“Mad Buzz” – sparkling wine festival in Tokaj on 25 May
The trend of bubblies go on marching gloriously, and our majestic wine region, Tokaj also gives more and more traditional and alternative sparkling wines using local grapes, mainly Furmint and Hárslevelű. The festival takes place in the pearl of Tokaj, in the village of Mád. The entrance is free, guests pay for the wines. It is relaxed event with kids, dogs, Dj-s and lots of bubbles.
‘Mádi Pezsgés’ is the name of this annual wine event, in which ‘pezsgés’ refers to a vibrant event, but it also refers to sparkling wine (‘pezsgő’ in Hungarian), while Mád is the name of the village with a suffix at the end. At this informal all day event participants can sit on the grass, dance, taste local gourmet products or just relax in a hammock.
Date and time: 25 May 2024, 13.00–24.00
Venue: Bercsényi utca, Mád, Tokaj, Hungary
By car from Budapest: 2.5 hours (220 km) via M3
By train from Budapest: 3 hours (with Tokaj Intercity and a local train from Szerencs)
Entrance: Free, wines are to be paid on the spot. A so called “Pezsgőútlevél” (‘Sparkling Wine Passport’) will be available, it gives some discount and it is fun to get stamps.
Exhibitors: The village of Mád is full of great wineries. The list is not announced yet, but guests will surely meet Zsirai, Holdvölgy, Barta, Pelle and TR wineries.
Accommodation: There are several guest houses in Mád, yet it is recommended to book as soon as possible, the event is popular, the places will be fully booked. Two suggestions:
– The fabulously renovated mansion managed by Barta Winery:
Rákóczi Aspremont Mansion
– The lovely, cosy guest house managed by Zsirai Winery.
Zsirai Guest House
Orginizer: The organizer of the event is Mádi Kör (‘The Circle of Mád Producers’), see members here.
Photos of the last edition here.
3 great bubblies from Mád
Barta Tokaji Furmint 2019
A serious player from one of the best vineyards of Tokaj. “2019 was another suitable vintage to produce a great Furmint base wine from Öreg Király. It underwent secondary fermentation in the bottle and was aged on the leesfor a minimum of 3.5 years before disgorgement.” The dosage is only 4 g/l.
More about Barta Winery
Holdvölgy ‘Hold and Holló Uppp 2022
A playful aerated sparkling wine with 8,9 g/L residual sugar, made of Zéta and Hárslevelű. The nose begins with juicy sugar melon, fresh grapefruit, later it is dominated by peach. Creamy, juicy on the palate with refreshing green applenotes, pear and citrus fruits.
More about Holdvölgy
Zsirai Méthode Traditionnelle
“We have been flirting with the idea of making a traditional sparkling wine for a long time. Finally, in 2020, all the conditions were right, and we managed to pick excellent grape from the Nyúlászó vineyard. The base wine was made from a blend of Furmint and Hárslevelű, which was aged for 18 months on fine lees after bottling. We disgorged at the beginning of October 2021, and no dosage was added. In the aroma, white-fleshed fruits, citrus and floral notes return. The fruity sip is nicely complemented by the flavours from bottle ageing and the minerality characteristic of the wine region. Well-structured, concentrated wine with a long finish. An excellent choice to make the festive moments even more memorable.”
More about Zsirai Winery
Muscat & Furmint blend by Barta from legendary Öreg Király
The grapes for the new release sweet blend by Barta Winery came from the unparallel terroir of Öreg
10 Fun Facts about Furmint
February is the month of Furmint variety, it is celebrated all over Hungary and in several other cou
Homola: the most loved brand of a “speed dating” session
Meet Homola team and taste their wines at Wine Paris (10-12 February) in France and at ProWein (16�
