Minute Lounge & Bar is supposed to be a coctail bar with creative, 21st century mixed drinks, but the bar is worth a visit for wine connosseurs as well. Minute Bar is situated in Andrássy Avenue, the „Champs-Elysées” of Budapest, and with its outstanding selection of drinks it promises to be one of the highlights of Budapest nightlife.

„Creating a coctail is the art of surprises and experiences. It is not different from composing music or shaping a piece of art. Innovative flavours that do not exist in nature, true synergie. The taste of a coctail is determined by the combination of the different elements to achieve a much more exciting outcome than just the mere addition of the components” – says Mátyás Barta bar manager, and looking at the coctail menu, we believe him. „Bedtime story” is said to be a coctail for those who loved hot chocolate as a child, and still cherich the kid deep in their soul. Bestime story is made of herb liquor, cinammon, lapsang, cocoa and acid mix. You can even ask Minute Bar staff to impress you with your personal coctail! The bar offers snacks all day (the bar is open every day from 12.00–24.00). The wine list is fresh and exciting with some small cellars, of course with some Champagnes and some icons from Hungary and abroad. Let us recommend two wines from Hungary.

 

A big classic from a small mountain

Kreinbacher Estate showed the world that Hungary’s smallest wine region, the volcanic Somló can produce méthod traditionelle sparkling wines of Champagne standard. The estate can boast with several trophies and Best in Hungary titles, in fact they are the most successful Hungarian winery of CSWWC (the Oscar of sparkling wines created by Tom Stevenson). Kreinbacher Classic Brut is made of 57% Furmint, 29% Chardonnay, 14% Pinot Blanc and is aged for a minimum of 18 months. „White-fleshed fruits, biscuit and discrete flowers – enticing aromas line up in the nose. Besides the distinct fruitiness of Furmint, the most respected grape variety for sparkling wines, Chardonnay ensures great elegance. Refreshing grapefruit, lime and peach arrive first on the palate, the layered character is enhanced by brioche, nuts and some saltiness. The mousse is soft and enduring, the dosage ensures an ideal balance. Fine choice for each and every occasion.”

More about Kreinbacher Estate

A lush wine from a bare place

’Kopár’, the iconic vineyard in Villány wine region is ’kopár’ indeed (the word ’kopár’ means ’bare’) on most places, but thanks God there are enough vines planted on these magic slopes as well. Csányi Winery has recently released its first Super Premium Villányi Franc (the highest classification of Cabernet Franc in Villány) from Kopár vineyard. „Intense nose abundant with forest fruits and spices. Luscious, attractive palate with notes resulting from the roasting of the oak, blueberry and raspberry. Full bodied but not heavy and a perfect expression of the elegance of the grape variety. A true Villány wine!”

More about Csányi Winery

Minute Bar & Lounge

Budapest, Andrássy Avenue 8.

mail: hello@minutebar.hu
Tel:+36 1 611 7060
Web: minutebar.hu/home

A shop in the capital

However if you do not have time for a trip to Balaton, you can enjoy „the taste of the lake” in Budapest, in the very centre of the city! Deák square is really the vivid heart of this youthful capital, it used the be the main bus station, then for a while this suqare was meant to be the location of the new national theatre. Finally plans have changed, the theatre was built by the river Danube, but a hole already dug for the theatre remained. It took some years while the square has found its objective in life: now it hosts and underground parking house and some grass covered places for just killing time. In summer the square is full of youngsters sitting on the grass, with their feet in the  decoration pools, drinking wine and chatting. This square is the place where Kristinus Wine estate opened a shop, called Kristinus Borboutique (’bor’ stands for wine). Pop in, taste the new vintage Irsai Olivér, this crispy, aromatic, enchanting wine!

More about Kristinus Wine Estate

Kristinus Borbutique
1051 Budapest, Erzsébet tér 11.

Recommendations from the menu

 

– Smoked duck breast green salad with fruits
Wine pair: Teleki 2,5 Bar aerated rosé cuvée from Villány (Csányi Winery)
Though ‘bar’ in the name of the wine refers to the pressure in the bottle, it is still funny to taste 2,5 bar in 360 bar… But leave behind Maths and enjoy the light dish with this fruity, lovely sparkling wine.

More about Csányi Winery

– Pasta prosciutto with cream, seared ham and basil
Wine pair: Vylyan Kakas, Villány
Italian dishes are popular all over the world, so they are in Hungary. This rosé is fresh and fruity, its crispy acidity pairs well with the creamy plate, and in the hot, heated igloo you will enjoy the chilled rosé as if you were in a jungle – well, a city is like a jungle, after all. The name of wine is Cock or Rooster (‘Kakas’)

More about Vylyan Winery

360 Bar
Andrássy út 39, Budapest, Hungary
Opening hours: 12.00–24.00
Reservation: +36-30-356-3047
https://www.360bar.hu
https://www.facebook.com/360barbudapest/

Opening a wine bar – a logical step

Veritas (originally In Vino Veritas, the latin proverb meaning ’In Wine There is Truth’) is one of the largest and most important wine merchant of Hungary. They are quite strong at the gastronomy sector, and there international selection is getting better and better (one of their latest brand is the French Chapoutier). Besides a huge store in an outskirt of Budapest, their downtown shop attracted hundreds of visitors every week – so why not open a place downtown where people can taste as well? The new, two storeyed wine bar is just next to the store – an ideal place and easy to reach with No 4 or No 6 tram, the two main trams operating on the „Körút”, the Grand Avenue of Budapest.

Eclectic and humorous

The interior was designed by Viktor Csap, and the resulting space is full of witty ideas: elegant, but relaxed, classic, but funny, industrial and unique. The place has a capturing atmosphere, it’s good to be there – and even better to stay and order something. The selection is huge: 360 different labels, and 60 of them can be ordered by the glass (this selection is changing regularly). You can take an open bottle with you if you want. The wine bar has a kitchen as well, Attila Jakab and Dániel Tőkés chefs focus on regional products and local taste with classic dishes like duck liver, wiener snitzel, mangalitza ham. Vegan and vegetarian dishes are available.

Champion sommelier and wine dinners

Veritas Winebar aims to be the centre of wine life, thus a regular sommelier, Alíz Németh is always there to recommend wines, and three-time Hungarian sommelier champion Mátyás Szik is also team member as a consultant sommelier. Regular wine dinners are organized to show the best of the wine bar as well, the first will take place on 24 October, where the chefs will prove their talent with a five cours menu. On 25 October a Vylyan wine dinner will amuse participants celebrated the winemaker himself: István Ipacs Szabó.