5 tips for „goose feast” in Hungary

November 2, 2017

5 tips for „goose feast” in Hungary

St Martin day celebrations in November

Saint Martin has a special importance for Hungarians, since the famous bishop was born in the province of Savaria in 316 in the Roman Empire, in the territory of Hungary. As a teenager, he became Christian to his father’s dislike. His father was a soldier of the Roman Empire and made his son to join the army as well. According to the legend once Martin cut his coat with his sword and gave half of it to a beggar in the street who had been robbed of his clothes. At the age of 22, Martin baptized, and devoted all his life to God. He founded the first monastery in Europe. He was so modest, that – as the legend says – he hid among the geese to avoid being made a bishop. As a memory to his modest character, people eat dishes made of goose on his name day on 11 November. St Martin’s Day is the time to celebrate the new vintage as well, since most of the wines have already been fermented by this time. As a consequence, several wineries prepare with special goose dinners paired with wines from the new vintage. Apart from Budapest St Martin festival in Hotel Gellért, you can find numerous St Martin events in this season all around the country.

1. November 10-11., Bock Winery, Villány

A whole festival, a two day event is dedicated to St. Martin with several programs, for example with the concert of Budapest Bár – a unique supergroup of top contemporary singers and musicians. Their music has a touch of gipsy music and also the genre typical of the era between the two world wars. Apart from music programs cooking shows await the guests as well, and of course the sampling of new vintage wines.
Tickets should be bought in advance, 19 900 HUF (64 euros) / day and you get discount if participate both days (115 euro / person / two days). Price includes unlimited food and new vintage wine consumption, winery visit and the programs.
Register and ticket information here: szentmarton@bock.hu

2. November 18., 19.00, Tornai Winery, Somló

Multi award winning Tornai Winery offers a wine dinner with live music and with light hearted atmosphere. The three course dinner includes goose dishes like “drunk roasted goose legs” with garnish like cooked chestnut. Besides the welcome new vintage Olaszrizling three other new wines will be served during the dinner: Irsai Olivér 2017, Zenit 2017 and a surprise wine. Apart from the wines spirits and fresh grape juice will be served as well.
Advance booking is necessary, price: 8500 HUF (27 euros), write here: jegy@tornaipince.hu

3. November 18., 18.00, Sauska, Villány

Sauska estate in Villány offers a “party till dawn” with the “obligatory” goose dishes and live music. The dinner includes dishes like goose meat paté with goose liver, goose breast ham and goose crackling. Food will be amazing for sure, since Sauska 48, restaurant of the winery can boast with one of the best chefs of Hungary, Attila Bicsár (previously he worked in London, Chicago, Florida and in Budapest for example in Alabárdos restaurant).
Price is 14 500 HUF / person (46,5 euros). Registration is necessary: sauska48@sauska.hu
https://sauska.hu/en/contact/

4. November 18., Zsirai wine dinner (Palkonya–Somló–Villány), Palkonya (Villány)

PalKonyha is a relatively new restaurant in the enchanting village of Palkonya near Villány (the name of the restaurant is a pun on the name of the village Palkonya, changed into PalKonyha – literally “Pal Kitchen”). Kata Zsirai will introduce a brilliant wine flight with their wines from 3 wine regions, and László Ruprecht guest chef will cooperate with PalKonyha manager and chef, Zoltán Pauli.

Registration: info@fecskehaz.hu

5. November – whole month, Gere Attila Mandula Restaurant, Villány

Mandula restaurant (in Hotel Crocus), which belongs to Attila Gere Winery attuned the degustation menu for Martin’s Day during November and built the whole month around goose. Macaron stuffed with goose liver paté, goose breast wellington, roast salad, currant, duck leg and duck liver, beetroot, potato – all are worth a trip to Villány, aren’t they? Guests can taste various goose dishes and for the courses they offer light red wine like Portugieser barrel sample, but some heavier wines can also match with goose meat. The fans of fresh, fruity wines can taste other new wines: Weninger&Gere Rose Cuvée, Gere Attila Olaszrizling, and Gere&Schubert Irsai Olivér, Rosé, and Cserszegi Fűszeres from the 2017 vintage.

More info and table reservation: https://etterem.gere.hu/en/degusztacios-menu/