Foods and drinks [antikvár]

All through Hungarian history, To-kajhegyalja and the Tokaj region have always played a prominent role in the fights for independence and in the de-velopement of the Hungarian language. Tokaji wines are symbols of national values.Probably there is no other Hungarian word mentioned as often all over the world as the word "Tokaj". Poets, writers, statesmen and artists of the world have praised few other drinks as often and as highly as Tokaji wine.Grapes and wine are as old as mankind, they appear as subjects carved in stone, in paintings, as a divine medium. It appears in myths and legends as a sacred drink. It is also a symbol of fertility and wealth.The collection of all works written over the centuries on the fame and beneficial effects of Tokaji wines as a drink complementing meals is more scant. Intoday's hectic world, less and less time is devoted to wine sampling and having a chat while taking a glass or two of wine. As nowadays people tend to drink wine mostly with meals, this publication discussing wine as a complement of meals can be regarded a stop-gap work.Tokaji wines can be drunk before, during and after meals. This booklet presents them also as a basic ingredient for the preparation of dishes.Unfortunately, many Hungarians take liqueur as an apéritif, forgetting that a Tokaji dry szamorodni drunk before a meal is very good also for the health. Its fine, pleasant acidity and mellow aroma blend into a perfect harmony and have a favourable effect on gastric juices.Do we really know the Tokaji wines well? We can truly appreciate only what .we know well. This publication wishes to tell the readers more about the secrets of Tokaji wines so that they can relish more consciously this "national wealth".The authors of this booklet are confident that the information on wines and the recipes given will be welcomed by those who really enjoy the delights of life.Perhaps it is fitting to close this preface with the lines from a verse by Pablo Neruda, the Nobel prize winning Chileanpoet:"With all your fragrance, Tokaji wine bring the world of lucidity to my troubled heart,set in order my unbalanced mind!"Dr. Sándor Bodnár Head of the Viticulture Department Wine Combine of Tokajhegyalja State Farm, Sátoraljaújhely