Tastings with influencers

On Friday, a private tasting takes place among the winemakers. On Saturday when the event becomes public, Furmint enthusiasts can attend in several type of wine tastings where wine influencers and winemakers will speak about the different aspects of Furmint. Among the speakers you’ll find Furmint-makers not only from the Lake Balaton but the Tokaj and Somló area as well. Tickets are already available.

In the afternoon at the community center a photo-exhibition and a film-screening attract their enthusiasts. In the restaurants accoustic concerts provide a tingling atmosphere until the end of the day. On Sunday, guests can attend brunches, vineyard tours and tasty outdoor cooking by the Gastro-Hack team.

Tickets and detailed program (website is only Hungarian)

Participant wineries:

Balassa Bor, Barnabás Pince, Bott Frigyes, Budaházy Pincészet, Egly Szőlőbirtok és Borászat, Garamvári Szőlőbirtok, Gilvesy Pincészet, Homonna Birtok, Homola Pincészet, Jásdi Pince, Káli Kövek Borászat, Laposa Birtok, Losonci Pince, Majoros Birtok, Pálffy Pince, Skrabski Pince, Somlói Apátsági Pince, Somlói Vándor Pince, Szent Donát Birtok, Trombitás Borház

Wine dinners

Köveskál is a tiny village, but it has three marvellous restaurants. On Furmint Days they will hold wine dinners where wellknown sommeliers will find matching wines.

Friday menu in KÁLI ART INN:

Sommelier: Alexandrosz Takács

“5 lives of a pig”
– Mangalica ham with roast beef and levander and quince jelly with almond
– Pig’s ear and skin chips with cilantro flavored piglet essentials, pears in vinegar marinated beans

• Parsley sorbet with mint
• Crunchy pork chops and goose liver, with semolina gnocchi with porcini mushrooms
• Piglet head garnished with spinach-potato cake, aubergine and cherry tomato
• Chocolate and grapes (Belgian chocolate ganache, grapes with crispy sugar and mint goblets with golden candied bacon)

Saturday menu in Kővirág

Sommelier: Krisztián Juhász

• Sturgeon/ celery/ zucchini
• Onions / truffles / eggs
• Rabbit liver/ pear/ Jerusalem artichokes/ caramel
  – Arugula soup, chargrilled apple, blue cheese
  – Duck/ lemon chick peas/ sweet potato/ nut
  – Curd/ raspberry/ Honeycomb toffee

Two Furmint wines to raise your appetite

Laposa Estate is one of the participating wineries, and their ’Kőkövön’ Furmint fits well into the event: the word ’kő’ means stone in Hungarian, you can find this word in the name of Köveskál and in the name of some restaurants (Miakő, Kővirág) – and of course you will find basalt stones everywhere in the region. „This is an irregular Furmint wine. Zesty, lively on the nose, and mainly mineral on the palate. A light yet elegant wine with great length.”

Garamvári Winery will also participate, they come from the South of Balaton, and their méthode traditionelle Furmint Brut proves that the variety is ideal as a base wine of a sparkling wine. ”Character-based fruitiness of the varietal can be sensed alongside the dynamic acids. Quince, citruses, mango tastes combined with sweet spices like cloves and cinnamon.”

Why Condé Nast loves Budapest

“Almost thirty years after the fall of communism, Hungary’s capital has reclaimed its title as “Paris of the East.” Investors are breathing new life into the former crown jewel of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, reviving the grand boulevards and opulent architecture of yesteryear alongside hyper-modern, high-design projects of the future. 

Today’s Budapest is a place to toss aside the map and get lost among the castles, palaces, parks, and lookout points lining the Danube River (and to pop into clandestine lounges on side streets to sample Hungarian wines, of course). Base yourself at Aria Hotel Budapest, which celebrates the greats of music past through thematic guest rooms, curated in sound and style by musical directors and separated into four wings by genre – classical, contemporary, jazz, and opera. It also houses Central Europe’s premiere all-season rooftop bar, plus a restaurant in partnership with the legendary c. 1858 Café Gerbeaud.”

Read the whole article:
https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-places-to-go-this-winter

Aria Hotel – enchanted by music

Aria Hotel indeed has a unique concept with the four wings – four music genres. If you are fed up with boring, moderately brown and grey uniformised interiors, Aria is the best choice with its sometimes shocking furniture. A bath tub in the middle of a room? Why not! Music is everywhere – no wonder the restaurant is called Stradivari.

Wine recommandions from Stradivari’s wine list

• Sauska Brut, Tokaj

A stunning méthode traditionelle sparkling wine – available by the glass – from Tokaj, mostly Furmint with a touch of Hárslevelű and Chardonnay. You won’t need anything with this glass, enjoy the atmosphere and prepare for un unforgettable dinner.

• Laposa Pino, Badacsony, 2016

You can enjoy this 100% Pinot Gris by the glass, a good start, pair it with duck liver bonbon (accompanied with beetroot, blood orange and hazelnut). On the palate the wine shows a fairly mature, complex face – it completely fills the mouth. The perfect encounter of the variety and the volcanic soil from Badacsony wine region.

• Kopár, Gere Attila, Villány, 2012

Well, it is not common at all to offer iconic Kopár by the glass, however in Aria’s Stradivari you can taste it! Tournedos Rossini (beef tenderloin, foie gras, seared mushrooms, red wine truffle jus, spinach) might be a match with the superb red wine.

2017 – new concept together with Gerbeaud owner

Budapest’s legendary Gerbeaud Café is one of Europe’s oldest most famous cafés and confectioneries. Gerbeaud was established in 1858 by Henrik Kugler, and its second owner, Émile Gerbeaud made it world-famous by the turn of the century. Just like the founding fathers, Katalin Pinter, owner of the family-owned Gerbeaud Group strives to make each Gerbeaud offering an exceptional experience for the guests. Katalin, together with daughter, Anna and son, Attila Niszkács, have founded and operate Michelin-star Onyx Restaurant, bringing local ingredients and Hungarian tradition to the table with contemporary cooking techniques. They also own and operate Émile in a beautiful Buda cottage, and Bistro, a Hungarian restaurant located in Gerbeaud House. The family has also established Gerbeaud Cafés in Seoul and in Tokyo. In Spring of 2017, Gerbeaud’s culinary expertise is set to elevate the Aria Hotel Budapest’s already highly praised guest experience, not only in Stradivari Restaurant and High Note SkyBar but also including extraordinary packages for weddings, social, and corporate events.

5 great value wines for Christmas
(that you can taste and buy at the event)

 

• Evolution Rosé, Garamvári Winery

A lovely rosé méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine: “Wild raspberries and wild cherries at start following with subtle, yeasty, biscuity notes with dynamic, agreable acids.” If you are there, don’t miss tasting of their 2007 Magnum Prestige Brut.

• 4Hegy Olaszrizling, Laposa Wine Estate, 2016, Badacsony

A complex, mature Olaszrizling from volcanic soil, from four different vineyards. 80% of the wine was fermented and aged for 3 months in big barrel, while 20% of the wine was vinified with reductive technology. “A typical example of the grape variety. Overwhelming fruitiness, a hint of mint, some citrus, salty and basalt notes. Wonderful balance of acidity and minerality, superb harmony.”

• Pinot Noir 2015, Etyeki Kúria, Etyek

Undoubtedly one the best Pinot Noir wines in Hungary. Elegant, velvety, fruity – it will be the crown of the table. “Intense sour cherry and blackcurrant notes, slight spiciness and a touch on chocolate on the nose. On the palate juicy, luscious fruits, pleasant acidity, velvety texture. Elegant, Burgundy style Pinot Noir.”

• Piripio Rosé, Kristinus Estate, 2017, South Balaton

Rosé in winter? Yes, if it’s a complex one, it fits well for fish dishes typical at Christmas time. Or you can drink it by itself, when you are exhausted by all the preparations… “A little girl growing up into a mature woman. Not really a spritzer wine; it’s not only possible to be sipped on its own, it should be! Finally a rosé that is deeper and more complex than most!” (The fact sheet is vintage 2016, but the new 2017 vintage of the same style is available at the event).

• Dereszla Furmint, Dereszla Winery, 2016, Tokaj

Furmint, the flagship variety of Hungary gives a versatile wine, ideal for food but you can enjoy it by itself during a friendly chat. This Furmint is made with reductive technology, and the fruit came from superb vineyards like Lapis and Dereszla. “On the nose green apple and citrus aromas, while on the palate fresh fruits can be discovered. Mineral character with firm, crispy acidity.” (The fact sheet is vintage 2015, but the new 2016 vintage of the same style is available at the event).

This year – a masterclass on Hungarian wines

DiVino.Taste is well know for its excellent masterclasses (see some speakars of the past below), and this year one of the masterclasses will present Hungarian wines – of course with a little twist, with something new in each case. Here is the list of wines and the reason for presenting them:

– Furmint – the flagship grape variety of Hungary, the famous grape of Tokaj. But have you tasted it in a méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine?
Tokaj Furmint Brut, Garamvári Winery, South Balaton

– Sometimes Hungarians are able to cooperate, work together, place the needs of the community ahead of their own needs. BalatonBor, the community wine of Balaton broader region is a wonderful example of it. BalatonBor, Laposa Winery, Badacsony, 2016

– Aromatic grapes are important in Hungary, popular and well sold. However they are not only meant for everyday consumption, they can be elegant and gracious as well!
Irsai Olivér, Babarczi Winery, Pannonhalma, 2017

– Furmint is the most important grape variety according to many experts, but there are quite as many who prefer Hárslevelű to Furmint, and say that it has even more flavours and more potential.
Grófi Hárslevelű, Tornai Winery, Somló, 2013

– Kadarka is known as Gamza in Bulgaria, and the Bulgarian Gamza wines are usually more complex than Hungarian Kadarka wines – however recently several clone selections have been carried on, and they have spectacular results.
Kadarka, Heimann Family Winery, Szekszárd, 2016

– Bikavér blend used to flood the lower shelves of supermarkets, and thus its reputation is not too shiny. But things have changed, years passed, and now the red blend called Bikavér is a controlled, magnificent wine style.
Egri Bikavér, Superior, Tóth Ferenc Winery, Eger, 2013

– Cabernet Franc is rarely used in itself, usually blended – like in Bordeaux. However the variety “has found its home in Villány” – as Michael Broadbent said once when visting Villány wine region.
Kővilla Selection Cabernet Franc, Csányi Winery, Villány, 2012

– Everyone knows Tokaji Aszú, but have you heard about ‘Máslás’ and ‘Fordítás’? Ancient styles and still made!
Tokaji Fordítás, Zsirai Winery, Tokaj, 2008

– ‘Puttony’ is a well known expression when speaking about Tokaj – but according to the recent regulation the word Puttony is not to be used for signing the sugar content of a Tokaji Aszú.
Tokaji Aszú (equivalent of 6 puttonyos), Pajzos Tokaj, 2013

Irsai Olivér – a representative of the new vintage

One of the favourite wines of the above wine list will undoubtedly be Babarczi Irsai Olivér, the only wine from 2017. The typical notes of Irsai Olivér grape variety are well represented in 2017 vintage. The colour of this wine anticipates the featherlight body and its freshness. On the nose and palate the muscat flavours of Irsai Olivér dominate the wine – the intense, attractive muscat notes “jump out” of the glass! A lovely, refreshing wine typical of the grape variety.

The idea behind DiVino.Taste

Gourmet Publishing is organising wine events since 2010 and DiVino.Taste is the crown of their work. The idea behind the forum is to organise a simple, business and clients oriented, meeting point, where all the Bulgarian producers can be presented on an equal footing, divided by main regions and sub zones. The key position in the heart of Sofia is also very important for the clients and the image of the event in general. The additional program of seminars and master classes are the added value of the event with interesting and useful tasting subjects and speakers such as Michel Rolland, Angelo Gaja, Dr. Wine Danielle Cernili, Caroline Gilby MW, Konstantinos Lazarakis MW and many more.

Taste our wines made of indigenous grapes

Do you like exploring new taste, new styles, wines made of unknown grapes? Then Hungarian Wine Expo is a place for you. Here are some ideas how to start your walking around tasting.

Kékfrankos

Kékfrankos is the most planted red grape in Hungary. It gives fruity, elegant, complex wines with long ageing potential. A lovely example will be presented by Tóth Ferenc Winery – visit their table and taste Kékfrankos as a varietal wine and then in a blend (in their famous Bikavér).

Furmint

The “flagship” grape variety of Hungary. It ripens late and has a nose of fresh fruits, often compared to ripe pear. Its significant acidity and alcohol produce characterful wines sometimes with a touch of tartness. Furmint originates from Tokaj, and there are several evidences to prove that, one of them is the mention of the variety as early as 1611 in a document from Erdőbénye, Tokaj region. Why not taste it with bubbles? Garamvári Tokaji Furmint Brut is a wonderful evidence how versatile this grape is.

Irsai Olivér

Ripening early, it gives a very aromatic, intense wine with grapey aromas, delicate spices. Easy drinking wine with medium-low acidity and alcohol, almost always vinified reductively for instant consumption. A beautiful example is Haraszthy Sir Irsai (for the story of Irsai, read our Grape Dictionary).

Juhfark

Juhfark is grown almost exclusively in the small volcanic hill of Somló, a small amount in Balatonfüred. Rather neutral, restrained nose with some flowers and green apples. High, sometimes brutal acidity. It is really difficult to tame this variety, but there are amazing examples of it in history! If you are not afraid of straightforward acidity, take a chance on it, taste Kreinbacher Juhfark!

Olaszrizling

It is grown all over Hungary, in fact the most widely planted grape in the country, and popular in the whole Carpathian basin. It ripens rather late, in good vintages even shrivels. When young, there are flowers on the nose, on the palate full of flavours and there is a little bitter almond note in its aftertaste. It has a pleasant, refreshing acidity. Olaszrizling is capable of long barrel aging. Laposa Selection Olaszrizling is an evidence of the great potential of the variety.

Hárslevelű

Its wine is more aromatic than Furmint with delicate linden honey aromas, sometimes elderflower. Elegant, subtle wine can be made from Hárslevelű with refined acidity, creamy texture and a touch of spices. Its name is literally ‘linden leaf’ and comes from the shape of the leaf which resembles that of the tree. According to some recent DNA researches Furmint is the parent of Hárslevelű.
Taste it in the “king of the wines”, in a beautiful Tokaji Aszú by Patricius.

Cabernet Franc

It is a kind of odd one out here – it is not an indigenous variety of course, however “Cabernet Franc has found its natural home in Villány” – said Michael Broadbent renowned British wine expert, and the wine region does his best to make the grape feel comfortable there. Bock Cabernet Franc is a complex, beautiful example of the variety.

October is dedicated to Hungary

The Hungarian Days in Latvia have become a tradition dedicated to strengthening and celebrating cultural relations between Hungary and the Republic of Latvia since 2015. The Hungarian Days provide both Latvians and foreign visitors with opportunities to participate in, and enjoy all forms of arts and culture. Through the one month event marathon, Hungarian artists and Latvian partners come together and invite everyone to participate in interactive and educational activities to discover Hungarian cultural spirit and passion.

19th International Wine Show – more than 70 wineries

„International Wine Show Prague – leading industrial B2B wine trade meeting for winemakers/wine distributors from home and abroad and local buyers. This wine presentation takes place biannually in the Czech Republic at the Hilton Hotel Prague. Expertise, perfect knowledge of the local market, a team of experienced staff. More than 600 visitors and over 70 exhibitors.” The list of exhibitors reflects international taste: besides the most represented Italian and French wineries, you will find Greek, Australian, Argentin, Israeli, Lebanese wineries. There will be a quite good selection of Hungarian wines displayed by 10 wineries. Do not miss VYLYAN VINEYARDS AND WINERY and BOCK ESTATE from Villány, LAPOSA WINE ESTATE from Badacsony, THUMMERER WINERY from Eger, KOCH WINERY from Hajós-Baja, ETYEKI KÚRIA from Etyek-Buda.

The event is free of charge for trade members.

Vylyan – together with nature

“We believe that the quality of wine is mainly determined by the grape. Fine wine can be made only with excellent grapes since we start with the fundaments even when building a house. We believe in nature, each other and ourselves. All of our knowledge and belief is embodied here.” Vylyan Vineyard and Winery is situated in Villány wine region, and can boast with several important international acknowledgements, for example with a Decanter World Wine Award Regional Trophy for their Pinot Noir 2004. Their wines are of great quality from the easy drinking “Macska” (literally ‘cat’) to the complex, layered, elegant Montenuovo Cuvée. “This wine is a well balanced blend with a golden mean between the full-bodied and the lively-fruity styles. Its bright, fruity upbeat is filled with diverse scents in which varieties come together in a harmonising accord. The luscious aroma is completed with hints of spices.”

Afterparty with breathtaking view

If you completed the run you deserve it, if you did not, you might get the feeling and try it next year – one thing is sure: you will fall in love with Balaton at frissTerasz (literally „Fresh Terrace”) on Badacsony mountain on Kisfaludy road, probably the most spectacular road that runs up the top of the mountain. Enjoy the fresh Laposa wines and the amazing view, relax and have fun!

The day after – Szászi and Sabar

After the afterparty you must not drive, you’d better stay at lake Balaton. Szászi Winery is a wonderful organic winery on the neighbouring volcanic mountain, Szent György mountain. The winery has a restaurant with delicious dishes made of local ingredients, and the view is again unforgettable. Try their indigenous, flowery, unique Kéknyelű! Vulcanus, Rózsakő, Zeusz – more indigenous grapes from which Szászi makes the exemplary wines.

Sabar is a smaller hill among the volcanic witness mountains of Balaton Upland – as they say: a little hill with great experiences. The winery makes clean, great single vineyard wines of Olaszrizling and Rhine Riesling and they also have a Kéknyelű and a Kékfrankos rosé. The cellar is a place of quitness, wonderful to relax. The cellar is open every day, except for Sunday, however on Sunday you can find Sabar wines in the local market called Liliomkert (Lily garden). The market is heaven for bargain seekers with antique furniture, local cheese, ham, fruit, vegetables, wines and many other things.