Tokaj Wine Region Historic Cultural Landscape, Hungary

Undoubtedly the best-known of these regions is the Tokaj region in northeast Hungary. Covering an area of just over 130 km², it was granted World Heritage status in 2002. The official name of the property is the Tokaj Wine Region Historic Cultural Landscape. 

The earliest written documents referring to winemaking in this region date back to 1561 and attest that grape cultivation and wine production have been ongoing for centuries. It’s believed that wine production may have begun here as far back as the 12th century, if not earlier.

The 19^th century saw the start of a decline in wine production in the region, which continued for many years. It was not until 1990, when the country underwent huge political changes, that the slow but steady rehabilitation of Tokaj viticulture and wine production began.

The region’s volcanic hills and flowing rivers are considered to be a huge influencing factor in the successful cultivation of grapes, with the moist conditions of the wetlands creating a special microclimate that favours the apparition of the noble rote.

Noble rote, otherwise known as botrytis, is a type of fungus which affects overripe wine grapes. The grapes are harvested at a specific stage of the infestation and are used in the production of the Tokaji Aszú wine for which the region is particularly famous.

The first written reference to the Tokaji Aszú wine came in 1571. It is said that King Louis XIV of France described it as “the king of wines and the wine of kings”, though Mozart and Goethe were also said to have been extremely partial to it.

The unique combination of topographic, environmental and climatic conditions of the Tokaj Wine Region have long been recognized as being outstandingly favourable for grape cultivation and specialized wine production.

The vaulted cellar was essentially an open space below a residential building, excavated before the house was built and accessed from the porch. The grapes were processed in a room at the rear of the house, immediately above the cellar.

There’s a saying in Hungary that goes “no one who loves wine can be evil”. This can be said to reflect the traditions and values of the Hungarian wine culture, of which the Tokaj Wine Region is an outstanding representative.

World Heritage status was granted to the region based on the following two criteria:

Criterion (iii): The Tokaj 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.

Criterion (v): The entire landscape of the Tokaj wine region, including both vineyards and long established settlements, vividly illustrates the specialized form of traditional land use that it represents.