5 questions for Mr. Ostrožovič, personified energy of Slovakian Tokaji

Jaroslav Ostrožovič is considered, for just reasons, one of the elite winemakers of the Tokaj region and of the whole Slovakia. His enthusiasm, diligence and creativity are the main drive of the revitalizing process that restores the well - earned respect to the region. The winery, which he runs together with his wife Jarka, attracts winelovers to Velká Tŕňa not only by means of exceptional wines, but also by original social activities.

1) Do you remember your first encounter with the drink of Gods ? When was it and what linked your fate with wine?

I was born in a vineyard region, in Tokaj. During the period of grapevine harvest, that always lasted well into November there, I smelled daily the aroma of overripe grapes and fermenting musts. I still love this smell even today. However, the closest that I came to cultivating grapevine and production of wine in the times of my studies was at a high school in western Slovakia, in Modra. There I definitely decided that wine is going to become not only my passion, but also my life.

2) What is it that fascinates and attracts you most in wine?

The wine is nature. Grapes are shapeable material and the winemaker can work with it like a sculptor with a piece of delicate clay… Each grape is different, each has its personality, its face. A good winemaker will only help it to get out of its imaginary shell and to blossom into beauty. I enjoy this work and it fascinates me. It is creative and if you succeed, it leads to both a good feeling and a piece of art...

3) What makes you worry most in today’s world of wine?

Wrinkles sometimes appear, of course. The reason is the amount of „wine beverages“ in Slovak selling stands that make an effort to look like real wine, produced from grapes. Also the well subsidized products imported to Europe from the third world countries, with which prices of the wine produced in our climate cannot compete. And last but not least, I have wrinkles on my forehead because of the permanent lack of enlightenment and information for Slovak consumers. Small winemakers will not handle it on their own here, resp. it will take them much longer. Our company has been working on it more than 18 years and it will continue working tirelessly on.

4) What unique unmistakable features of your wines are you proud of?

We live in Tokaj. We produce Tokaji wines. And these are really unmistakable. We are only few in Slovakia in this vineyard region, but just as in other vineyard areas, each producer leaves their own footprint on their wines. Our company elaborates on three Tokaji varieties with various attributes, from late harvest wines to ice wines and straw wines. We are always trying out new things and sometimes it works out really great. The acmes are then the classic Tokaji 3 to 6 puttonyos. These are rare wines and we are proud of each gained medal.

5) You may take with you two bottles of wine to a desert island. One of your own production and one of your competitors’. Which do you choose?

From our production, it is surely Muškát žltý (Muscat Lunel), selection of grapes. It is a wine that caresses and that would be able to make pleasant even certain death… From the wines of competition, I would choose something very nice from Miloš Michlovský. He hides „jewels“, from which I would be glad to choose!!!