Eszencia: the essence, intrinsic nature (Latin – to be)
When is it good to be Hungarian?
A trite question with trivial answers. But we cannot deny there are occasions in our lives when this question does present itself – even if we do not feel it is absolutely necessary to give a reply. It is simply good to experience. Not out of pride, especially not from self-satisfaction. It is purely a good feeling; it fills one with a sort of warmth to feel something related to us is actually very special. It is ours.
Why did this thought occur to me in relation to the 2015 Great Tokaj Wine Auction? Well, it is no coincidence. An extremely fresh experience brought me to this thought. Less than two weeks ago I held a Krakow tasting of wines from the Tokaj Women and Wine Association. Although not expressly a professional tasting, it was full of useful information. It’s a good thirty years since I last visited that wonderfully attractive city. Lots of young people, a great atmosphere, well-looked after heritage buildings. Some 50 guests attended the tasting, some of whom were unable to sit down in the beautiful salon of the recently opened consulate. I was genuinely surprised and, of course, delighted to discover that apparently some had travelled from Warsaw. Many guests were already familiar with several producers, and there was no great need to explain either the varieties or the vintages. Participants were both positive and wonderfully curious. They greeted the wines as acquaintances, actually more as friends. And I felt nothing artificial in their approach. It was simply good to be Hungarian.
Just as it was a pleasure to be part of the Great Tokaj Wine Auction both this year and last. It is said that we should not wait for the great moments in life, but experience them. And that is exactly what it seemed like at both auctions. The great moment is appreciated when we do not simply do things as routine. The tastings were unique, unrepeatable experiences, meetings with wines that I am unlikely to ever taste again. So there was nothing to wait for, only to live and experience the then and there, that which will continue to mature in the bottles – without me. So we have to take the opportunity too, even if the wine in our glass is not necessarily the greatest wine experience we will ever have. Which is, undeniably, not out of the question since impressive lots went under the hammer on both occasions. Bidders from Hungary and abroad alike sensed that we were privy to the moment that Tokaj had created for us. We were able to experience and accept the essence of the wine region and with it, the Carpathian Basin.
Gabriella Mészáros, AIWS