Winemakers and politicians in Tokaj are united in condemnation of a proposal to site a huge power station near the celebrated wine region.
The Hungarian government is determined to put a stop to the 885-megawatt power plant – which is planned for the village of Trebisov, across the border in Slovakia to the north. If plans are approved this would be Slovakia's largest coal-fired power station.
Campaigns against the power plant have already been mounted, particularly in the Hungarian town of Satoraljaujhely, where mayor Peter Szamosvolgy is lobbying the government with some success.
Last week the Hungarian environment ministry informed the Slovakian government that it wished to vet the construction of the plant before it is issued with a licence.
Environmental groups are concerned not only for the chemical effect on the soil but an effect on the local climate. The distinctive flavour of the wines ofTokaj – some of the most sought-after sweet wines in the world – owes much to the climate of the region.
It is claimed the power station will produce an estimated four million tonnes of pollutants a year.
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Appalling news! Can Decanter organise an online petition?
Christine Juvel Cowan
That it outright crazy. The factor of the 4 million tonnes of pollutants alone seems reason enough not to build the "plant". And the effect on the "gold wine" will be catastrophic in result. Online petition seems to be a great idea.
Adam P. Curling, Sommelier, Michel Richard Citronelle, Washington DC, USA
At a time when the entire planet is concerned about global warming, when the former American vice president, Al Gore, has become an international green celebrity for his anti-pollution crusade, and when, more narrowly, winedom envisions the prospect of merlot being reared in the Arctic, the Slovak plan replicates early Industrial Revolution madness.
Tokaj is an international culinary treasure. If culinary celebrities imagine they carry any diplomatic clout, they ought to mount a protest through the European Union.
In the political forefront ought to be Tokaj's peers, Château d'Yquem and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, lest one day both estates become directly linked by a 10-lane autoroute.
'Oh yes,' we'll say, looking back nostalgically. 'I remember drinking La Tâche before it was reduced to industrial alcohol.'
Howard G Goldberg, New York City
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Appalling news! Can Decanter organise an online petition?
