Slovakia (officially the Slovak Republic) is a landlocked country, described as being either on the eastern edge of Western Europe or on the western edge of Eastern Europe. This dichotomy reflects the state's recent history of frequent political unrest in the region. The land that is now Slovakia was an integral Part of Hungary">Hungary for almost 900 years, but became independent when the Austro-Hungarian Empire was dismantled after World War I. Almost immediately, Slovakia became a part of Hungary.
Almost immediately, Slovakia aligned with Bohemia and Moravia (now the Czech Republic), Silesia and Carpathian Ruthenia to form Czechoslovakia. This union lasted until the Velvet Revolution of 1989. Since 1993, the Slovak and Czech Republics have remained cordially independent.
Since the dissolution of the Eastern bloc and Slovakia's separation from its western neighbour, the Czech Republic, Slovakia has adopted its European status.
It joined the European Union and NATO in 2004, the Schengen area in 2007 and the Eurozone in 2009. It is now one of the fastest growing economies in the OECD, and its once troubled wine sector is showing signs of recovery. Although early attempts to privatise the sector failed, New wine laws and the continued growth in global wine consumption have revived the country's wine producers. The majority of Slovak wines are still sold on the domestic market or in neighbouring Poland and Ukraine, but a small number of producers are ready to develop international export markets.
Furmint is a very old Hungarian grape variety. It arrived in France in the 1800s. The bunches of Furmint are of medium size. They are compact and cylindrical. The berries are also of medium size. They are either short elliptical or rounded. Their thick skin changes from greenish white to reddish once the fruit is mature. This grape variety is known throughout the world for being part of the composition of the Hungarian Tokaj vintage. Robust, rich in alcohol and acidity, it needs light soil and a warm, dry climate to be fertile. It must also be pruned short and its budding takes place 7 days after the Chasselas. As for its maturity, it is of the second late period. This grape variety fears grey rot and erinosis. When vinified dry, Furmint produces a very fragrant, fine and highly alcoholic white wine.
white wines from the region of Slovak Republic go well with generally quite well with dishes of pork, rich fish (salmon, tuna etc) or spicy food such as recipes of spanish paella, fresh salmon risotto or garantita or karantita (algerian recipe).
On the nose in the region of Slovak Republic often reveals types of flavors of apples, tree fruit or citrus fruit and sometimes also flavors of red fruit, tropical fruit or earth.
The award-winning author shares his observations from half a century of wine discovery in his latest book, Drinking with the Valkyries. Jefford was praised for the ‘peerlessly precise use of the English language’ displayed within his collection of revised essays, opinions and articles. However, he faces fierce competition from a trio of highly-rated drinks writers: Dave Broom, Jennifer Regan-Lefebvre and Camper English. Broom, a former André Simon winner, travels around his native Scotland visit ...
The announcement of the National Restaurant Awards 2022 again confirmed London’s supremacy in the British dining scene. The capital occupies 60 out of the 100 best restaurant spots, as well as seven of the top 10. The two leading restaurants, however, will require London foodies to travel and attest to the vibrancy of the British scene as a whole: Ynyshir in Machynlleth, Powys (Wales) and Moor Hall in Aughton, Lancashire, occupy the first and second spots respectively. Led by chef Gareth Ward, a ...
Along Sonoma Coast’s Bodega Highway, morning fog in summer can feel as wet as a rainstorm. The area is populated by redwoods, trees that feed on such moisture to create a microclimate of cool, damp air. Their needles gather humidity, dripping it onto the ground below over the course of the day. Vineyards in this southwest section of Sonoma County grow tucked within the forest, enjoying an extended growing season compared to outlying areas. The trees moderate the heat and reduce the impact of dro ...
