The Tokaj Renaissance Association: Preserving Tradition

This 18th century system divided about 13% of the area into first, second, and third growths. In the early 1990s, a number of wineries owning classified vineyards chose to join forces in an effort to restore the world’s first recognized natural sweet wine domain to its former glory.

 

In this way, the Tokaj Renaissance Association was founded by 8 large and middle-sized wineries. In the years since then, the association has admitted new members and now serves as the uniting force among the top twenty wineries of the region.

 

Steeped in tradition, the history of wine guilds and confréries extends back to the days of knights and kings. Confréries were established in most noted wine-growing regions to foster traditions and to celebrate the joys of wine. The Confrérie of Tokaj Chevaliers de Vin (Knights of Wine) was formed in the Rákóczi Cellar of Tokaj, the place where knights from Transylvania and beyond the River Tisza elected János Zápolya King of Hungary in 1526. The Tokaj Confrérie has an established code of ethics to which members are expected to abide. Ceremonies follow a strictly defined order, and evoke a sense of solemnity and pageantry which is reinforced by the Confrérie’s elaborate costumes, its flag, and its continued use of the important, historical cellar.

 

Not only are the ceremonial aspects strictly regulated, but wine making is also held to strict standards by the association’s charter. Christened the “Tokaj Renaissance,” the association’s ambition is to restore the reputation of the world’s oldest wine title and to promote these great white wines that once enchanted the high courts of Europe. As the saying goes, Tokaj is the “wine of kings and king of wines.”

 

As a World Heritage Site, Tokaj is watched over by the members of this prestigious association, ensuring the protection of wine making customs, specific soil conditions, vine quality and production procedures. In this way, the products of Tokaj are always ensured to be of world-class standard, and well worth a taste.

 

Aiming to protect and promote the concept of Great Growth Wines in the Tokaj region and to promote wine tourism, the Renaissance Association organizes wine exhibitions and tastings and contributes to the publication of informational materials about the region.

 

For a complete list of members click here!

 

Tokaj Renaissance, Classified Vineyards of Tokaj
3910 Tokaj, Kossuth tér 15.
Tel: +36 47 353 612
tokaji@tokaji.hu
www.tokaji.hu