a common culture - Territorial: attachment to clearly demarcated territory - Historical: possessing a common past - Political: claiming the right to rule itself

These five key elements are closely linked together. It is in great significance to understand that the people living in the Tokaj region form their national identity in the landscape quite differently that the people who are living outside of the Tokaj region. People living in the area share a strong regional identity consisting of these elements. It is to be seen how the elements differ inside the region. Within these elements language, religion and social status may take on particular significance on seeing the landscape of the Tokaj region.

In this case of the people living in the Slovak part of Tokaj region think themselves not only with the identity of Tokaj region but they also consider themselves as Slovaks. This is also the same on the Hungarian side. It is to be seen in this conflict of the Tokaj region if the people who are living in the area see the landscape as the people of Tokaj living together in one area which is partly Slovakia and partly Hungary, or is there a greater sense of national identity of being a Hungarian or a Slovak.

Sources and methods of analysis

In this research we visited the Tokaj region and we interviewed four winemakers in both Slovakian and Hungarian side of the Tokaj region. Three of these winemakers were from Slovakian part of the Tokaj region. We also interviewed one Hungarian winemaker who has a professional career as a researcher and a professor of winemaking. In our research we are most interested in the ways these past and today’s disputes affect the life of the people living in Tokaj region with their occupation as winemakers. It is our assumption that even today these disputes highly define the co-operation

6 between Hungarian Tokaji and Slovakian Tokaj. To get the information from the people living in the area, we are going to carry out a half-structured interview with some of the wine-estate owners in Slovakian Tokaj as well as in Hungarian Tokaji region. The questions we use in the interview can be found in the attachment part of this research.

In this interview we are going to focus mostly on the economical and political issues that are from our interest the most essential questions in defining the region’s identity and as well as the regional identity in the landscape. We are also going to introduce the physical landscape of the Tokaj region.

Physical geographical characteristics of the territory

Location

The study area lies in the southeast of East Slovakia in Košice Region, covers an area of three districts (MI, TV, SO). It consists of East-Slovakia plane and Zemplín hills. From the west the territory bordered by Slánske hills and from the north by Beskydy and Vihorlat mountains. At the study area there are located 6 cities: Trebišov, , , Veľké Kapušany, Kráľovský Chlmec a Čierna nad Tisou.

Geological conditions Most of the territory is formed by tertiary cover (Miocene, Pliocene), which is represented by a few rigid sediments (freshwater and marine character) clays, silt, sand, gravel, and sometimes occurs as lignite. It is a central part of the Eastern Plains.

7 The East-Slovakia plain is typical by upland clays, claystones, sand, sandstone, gravel, conglomerates, evaporites rarely, coal seams and andesite tuffs (middle Miocene). The Zemplín hills are surrounded by young Neogene sediments and neovulcanites of the eastern- slovakia basin. Mountains are transformed into crystalline rocks, mainly mica schists, gneisses, amphibolites and migmatites, at the Slovak territory, move up only in a very small area near Byšta. In the overburden, the position of the thrust are Carboniferous and Permian continental sediments with minor coal seams, but dominated conglomerates, sandstones and claystones. There are also Triassic quartzite, limestone and dolomite. The edges are Miocene rhyodacites, andesites and basalts. In the Medzibodrožie the wind activity caused the layers of loess and eolian sands sheets. Monotonous surface revive small volcanic ridges built by rhyolites, dacite and , for exampl, andesitee. Chlmecké hills, Tarbuck, Veľký Hill (Michaeli, 2008).

8 Geomorphological conditions

Area under investigation belongs, from a geomorphological subdivisions in the Alpine-Himalayan system. Units East-Slovakia and East-hilly plane belon s to a subset of the Pannonian Basin, province of Východopanónska Basin, Great Basin subprovince and the Eastern lowlands district. Zemplín hills are classified into subset Carpathians Western Carpathians province, subprovince Inner Western Carpathians and the Matransko-Slanská district. East-Slovakia Hills are largely covered by alluvial cones and debris from the foot of the mountain. East river level was accumulating, storing loess and loess loam drift sands. The relief is flat to slightly undulating character of an amplitude below 30 m. This area is also the lowest point in SR (the level in the cadastral territory Borša - 94 m).

Fluvial relief In the soft sediments the rivers , , Uh, , Bodrog make meanders and also form d many dead branches.

Aeolian relief

It also features blown sand in terms of long longitudinal dunes, reaching 5-10 m (drafting sand by the north wind from deposits of the Latorica, the Uh,the Laborec andthe Ondava). Most of the dunes occur near Kráľovský Chlmec so called Medzibodrožie, less in the north from Veľké Kapušany and alpng the lower Ondava (ling). The material of dunes is partially calcareous, it contains more dust particles and humus. Thereis occurence of loess to the south of Trebišov and the down part of the area between the rivers Ondava and Laborec (Trhovište).

Zemplínske hills

The area: 101 km²

The highest peak: Rozhľadňa 470 m n. m.

A small Zemplínske hills have a complex structure, the spine extends along faults from the northwest to the southeast. Relief is in the mountains of western lowland in the east central part of hill and mountain is rugged relief. In the western suburb of Zemplín Hills there is an individual

9 geomorphological sub – unit Rožňava gate, which presents rift between Zemplín Hills and Hungarian Tokai-Zempléni hegység (Tokaj Mountains).

Water Conditions

In the area under investigation there was formed a dense river net. All rivers which flow through this area belong to the Bodrog (flowing into the ), which mounthed to the Tisa outside our area.. The larger rivers are the Ondava,the Latorica (confluence - Bodrog) the Laborec,the Uh and the Tisa. All these rivers are rain-snow runoff regime type.

The Ondava

The Ondava is the 8th longest river (146 km in Slovakia), its largest tributary is the Topľa that flows parallelly alongside of it, predominantly left side tributaries (all outside the study area).

The Latorica

The 5th largest river (by flow) in Slovakia is the Latorica with long-term average flow 86.8 m3 / s. It is 188 km long river, flowing only in Slovak length of 38 km. It flows from the Eastern Carpathians in to our country and its flow is significantly slowed down ( by low slope of the terrain). Therefore, the conditions to form rich meanders and dead branches, and thus it forms the numerous wetlands. These rare meadows and marshes have been protected since 1999 (Latorica PLA) and also they were included in the list of Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.

The Bodrog

The river Bodrog is a confluence of the Latorica, the Laborec with the Uh and the Ondava with the Topľa. Although the length of the river is only 16 km in our territory, according the 4th largest river in Slovakia by flow (115 m3/s).

The Laborec

The Laborec is the 10th. longest river in Slovakia, it is a typical example of the river network developed on one side (left-side tributaries).

The Tisa

10 The Tisa is the second major artery, which draining Slovakia. In our territory flows only 7 km. In Hungary the Tisa flows into the Bodrog and then flows into the Danube.

Still surface water

The greatest significance has the dam Zemplínska Šírava. It was built between 1961-

1965, is filling by water of the Laborec river. It occupies an area of 33.5 square kilometers. It serves as protection against floods, but also performs irrigation and recreational function.

Climatic conditions

Climate is considered the territory is divided into three parts (warm area, slightly warm area and cold area). The most significant part of the warm covers an area which is characterized by an average of 50 or more days during the summer (days with temperatures above 25 ° C). The largest districts is warm zone, with cold dry winters, which is the hottest parts of eastern Slovakia.

A small part of the temperate climate zone located at the foot of the mountains, particularly at the foot Vihorlat hills and Slanské mountains. Typical feature to slightly warm climate region averages less than 50 summer days per year and average temperature in July is more than 16 ° C.

The coldest part is in the northeastern part of Vihorlat mountains. They consist of the highest mountains. Characteristic for a cool area in July the average temperature is below 16 ° C.

In terms of precipitation is a poor area of precipitation. In the central part Eastern Slovak Lowland precipitation reached only 550 mm per year. The rest of belonging to a warm area has rainfall ranging from 550 to 700 mm per year. Areas belonging to the temperate climate zone with an annual rainfall ranging from 700 to 900 mm per year. Cool climate area has rainfall ranging from 900 mm to 1050 mm per year.

Soils

Composition of the Eastern Slovak Lowlands of land resources is very colorful. Major part fluvizeme occupying nearly half of the territory. Other important parts are up chenozeme, pseudoglej, blackberries, andozem. Andozem are of great importance for the wine production in Tokaj. Small islands are formed by litozem, regozem and podzols.

Flora

11 In our area we can meet different botanical areas: Pannonian, East Carpathian and West Carpathian. The southern part of Zemplín, which belongs to the Pannonian botanical area is almost completely deforested and converted into a cultural step with vineyards, orchards, arable land and meadows. Residues protected lowland forest on the plains Latorica, Uhu and Bodrog. The lower part of mountains occupy mainly oak forests in the higher parts of the mountains is dominated by beech. From trees we can find there also willow, alder, poplar, birch and elms. The rare plant species register with leknovec štítnatý (Nymphoides peltata), žerušnica málokvetá (Cardamine parviflora), truskavec obyčajný (Hippuris vulgaris), korunka strakatá (Fritillaria maleagris), jesienka obyčajná (Colchicum autumnale), skorocel prímorský (Plantago maritima L.) and other. The slopes of the Vihorlat mountains meet Pannonian, East Carpathian and West Carpathian species. At the southern foot of the Vihorlat hills are thermophilic oak stands, which at higher altitudes replaced beech forests. They also predominate in Vihorlat. At altitudes above 700 m, the location of the silver fir, spruce and pine. In Vihorlat mountains we can found many rare and protected plants. They are: kýchavica biela (Veratrum album), kostihoj srdcovitý (Syphytum cordatum), kostrava ovčia vyhorlatská (Festuca ovina), bleduľa jarná (Leucojum vernum) and other.

Fauna

Eastern lowlands fauna is also very varied. Animals include representatives of communities and between deciduous and coniferous forests, and fields, meadows, rivers, water bodies and their banks. Normally there exists hare, pheasant hunting, forest deer, red deer, wild boar. The rare and protected species living here, lynx, wolf, wild cat, brown bear, , marten forest and rocky, red kite, otter, badger wood, raven black marsh turtle, of waterfowl: greylag goose, mallard, white stork, black stork, a fisherman mud, green-eyed hen, grey heron,of butterflies: Apollo, and various kinds babôčok perleťovcov. Can you find the largest butterfly living in Slovakia Okáň hruškový. Small butterfly Vespina slovaciella is notable mainly because it is so far known only from this territory. In the NNR Kašvár in Trebišov district is estimated at approximately 1,500 species of butterfly. The insects are rare species as: schnauzer Alpine, praying mantis, and bystruška shiny soles, steppe horse. The beach is Carpathian newt, salamander, lizard, viper wheat. The fish are found catfish, pike, perch, trout, carp, hurt, bream and others.

Protection of nature

In our area there are Latorica PLA and the small area here extends the PLA Vihorlat. PLA Latorica was declared 26th Jun 1993. It lies along the river Latorica and lower flows and Laborec Ondava area of 4 404,7 ha. It is the second large protected area of lowland in Slovakia. The

12 area is built mainly Quaternary sediments with typical fluvial and aeolian relief. Today it is a unique set of natural preserved wetland dead arms of rivers, rare and precious aquatic and wetland biocoenosis forming a complex that is unparalleled in the whole country. The site includes a part of floodplain area of the Latorica River within the levees, from the Ukrainian borders to the confluence with the Laborec River in the Latorica Protected Landscape Area, in S part of the East Slovakian Lowland. Well developed system of branches, seasonally inundated habitats with adjacent floodplain forests and grasslands. Threatened and rare aquatic and swamp biocoenoses of lowland flooded habitats are represented. Several nature reserves are included in the site.

The human geography of the Eastern Slovak Lowland

The population of The Eastern Slovak Lowland The Eastern Slovak Lowland occupies an area of 2 631.5 km2, the study area is inhabited by 238 741 peoples. The largest district by the area is Trebišov with 1 073.8 km2, by population it is with 110 166 inhabitants. The smallest district is Sobrance, its area has 538.2 km2 and only 23 213 people live there. The average age of inhabitants of lowland is 37 years. The age structure we used to divide into three groups, namely the pre-productive(include age from 0 to 14 years), productive (means from 14 to 59 years for men, or to 55 years for women) and post- productive (include inhabitants over 60 years for men and over 55 for women) age. In the Eastern Slovak Lowland area the first group consists of 42 065 people, the second group with productive part of inhabitants has 148 799 people and last post-productive age group consists of 47 877 inhabitants. This area is located near the border with Hungary and Ukraine, so there is very colorful national structure.In the south of the region the main nationality is Hungarian, Roma, Slovakian and a few Czechs, Ruthenians and Ukraine people. The north parts include mainly Slovak, Roma, Ukraine, Ruthenian and also Hungarian nationality. When we talk about religions in our research area, we can say that there is some balance between the Roman Catholic, Greek Catholic and the Protestant religion.

Settlement of the Eastern Slovak Lowland: As we say in first part of this report our research area lies in three districts in Košice region, these districts are Trebišov, Michalovce and Sobrance, this area consists of six cities Trebišov,

13 Michalovce, Sobrance, Veľké Kapušany, Kráľovský Chlmec and Čierna nad Tisou and 199 villages. The biggest city is Michalovce (39 322 inhabitants), the 2nd is Trebišov (23 521 inhab.), the 3rd is Sobrance (6 212 inhab.) these are administrative centers of districts, together in cities are 90 478 inhabitants. The population living in cities forms 38% of all people who live in the Eastern Slovak Lowland, it means, that most of them live in rural areas.

Industry of the Eastern Slovak Lowland There are non-metallic mineral deposits in Kráľovský Chlmec surroundings, such as building stone, gravel. Near Michalovce there are ceramic materials such as clay haloyzit, between Michalovce and Trebišov are relatively small supplies of natural gas and oil. There is a small supply of black and brown coal and around the village Michaľany near the border occur clay, brick clay, loess. Near the village Brehov there are situated the gold ore deposits, bronze, copper and polymetallic ores and supplies of building stone. Near the village there are important salt deposits that have national significance because stocks are up to 720 million tonnes. Food industry is important as well- especially for poultry and milk, than manufacture of electric motors of construction, engineering, textile manufacture. Great importance for the viticulture industry, which is represented in the South of Eastern Slovak lowland, has the wine region of Tokaj.

Transport of the Eastern Slovak Lowland In this region there are two important border crossing places Vyšné Nemecké (road transport) and Čierna nad Tisou (rail) which are gateway to Ukraine.

Tokaj region in Slovakia

The Tokaj region, which lies in the southwestern part of the Eastern lowlands, is formed by Zemplín hills to the northwest and southeast of the river Latorica. This area is unique in terms of its natural conditions, geological substrate are volcanic tuffs, climate is determined by a long dry autumn, which is secured by a barrier preventing Zemplín hills rain clouds penetrate the southwest.

14 This wine region in Slovakia consists of 7 villages, namely Bara, Čerhov, Černochov, Malá Tŕňa, Slovenské Nové Mesto, Veľká Tŕňa, and Viničky and area of all wine region is 907 hectares of vineyards. Tokaj wine-growing areas may be used only as a vineyard. If the owner of a vineyard estate in Tokaj, does not use for wine production, it is required, in order to maintain protection of vineyards in the wine region Tokaj, to rent it as a whole or partially sell at a reasonable cost. In this wine region live 3 850 inhabitants, the most people live in the village Slovenské Nové Mesto with area 13.38 km2 and 1 079 people, which is nearly one-third of the population of the Tokaj region in Slovakia, next bigger village is Čerhov with 831 inhabitants and land area 7.37 km2. There are three villages where more than half of population have Hungarian nationality, namely it´s Černochov (77.19%), Bara (69.94%) and Viničky (62.04%), in next four villages dominates Slovak nationality, for example Veľká Tŕňa with 96% , Čerhov 95% of Slovak population. It is interesting, because these villages lies absolutly on the Hungarian border, so we expect, that mainly population will be the Hungarian.

Introduction for the region of Tokaj

The cultural landscape of Tokaj Viticulture Region, responds to an historical region. Nowadays, this region is divided between the states of Slovakia and Hungary. Despite this separation, it’s considered that this region is one piece. Located between the Slovakian Southern and Northern Hungarian, is characterized to a large complex of vineyards, wine houses and many towns. All of this makes a large network of historic wineries. The wine, known as Tokaji, has more than three centuries, their quality is very high because it follows a lot of quality controls.

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This historic region has been recognized as a World Heritage List by UNESCO in 2002, based on two essential criterions:

- The Tokaji wine region represents a distinct viticultural tradition that has existed for at least a thousand years and which has survived intact up to the present. - The entire landscape of the Tokaji wine region, including both vineyards and long established settlements, vividly illustrates the specialized form of traditional land-use that it represents.

The wine cellars are the most important structures in this region. It can differentiate between types the “vaulted” and the “excavated”. The type "vaulted" is an open space under a house before it was built, and now is considered as a basement of the house. The type "excavated" is an entrance stone and excavated into the ground, because to the composition of the volcanic soil, was easy to

16 excavated. Much of the cellars of the Tokaj Region (between 80 and 85%) are of the "excavated” type.

Volcanic soil favours the production in the Tokaj Region. The wine region is protected from drastic changes in temperature. Thanks proximity of the and the rivers Bodrog and Latorica. Also the humidity is favourable for cultivation. The average temperature of the year is 10.3 °C, with January as the coldest month (-2.9 °C) and July the warmest (21.6 ºC). Average annual rainfalls is 590 mm, the autumn months are dry, but favours the grape as it increases the sugar content.

Landscape Ecology

The landscape is not only a structure that changes over time. It’s a functional system in which flows occur as a result of natural processes and anthropogenic. These flows can be of matter, energy and living organisms. So, the landscape can be considered as a complex and changing over time, where the relationship between man and the physical environment is very important.

If we watch the landscape of the Tokaj Viticulture Region, we see the human footprint has changed the landscape over the years. The planting of vineyards in the valleys and mountainsides are an example of modifying the appearance of the landscape over the years. However, the construction of wine houses near of vineyards, has become an integral element of the identity of the territory. All this constitutes an open system that evolves naturally.

Production

Wine production is an important element in Slovakia and also Hungary. In general, Slovakia has an area of about 15.000 hectares of cultivated vineyards, according to recent data. The annual production is 400.000 hectolitres. Main exports are Italy, Spain, Czech Republic Austria, France and Hungary.

Hungary has 120.000 hectares of vineyards, which produce about of 5.000.000 hectolitres annually. There are 21 specialized vineyards areas, which size are between 1.000 hectares and 25.600 hectares. Its main export market is the European Union, Japan and the United States. The carries 75% of wine production in the country. The government of Hungary, which saw sales of its wine country decreased every year, in 2004 commissioned a promotion of the wines on the other countries.

17 However, the top wine of both countries it’s made in the historic wine region of Tokaj. This area shared by two countries, produces a sweet wine of high quality and has very exit in international markets. During the workshop for the Tokaj region, we did an interview at three vine-dressers in the Slovak and one the Hungarian part:

- J&J Ostrozovic (Slovakia). - Tokaj Macik Winnery (Slovakia). - Tokaj & Co. (Slovakia). - Bodnár Winery (Hungary).

Basic information of wine houses is:

J&J Ostrozovic Tokaj Macik Tokaj & Co. Bodnár W.

Age (years) 22 31 90 20

Area (ha) 55 50 270 6

Production (litres) 300.000 200.000 800.000 30.000

Production/area 5.454 4.000 2.962 5.000

The four wine houses have different grown extensions, produce a lot of wine along the year. Except Tokaj & Co., the rest have a small size and the production is profitable. This is one of the main features of the Tokaj wine region.

The climatic change, in relation to interviewees were expressed that there was no problem in the future. The terrain and soil composition doesn’t adversely affect the production and the quality of the wines of Tokaj.

Regions and types of wine

The Tokaj wines in Slovakia region, have unique characteristics that make the wine is unique in the world. The region can be found three types of grape varieties.

18 Firstly, the soil and climate are two main factors that make it unique Tokaji. The soil is composed of a clay and volcanic terrain. Then, during the irradiation of the sun and the heat accumulated during the day, the heat energy accumulated in the evening acts as insulation from the cold in the night. This acts as insulation in the low temperature at night. The vineyards don’t feel the cold night in the roots. This is the way for the vines have sugar content in grapes is higher and totally natural.

Another essential element is the microclimate that occurs between the valleys. These valleys are oriented facing south, providing sunlight. The proximity with rivers Latorica and Bodrog, this fact favours the proliferation of fungus Botrytis cinerea (). This fungus dries the grapes, and makes a special taste wine.

About the types of grapes there are in the Tokaj region of Slovakia, there are three varieties, which are considered local. The first variety is grapes, this is a later variety, ripening usually occurs in the second half of October, and is very sensitive to fungus Botrytis cinerea. Secondly, the variety Lipovina is from the Carpathian basin, and mixed with Tokaji Furmint to produce contains properties of being pure, dense and floral aroma. The last one variety is Yellow Muscat, this type of wine has an intense aroma of flowers, the taste is dominated by exotic fruit, and moreover, this acidic taste, makes the wine fresh and easy to drink.

This wine can only be preserved and aged in a cellar made for this type of process characteristic of Tokaji. The cellars are a system excavated of stone buildings that were built between 1400 and 1600. Inside, there is a constant temperature between 10 to 12 degrees. All tunnels and galleries are covered with a characteristic flourish that covers all the walls. This fungus is fed through the evaporation of alcohol, maintaining a constant humidity of 85% to 90%. This place is indispensable for the aging of Tokaji wines.

Conflict for brand Tokaji

This conflict began as a result of the years in the communist era, which led to a deterioration of quality and reputation of Tokaji wines. But with the fall of the "Iron Curtain", the 90’s began to make several improvements, especially in the Hungarian region of Tokaj.

Firstly, the battle starts between the two neighbouring countries of Hungary and Slovakia. It is a conflict of historical origin, where both parties claim the right to use the Designation of Origin of an area divided into two by a border.

19 The conflict is based on the debate between what is the exact extension of the Slovak. And what are the production methods used by the wineries that are in this country. This debate was resolved in the committee of the European Union. The resolution was decided the official classification of Slovak region, as a growing area of Tokaji. This decision was strongly supported by Slovakia, but rejected from Budapest. Hungary opposed him because he only considered as Tokaji to the method and type of production own. The main reason is that the Hungarians were concerned that the Slovak wines, considered of lesser quality, can affect the reputation of its own production of Tokaji.

This series of disputes have been present until recently, more specifically to 2004. This year was an agreement between the Hungarian and Slovak governments allowed the use of the name Tokaji in Slovakia. Under this agreement, the wine produced in the 565 hectares can be sold as a Slovak wine Tokaji. However, Slovakia inconformity with the first agreement in 2009 demanded that the surface increased to 908 hectares. However, there is a difference between the agreements of these countries. The wine is produced in the small region of Slovakia, is not legally obliged to make by following the same standards, that law Hungarian established in 1990.

Finally, this Tokaj take off, led to the appearance in the region a total of 600 wineries, with 50 of them produce all varieties of wines Tokaji. This regeneration has not been the same in both countries. The Slovak side has not enjoyed many privileges and subsidies from Europe than the Hungarian region. There has been major economic injection, causing a difference between the two areas with regard to economic, technological advancement, and wine production.

Differences between the Tokaj region of Hungary and Slovakia

A boundary-line brand differences. And although it is considered that the historical region of Tokaj forms a single unit landscape, there are differences between the two countries:

- The vineyards of Slovakia have much less extent than the Hungarian. Be placed unequal 15% from Slovakia to 85% from Hungary.

- The landscape of vineyards of Hungary is characterized by the presence of many wine houses at the vineyards, while in Slovakia there are very few.

20 - Although both countries receive aid from the European Union to modernize production and new technical of the wine of Tokaj, Hungary receives contributions than Slovakia.

- The Hungarian vineyards are more modernized and more advanced technology than the Slovak.

- The main sales in Slovakia were destined to the local market, whereas Hungarian exports more to the outside.

- Many of the Hungarians living in Slovakia Tokaj region, while very few Slovaks living in the Tokaj region in Hungary.

21 References

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