The list of wineries that have won the Hungarian Wine Grand Prix has been announced. Here we will present you with the best red and white wines of 2022.
White wine category
The title of the best white wine went to the 2019 Septimus Rajnai Riesling from Cseri Winery in Pannonhalma. “In 2022, the Hungarian Wine Writers’ Circle evaluated for the seventh time the dry and semi-dry wines produced by Hungarian producers in the last five vintages,” the professional organisation said. The members of the Hungarian Wine Writers’ Circle (MBK) compiled the list of the Super 12, consisting of the finest white and red wines of the previous year.
The winners of the Hungarian Wine Grand Prix were selected from this list by blind tasting, napi.hu reports. This time ten Hungarian wine regions were represented in the 2022 Super 12 list, Tokaj and Szekszárd with 4-4 wines while Villány, Eger and Pécs with 3-3 wines. The candidates included 15 varietal wines and 9 blends.
The Hungarian Wine Writers’ Choice of Red Wines was won by the 2019 GT 50 Cuvée of Tamás Günzer Pincészer Pincészer from Villány. Pannonhalma was the first winner in the history of the competition while Villány was collecting its fourth accolade. In addition, Tamás Günzer was the first winemaker to double the award and, following his success last year, he produced this year’s grand prize-winning Hungarian red wine.
The MBK has established a special prize in honour of its founding president, József Kosárka, who passed away last year. Each year, the prize is awarded to the winery whose members nominate the most different wines in the Super 12 election.
This year, for the twentieth time, winemakers and wine lovers from Eger will gather to celebrate the end of the year with the finest wines from Eger. As in previous years, the tasting will take place on 29 December in Eger.
The first Egri Wine Salon was held in 2001. The aim of the event has remained the same since the beginning: to bring together Eger winemakers and wine lovers to taste the best wines Eger has to offer. It is a true festive walk-around tasting and social event, where the atmosphere of conversation is permeated by the calm of the festive season, the summing up of the past year’s experiences and the excitement of new plans for the coming year.
In 2022, the Agria Event Centre is the hosting venue of the Eger Wine Salon, where guests will be able to taste the exhibitors’ wines with the purchase of a ticket. Each winery will be presenting three lots, including the best wines of the winery as well as some rare and unique items.
The evening will start at 6pm, followed by the great wines of Eger and moments of fun until the programme closes at 11pm. This is guaranteed by the fact that each exhibitor will arrive with at least two Egere superior or grand superior wines.
Although the event attracts guests from all over Hungary, it is particularly popular with locals. It’s an important social event for the people of Eger, but interestingly, for another group of guests, the evening is also a personal one. Many of those born and raised in Eger are studying or working in other parts of the country, but return home at the end of the year. And after spending the holidays with their immediate family, the Wine Salon offers an opportunity to meet up with friends and dear acquaintances.
Detailed information about the event is available on the website of the Eger wine region, and tickets can be purchased in advance on the Tixa website.
Hungaria Rosé Extra Dry has once again won prestigious recognition in the home of sparkling wine. The ranking was due to its youthful fruitiness, fresh acidity, its distinctive, lush, currant-raspberry flavour and creamy finish.
Multiple world champion
Hungaria Rosé Extra Dry has once again won gold for the fourth time in a row. One of the world’s most prestigious sparkling wine competitions, the Effervescents du Monde in France takes place every year. The event, which was held in Burgundy from 29 November to 2 December, saw approximately 500 products from more than 20 countries, compared by a jury of 80 internationally recognised experts.
Photo: Facebook
One of the most outstanding characteristics of the Hungaria Rosé Extra Dry is its playful fruitiness. Its clarity is a combination of light freshness and lively bubbles. The fresh acidity, a penetrating, luscious taste of currant-raspberry, deep pink tones and a creamy finish are the perfect combination, as the judging committee highlighted.
“We are incredibly proud that our Hungaria Rosé Extra Dry has once again been awarded the gold medal at the Effervescents du Monde for the fourth time in a row. This is another proof of our winemakers’ and sparkling wine masters’ expertise. The consistent, high quality pays off. It also shows that we offer our consumers a truly premium product.
“We are particularly pleased that a widely available product has won the gold medal. Hungaria Rosé Extra Dry can be enjoyed by both our existing and new consumers. Our product is becoming a strong household name due to its growing popularity and increased sales. Therefore, a wide range of people can experience the joy of sipping sparkling wine in style”, emphasised András Csomay Marketing Manager of Törley Sparkling Wine Cellars to turizmus.com.
Prestigious international awards
Another Hungarian product, Törley’s Muscosecco also brought home a prestigious trophy, a silver medal, from the french competition. They also offer dry, sweet, and semi-sweet sparkling wines. Limited edition sparkling wines for special occasions such as Valentine’s Day, and non-alcoholic versions for those who prefer to celebrate without alcohol are also available.
As we wrote earlier, in November 2019, a Hungarian sparkling wine was also among the best at The Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships. Among the fourteen champions, the Hungarian brand Kreinbacher was featured as well, which was selected as Hungary’s best champagne for the third time.
2021 proved to be a vintage of extraordinary quality in the Eger wine region. On 22 October, for the first time in Eger a tasting will be held to showcase the wines of this year. At this special event wine lovers and experts will get the chance to taste the wines before release, in many cases as barrel samples, and find out what the top Eger Bikavérs will be made of.
Bikavér is the most important wine of the region. In 2022, a new era will begin as the wine region presents the event named after the flagship wine of the Eger region in a renewed format. The Egri Bikavér Celebration Days will take place from 18 to 29 October. The six separate events will showcase the unique character and high quality of the wine at several venues in Eger, ranging from restaurant experiences to gala dinners and walk-around tastings.
An important event of the series will be the Great Eger Wine Workshop Tasting on 22 October, which this year will be called Eger Bikavér En Primeur. The name refers to the practice in France of tasting fine wines as barrel samples before they are released for sale. At the event, the eleven wineries of Eger Wine Workshop will be joined by several wineries from the wine region to present their 2021 superior and grand superior Eger Bikavérs, which are yet to be officially released, alongside the previous vintage currently on the market.
Besides the walk-around tasting, the three thematic masterclasses offer extra excitement compared to the usual wine masterclasses by integrating gastronomy in the programme. The aim of the three lectures is to explore the gastronomic potential of Eger Bikavér and to find the best possible food pairings. To this end, guests will be able to taste three dishes at each presentation, each of which will be paired with two glasses of bikavér, so that participants can decide individually which wine they prefer with which dish.
The three themed wine courses are accompanied by unique dishes created by the chef of the Macok Bistro in Eger, János Macsinka, who has recently won the prestigeous Gundel Prize. Wines from the latest vintage of bikavérs currently on the market are accompanied by a selection of the world’s favourite dishes, including goose rilette, mini Angus burgers and charcoal cheese. The mature wines will be paired with local bistro classics: blood sausage, beef cheek and duck breast. And the grand superior bottles will be served with game dishes: venison tartare, saddle of mouflon with cranberries and game pâté.
The most important wine of the Eger wine region is the Eger Bikavér. In 2022, a new era will begin with the renewal of the event named after the Eger region’s flagship wine. The Eger Bikavér Festival will take place from 18 to 29 October. The six separate events will showcase the unique character and high quality of the wine at several venues in Eger, from restaurant experiences to gala dinners and walk-around tastings.
It is of utmost importance for local winemakers to highlight the most important community wine of the region. The autumn period, with the summer heatwave gone, is a good time to taste elegant, full-bodied red wines, which is why the Eger Bikavér Festival event series is timed for this time of year.
In the autumn, the weather conditions allow the focus to shift to indoor events. The organisers see this as an advantage, as it will allow them to present this regional wine, which is gaining in prestige both at home and internationally, in an innovative and unique series of events that will further build its reputation.
The exact time frame was set by the history of Eger, the heart of the wine region. The start, 18 October The Eger Bikavér Day is linked to the decisive event when the Ottomans abandoned the siege of Eger Castle in 1552 and retreated from Eger. The last day is the eve of the 100th anniversary of the death of Géza Gárdonyi. In the framework of the Gárdonyi 100 programme, the city will pay special attention to the writer of the Eclipse of the Crescent Moon in 2022.
What events can we expect?
The series of events will kick off with the Eger Bikavér Day on 18 October, when local winemakers will celebrate the day by walling up bottles of Eger Bikavér in the Eger Castle and then toasting the wine lovers at 15:52, a symbolic time commemorating the siege of 1552.
The Eger Bikavér Wine Gastronomy Days will start on the same day, 18 October, and run until 29 October, during which guests can taste special dishes paired with Bikavérs in local restaurants.
On 21 October, at the Eger Bikavér Gala Evening, Bistro Macok will serve dishes paired with Bikavérs and the Eger Bikavér Awards will be presented.
On 22 October, two major events will take place in simultaneously. The Eger Bikavér Wine Tour in the Szépasszony Valley will start in the morning and run until the evening. The cellars of the city’s charming wine district will offer visitors a themed programme. And the Great Eger Wine Tasting – Eger Bikavér En Primeur, a walk-around tasting, will offer an insight into the promising 2021 vintage before it’s introduced on the market.
The Eger Bikavér Grand Tasting will be the highlight of the event series. The tasting will take place in the Líceum’s Ceremonial Hall and will feature a personal presentation by local winemakers of their finest Bikavérs.
For further information, please, visit: HERE and HERE.
Almost a thousand champagnes from twenty-one countries competed for medals at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships (CSWWC) this year. CSWWC is the most prestigious international competition for only champagnes and sparkling wines.
This year saw close to 1000 sparkling wines judged over 11 days from 21 different countries with Australia, France and Italy submitting their most entries since the competition began.
Italy once again took the top of the leader board for the most medals triumphing with 53 Gold and 129 Silver medals, but France took home the most Gold medal’s this year with 55 Golds and 48 Silver medals.
For the first time we saw Australia take third place on the medal leader board, Followed by the UK, USA and Spain.
While France and Italy continue to dominate in terms of the number of their entries, the diversity of entries the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships receives from countries and regions around the world is second to none.
Sauska’s medals
This year, after an 11-day blind tasting marathon, 147 gold and 249 silver medals were awarded, of which two gold and one silver went to the Sauska winery in Tokaj, which also became the most successful Hungarian winery.
Sauska Brut repeated its success last year, and this time Sauska Brut Magnum also joined the ranks of the gold medal winners. Like last year, Sauska Rose Brut won a silver medal again.
All three sparkling wines are made the traditional way, with bottle fermentation and aging. The specialty of the lots is that they are made exclusively from grapes harvested in Tokaj. Besides Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the presence of the native Furmint varietal is decisive in all three blends.
The specialty of Sauska Brut Magnum is that it is matured in a 1.5-liter bottle which is the most ideal when it comes to classic sparkling wines. Its explosive freshness and fruitiness are due to this, while its delicate elegance is the result of 4 years of maturation.
According to the jury, Sauska Brut is “full of energy, fresh, smooth and feisty sparkling wine, with ripe pear drops, and elegant, fine, soft mousse.” In the evaluation of Sauska Rose Brut, the wine`s “friendly, easygoing character and complex fruitiness” were highlighted.
“I consider it extremely important to continuously compete internationally because they help us understand where we stand and what our chances are on the global market field. It seems that Tokaj Hegyalja has a place on the map of sparkling wines which is a great pleasure and real perspective for us.”
– emphasized Krisztián Sauska, founder of the family winery.
Specific climate conditions, diverse soils and the treasure of tradition are what make the high-quality Hungarian wines so unique. One of the world’s most renowned wine writers, journalist Hugh Johnson, mentions Hungary, along with France and Germany, as the pioneer of European winemaking traditions.
“In addition to the world-famous sweet Tokaji, fruity but full-bodied dry white wines, the pleasantly acidic Kadarka or the long-maturing Cabernet Franc have also found a home in this region. Our dry white wines and champagnes reach more and more discerning domestic and foreign consumers.” – writes bor.hu.
History of wine in Hungary
The first historical finding regarding wine production in the country’s territory dates back to the 1st century BC. The Pannonian Basin was under the Roman Empire’s authority at that time. The Romans found the regions’ conditions ideal for their viticulture. They were so successful, that Roman Emperor Domitian (81-96. AD) ordered the extermination of the vines and banned wine production, to get rid of the Italian wines’ competitors.
They started planting grapes again in the 3rd century, in today’s Croatia, spreading over to the lands that are now Hungary. Since then, there have been continuous archaeological findings that prove the existence of vineyards in the Balaton’s area. With the arrival of Hungarians in the 9th century and the adoption of Christianity, grape and wine production only became more significant and widespread.
Back then, viticulture was a mixture of both Roman, Inner-Asian and Caucasian practices. It was also affected by the converting Benedictine order, and other western people’s traditions and tastes (from Italy, Burgundy, Anjou and the Rhine Valley).
photo: MTI/Mónus Márton
After the flourishing wine production in the Middle Ages, the Turkish occupation also took a toll on the vineyards. Still, through the centuries numerous regions became famous for their wines, for example Mátra, Baranya, the Highlands of Balaton, Pannonhalma and Tokaj, just to mention a few.
Worth the visit
All the Hungarian wine regions have their own distinctive charm. Here are a few regions to visit on your next trip to Hungary.
Balaton wine region
Visiting Lake Balaton is a great vacation by itself in every season if you want to unwind on the shore. Between swimming, hiking in the hills or getting lost in the Sea of Stones, it is worth it to find some time to visit a wine cellar, for example, in Tihany, with a great view and a beautiful monastery.
View from Tihany, photo: Pixabay
Pannon wine region
Located in South-West Hungary, this region is truly a melting pot of cultures. Remains of Christianity from Roman times, Árpád-era buildings and traditions with Slavic roots are all present in this area, which used to belong to the German population. Just like its cultural roots, the surrounding nature is diverse and bountiful – perfect for autumn hikes.
Tokaj wine region
Of course, this one cannot be left out of the list. The first official wine region in Europe offers a wine that both the French Sun King and the Russian Tsars considered the most delicious. But beyond the drinks, this area is also full of atmospheric quaint little towns waiting for you to discover them. The region is dotted with hundred-year-old churches and temples with fascinating legends. It is definitely worth spending a couple of days getting lost in the ambiance of the place.
The Tokaj region, famous for its wines that have been prized since the 18th century, became an official appellation in 1737, some two centuries earlier than the famous Burgundy.
Take the road less traveled on your wine discovery tours, and you may find the oldest official controlled wine region in the world. It’s not necessarily where you might expect it – like in France or Italy. This region actually lies in Hungary (and, in a small part, Slovakia). It’s known as the Tokaj wine region.
The finest wine region
Tokaj wines (sometimes called Tokay in English) tend to be on the sweeter side, but you can’t blame them: that much sun and such idyllic conditions could make anyone sweet from head to toe. With 27 villages and towns, Tokaj in northeast Hungary is picturesquely nestled in the shadow of the Tokaj Mountains, formed by an extinct volcano. This adds to the unique microclimate and enriches the soil, creating the perfect wine-growing conditions.
It’s no wonder then that the first proof of vines growing in the region – a fossilized leaf print found in 1867 – dates back nearly 13 million years. Before years were counted in four digits, Hungarian tribes already knew techniques for producing wine and putting these vines to good use. Later the mighty oaks from around contributed to the perfection of local wines. Tokaj became known not only for the grape quality but for how the wine was matured in oak casks.
To get the most from the maturation process, Hungarians would carve cellars into the volcanic rock, which stretch nowadays for kilometers under all the villages. In the 16th and 17th centuries, winemaking flourished, and Tokaj – crowned in the famous words of France’s Louis XV “king of wines, wine of kings,” was known all around Europe. Not only was it known and appreciated in France, but also was one of the most important export goods to the Commonwealth of Poland and Lithuania.
As a treasure worth protecting, the viticulture and winemaking processes were officially recognized in 1613 and further protected in 1641. It took just another few decades to create the world’s first wine classification, with three classes of wines. In 1737 the process was completed when King Charles IV of Hungary created a demarcated wine region. Back then it was 22 villages that could – under described circumstances – use the word “Tokaj” on their labels. The new law introduced licenses for wine growing.
The Tokaj region has also received another notable award – a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage site for cultural landscape. It goes without saying that it is a must-see kind of place. While you’re there, give the actual “king of wines” a try – the Aszú variety. However, wines made from the Furmint or Hárslevelű grape varieties also shouldn’t be missed.
Readers have drawn the attention of Telex staff to the fact that a Hungarian company’s website, boraszatisegedanyag.hu, simply states in its description that they are proud to be homophobic.
“We are proud that as a company representing Christian-conservative-national-homophobic values, we are free from all immoral, hateful, anti-human and anti-life liberal-communist ideologies,” reads the official website of the company that sells auxiliary materials for oenology. This is not a joke.
This could even be a message that was posted on the website without the knowledge of M.C. Kereskedelmi Iroda Kft., the website’s operator, which deals in wine treatment materials, auxiliaries, tools and accessories. It could be the work of a hacker or a web developer in a “funny” mood, but that is not the case.
This year Hungary will boast two wonderful new luxury hotels: Lake Balaton and the most famous Hungarian wine region will both get a new five-star hotel.
The two lucky towns will be Szántód, a settlement on the shores of Lake Balaton, and Tokaj, the centre of one of the world’s most famous wine regions. The total value of the two investments is estimated at EUR 78 million (HUF 31 billion).
Hospitality group Accor and Hungarian tourism property development group Dreamland Holding have signed a partnership agreement to operate 2 five-star hotels, which will open in the last quarter of this year, napi.hu reports.
As stated in the press release presenting the developments, the Mövenpick hotel brand will make its debut in Hungary with the Mövenpick BalaLand Resort and FamilyPark in Sledon, while the Minaro Hotel MGallery in Tokaj will be the brand’s first hotel outside Budapest.
The Minaro MGallery Hotel in Tokay. Source: Facebook/Posta György
According to Magyar Építők, the luxury hotel investment aims to become the leading upscale resort in the region. The new resort will target mainly couples and small to medium-sized events, with exclusive gastronomy and a special wine selection from the Tokaj region, especially for adults.
The hotel’s design will combine the “liquid gold of Tokaj” with an “Eldorado” theme, reminiscent of South America.
The 100-room, five-star Minaro Hotel in Tokaj will open with an adjacent event centre.
The BalaLand Residence. Source: Facebook/BalaLand Residence
The BalaLand Residence. Source: Facebook/BalaLand Residence
The resort, to be completed in Szántód, on the shores of Lake Balaton, will be the first truly comprehensive resort development around Lake Balaton. It will comprise an indoor and outdoor water park and adventure park, and more than 5,000 square metres of indoor facilities – also operated by Accor – in addition to the residential park.
The BalaLand Residence. Source: Facebook/BalaLand Residence
“We are delighted to be working with one of Hungary’s leading tourism property investors. It provides an opportunity to expand Accor’s rural network and strengthen our leading position in the hospitality industry in Hungary and Central and Eastern Europe,”
said Dilek Sezer, Accor’s Director of Development for South East Europe, as Magyar Építők reported.
“Both locations have a growing international appeal: Lake Balaton is the country’s most popular leisure destination, and Tokaj is the world-renowned Hungarian wine region,”
The Eger summer has begun. And there is no better way to experience the special character of Eger wines and the vibe of the wine region than on site. That’s why local winemakers are inviting wine lovers to Eger from 15 to 19 June to showcase their refreshing white wines, fruity rosés and elegant sparkling wines at the VINO Tasting Festival.
“When it comes to finding the right wine for the summer you can rely on the usual diversity offered by the Eger wine region. The style of wines covers a wide spectrum ranging from light to more serious. So anyone attending VINO will surely have a colourful tasting experience at the festival, while searching for their favourite Eger wine for the summer in the company of the winemakers”,
says Gergő Soltész (Ostoros Family Winery) summing up why Eger is the place to be in mid-June.
What makes VINO stand out among Hungarian wine festivals is that, in addition to the wine tasting, the fun is enhanced by street musicians coming from all over the country to Eger for this weekend, as this year the festival is held at the same time as the Buskers’ Competition.
“The city centre of Eger will once again come alive. Bohemian bands and catchy tunes fill the cobbled streets, while artists create a fairytale world under the trees of Dobó Square. All that’s missing is you with a glass of wine from Eger in your hand”,
this is how Zoltán Ábry, the organiser of the Buskers’ Competition, recommends this weekend in Eger.
read also: Discover the Eger wine region this summer! – PHOTOS
The programme is further enhanced by the Street Festival of Fine Arts and a parade of the region’s artisan gastronomic delights.
Exhibitors:
383 mineral water | Agria Cheese Manufacture | Bolyki Winery and Vineyards | Dula Winery | Eger Wine Route Association | Eszterházy Károly Catholic University Winery | Egri Csillag Pálinka and Wine Apothecary | Egri Korona Winery | Gál Lajos Cellars | Gál Tibor Cellars | Gróf Buttler Winery | Halda Cheese | Juhász Brothers Cellars | Kovács Nimród Winery | Nap-völgy Winery | Nyolcas and Son Winery | Ostoros Family Cellars | Petrény Winery | Rege Estate | St. Andrea Vineyards | Stumpf Cellars | Tarjányi Cellar | Thummerer Cellars | Torma Cellars | Tóth Ferenc Cellars | Varga Cellars | Varsányi Cellars | Villa Völgy Cellars
Tired of the hustle and bustle of Budapest? Are you in the mood to take a road trip by car? Travel to some of the smallest Hungarian towns! The population of some of them barely reaches two thousand. Our article will help you discover more about them. Follow below and pinpoint the destination for your next weekend trip!
An article by Femina writes about towns that might as well be considered villages. This is because, before 2015, villages with fewer than ten thousand inhabitants could earn the title of town. If they met certain other criteria, that is. Tourists soon stumbled upon towns with barely one or two thousand people living there. Hidden in the rough, however, lay some of the most delightful settlements. They will surely captivate you with their attractions!
Pálháza
The Reformed Church of Pálháza – Source: Wikipedia
Starting off the list is Hungary’s smallest town, Pálháza. Founded in around the fourteenth century, Pálháza now boasts only a little over one thousand inhabitants. It is found in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county, belonging to the Hegyköz region. The tiny settlement gained its township in 2005. The town offers great excursion opportunities, serving as one reason it was put on the map. Take a ride on the Pálháza State Forest Railway to enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of the area. The train runs between Pálháza and Rostalló stations. In between, you will have the chance to see the wonders of the Zemplén Landscape Protection Area.
Among the most visited stations is Kókapu. This is where the hunting lodge of the late Miklós Horthy and István Bethlen is situated. Explore the tranquil lakefront of Áfonyás lake once you’re done travelling around the castle!
Őriszentpéter
Romanesque Catholic church of St. Peter – Source: Wikipedia
Well known for being the capital of Őrség, this small town is right at the tail end of Vas county. According to the latest findings, this town boasts a population of around 1200 people. Őriszentpéter serves as a cornerstone for the surrounding settlements. For example, the offices and visitor centre of the Őrség National Park Directorate and the Tourinform office are both here. If you visit, a must-see destination is the Romanesque Catholic church of St. Peter. The single-nave building is adorned with a lined doorway and inside are the remaining fragments of 17th-century frescoes.
Behind the Reformed Church, on Saturdays and Wednesdays is a farmers’ market. Make sure to pick up some local delicacies while you’re there! From meats and cheeses to pumpkin seed oil, you’ll surely find something that suits your liking.
Gönc is one of the least talked about towns in all of Hungary. What people fail to realise is just how important it was historically. Housing a little over two thousand residents, Gönc is home to some quality apricot pálinka.
Walking around on the streets will take us back in time. A landmark of the town is the Huszita house, in which we find the Gönc barrel. It became an industry standard of measurement in winemaking. During the Reformation period of Hungary, Gáspár Károli translated and preached from the Bible on the grounds of Gönc. Visit the museum in his name, where you may find the Bible exhibition as well.
The Eger summer has begun, discover the wine region as soon as possible. To get you started, pick up a few bottles of refreshing Eger Csillag or fruity rosé to take with you to the beach or a picnic in the park. But if your appetite has been whetted and want to take things to the next level, you should visit the wine region in person. Here are five tips for this summer.
How to get started?
To get in the mood for summer, chill a bottle of fresh Eger Csillag or other light white wine, Eger rosé or even a bottle of bubbly Eger wine. To get away from the often monotonous rhythm of everyday life, get a glass and take a seat on the balcony or under a tree, or even better, have a picnic! You don’t need much, just a salad, a sandwich and maybe a few ice cubes and you’re ready for a night out.
Wines made by the Károly Eszterházy Catholic University. Photo: Wineglass Communication/Press release
Secret tip
It is now a widely discredited myth that red wines should be consumed at room temperature. It would be wrong to do so in summer, and equally wrong in winter in well-heated homes. This summer, let’s experiment with something new and chill a classic Eger Bikavér with a focus on fruity aromas! It’s important that the bottle spends enough time in the fridge so that when you pour it into your glass dew drops form on it as it usually happens with a good spritzer.
The most memorable wine tastings usually take place at the wineries. The eleven wineries making up the Eger Wine Workshop are ready to welcome guests again this summer. Several wineries are open to the public during regular hours, others require advance booking. However, if what you’re looking for is a more serious guided tasting, it is always worth making an appointment before you go. You can also find information about the wineries of the Eger Wine Workshop on the Egri Bor Most website, Facebook or Instagram account.
Festival season
In addition to the many cultural and sporting events that take place in Eger throughout the summer, the city also hosts several major summer wine festivals. The VINO Tasting Festival in Eger will take place from 15-19 June on Dobó Square. The unique, spontaneous atmosphere of the event will be enhanced by the Buskers’ Competition, organised at the same time. And from 7-9 July, the Eger Wine Celebration will be held in the Eger Archbishop’s Garden, where visitors will be able to enjoy Eger wines and the iconic dishes of local restaurants.
Tibor Gál: Fúzió. Photo: Wineglass Communication/Press releaseTibor Tóth winery. Photo: Wineglass Communication/Press releaseFerenc Tóth winery. Photo: Wineglass Communication/Press release
A new direction for the Szépasszony Valley
The Szépasszony Valley, also known as Eger Wine District, has undergone a major transformation in recent years, so if it’s been a while since you last visited, it’s worth to give it a try again! You can also find some of the Eger Wine Workshop member wineries at this informal and relaxed setting, so why not visit the Ostoros Family Winery (Borzbár, cellar 33), the Petrény Winery (Petrény Völgy47, cellar 47), St. Andrea (Kedves Wine Bistro & Shop, cellar 38) or Tóth Ferenc Winery (cellar 46).
Hungary is full of attractions and curiosities. Whether with your family, friends or alone, there are plenty of places to explore. However, few may realise that the country has many places that are perfect for couples on a romantic getaway. We have compiled a list of such places below.
The Danube Bend, the Hungarian Open Air Museum, scenic views, and colourful rooftops – these are some of the things you get when you visit Szentendre.
Many people call Szentendre one of the jewels of the Danube Bend.
From Budapest, it takes less than an hour to get there by public transport. The cobbled streets are full of small cafes, pastry shops, and other places to eat. The Open Air Museum, the waterfront walk, and the Kovács Margaret Museum are unmissable stops.
Gödöllő
Facebook/ Gödöllői Királyi Kastély – Royal Palace of Godollo
Photo: facebook.com/szentistvanegyetem
Photo: www.facebook.com/szentistvanegyetem
The Royal Castle of Gödöllő. Photo: Wikimedia Commons by Pétér Lóránd
Photo: www.facebook.com/GodolloiKiralyiKastely
Photo: www.facebook.com/GödöllőiKastély
The first thing many people think of when they think of Gödöllő is the Grassalkovich Castle. Queen Elisabeth, or Sissi, as everyone knows her, was a guest here and in the park surrounding the castle.
It was here that Franz Joseph I and Sissi spent their holidays, which is why Gödöllő is Queen Sissi’s town.
A wedding exhibition is often held here. The town has many parks and a local university, which means that there are many young people. Every year, hundreds of couples choose Gödöllő as the venue for their wedding or honeymoon.
Miklós Jurisics Square in Kőszeg. Source: koszeg.hu
Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org by Darinko
Photo: www.facebook.com/koszeginfo.com
Photo: Wiki commons by Gr3mi
Kőszeg is a real romantic small town. With its Medieval castle, adventurous hiking trails, and charming main square, Kőszeg is an exceptional romantic town.
You can see a beautiful view from the Calvary Church or from the Suleyman Lookout.
The Jurisic Castle survived the Turkish siege of 1532. A boating lake is a 15-minute walk away from the Old Town. The Old Town is worth a visit for its colourful horses, the Heroes’ Gate, and the main square. After the visit, you will understand why Kőszeg is called the pearl of the Alpine valley.
Tapolca
Photo: Facebook Traveladdict
Source: facebook.com/tavasbarlang.latogatokozpont
Source: facebook.com/tavasbarlang.latogatokozpont
Source: facebook.com/tavasbarlang.latogatokozpont
Source: facebook.com/tavasbarlang.latogatokozpont
Source: facebook.com/tavasbarlang.latogatokozpont
Source: facebook.com/tavasbarlang.latogatokozpont
Tapolca has romantic old houses with a Mediterranean atmosphere and a huge mill wheel, writes magyarorszagom.hu. A special feature of the town is the lake cave. Here, you can even take a boat trip with your partner in the middle of a cave, guaranteed to be an exciting and romantic experience.
Because of the Mill Lake, Tapolca is a popular location for wedding photography.
All couples should visit the site of the famous novel by Géza Gárdonyi about the Eger Castle. Eger is known not only for its castle but also for its romantic courtyards and adventurous squares, writes csodasmagyarorszag.hu. The 40-metre-high Minaret and the city’s main square have a very special atmosphere.
In the Archbishop’s Garden, you will also find a brookside, a park, an artificial lake, and a fountain.
The perfect end to an Eger rendezvous is a tasting of ‘Eger bikavér’, the local wine.
From 28 April to 1 May, wine lovers and winemakers will once again fill Dobó Square in Eger to taste the new 2021 vintage of Egri Csillag. This is the time in spring when Eger’s winemakers present their latest bottlings in the most popular, classic category.
“The birth of Egri Csillag is a milestone in the life of the Eger wine region. This wine embodies the Eger wine-growing community’s ambition to develope an individual and distinctive white wine that is inseparably linked to the wine region. Launching the project took courage and its execution an unwavering will. Although it is just over ten years since the first Egri Csillag was released, for us it seems as if it has always existed. It is a rich, delightful white wine with a complex character,” this is how Dr György Lőrincz, President of the Egri Wine Route Association, the organiser of the event, summed up what the wine means to local winemakers.
The Egri Csillag category was created in 2010, and the first Egri Csillag Weekend was held shortly afterwards.
Press release
Since then, the event has become an essential part of the wine calendar in Eger, and this year, for the eleventh time, it opens the season of the great Eger wine festivals in spring. At Dobó Square, one of the most famous spots in the city centre, guests can enjoy the wide ranging offerings of wineries and also bites and dishes that match the wines.
Exhibitors: Bolyki Winery and Vineyards, Eszterházy Károly Catholic University, Gál Lajos Cellars, Gál Tibor Cellars, Gróf Buttler Winery, Juhász Brothers Cellars, Kovács Nimród Winery, Nap-völgy Winery, Ostoros Family Cellars, Petrény Winery, Rege Estate, St. Andrea Vineyards, Tarjányi Cellar, Thummerer Cellars and Vineyards, Torma Cellars, Tóth and Tóth Debrő Wines, Tóth Ferenc Cellars, Varsányi Cellars.
Catering and other exhibitors: 383 mineral water, Agria Cheese Manufacture, Bodega Bistro and Barbecue, ChiliYard, Macok Bistro.
Performers: Akusztik-Duó (Nyikes Linda and Kovács Sándor); AllSuckAll akusztik; Andante Kamarakórus; Andörkaver; Elemér Báder and Mátyás Svéd Duo; DJ Hütter; Elasztik Akusztik (Báder Elemér, Gyuris Luca, Klem Dénes); Hungarian Rhapsody – Queen Tribute; Jambalaya; Kicsi G; Simple Acoustic; Snidero Quartet; Szabó Family – Plays Beatles, guest artist: Zoli Czutor (Belmondo); The Feelgood Acoustic.
Hungary aims to conquer the world with a brand new dessert. Thus, four Hungarian organisations, the Hungarian Confectionery Association, the Organisation of International Protocol Professionals, the Hungarian Museum of Trade and Tourism and the Gróf Széchenyi Család Alapítvány (Count Széchenyi Family Foundation), announced a competition to select Hungary’s new top dessert. The winner will have the privilege to use the name Széchenyi thanks to the Count Széchenyi Family Foundation.
Brand new dessert using traditional Hungarian ingredients
According to Turizmus Online, a new Hungarian dessert will be born soon bearing the name of Count István Széchenyi, the “greatest Hungarian”. The aim is to create a top dessert or dessert family that can be offered on protocol occasions. The dessert should present Hungary’s traditional values and the creativity of the Hungarians, they said. Furthermore,
it should be “an ideal choice” for international guests.
The jury awaits dessert creations that are either made by using Hungarian ingredients or have a theme that is linked to Hungary. They recommend the use of traditional ingredients such as plum jam from Szatmár, cherry tomatoes from Újfehértó, apricots from Gönc or local herbs. Furthermore, they would like to taste famous Hungaricums in the desserts. In this category, they mentioned, for example, the Hungarian acacia honey, camomile flowers from the Great Plain and pálinka. In addition, the new dessert may consist of quality Hungarian wines such as Egri Bikavér and Tokaji aszú or paprika seeds from Kalocsa and Szeged.
There will be a two-round evaluation, and the jury will consist of confectioners, protocol professionals, diplomats and celebrities. The Count Széchenyi Family Foundation
presents the winning applicant and dessert in September at the 2022 Széchenyi Award Ceremony.
Everybody can submit their application, even small confectioneries or catering schools. Only private individuals are excluded.
All applicants can submit two desserts, but there is room for cooperation between professionals.
The desserts cannot contain aromas, margarine, harmful artificial additives or artificial food dyes.
At the end of March 2022, the first Hungarian Wine Summit will be held in Budapest. The aim of the event is to promote Hungarian wines and introduce the local wine regions to a wider international audience.
Hungarian wine takes the spotlight at the festival
The Agricultural Marketing Centre has created the Hungarian Wine Summit which will be organised for the first time in 2022, writes sokszinuvidek.24.hu.
The aim of the Hungarian Wine Summit is to introduce local wines and wine regions to the world.
The Hungarian Wine Summit is planned to be an entry-based event. In this way, the diversity and quality of Hungarian wines can reach as many people as possible. This event also helps to connect Hungarian winemakers with foreign customers. As a result, business relations will be established and domestic wine exports may increase.
Nearly 100 international wine experts, influencers, purchasers, specialist journalists and Master of Wine will attend the event.
Visitors are expected to come from all over Europe. From 20th March, guests can take part in tastings, wine dinners and wine region tours. The program welcomes the domestic and international audiences at the SIRHA Budapest International Food and HoReCa Trade Fair. This will be held at Hungexpo in Budapest between 22-24 March.
“At the trade fair, ninety Hungarian winemakers will have the opportunity to introduce themselves in the framework of masterclasses and walk-around tastings. In addition, the professional audience will be acquainted with Hungarian wines, including the famous Tokaj, as well as various local grape varieties and winemaking techniques presented by Hungarian wine exports”, the announcement says.
“Help the ones who deserve it”
The Agricultural Marketing Centre (AMC)’s motto is “help the ones who deserve it”. Based on this belief, the organisers carefully selected the wineries that will participate in the event.
What matters is not the size of the winery, but the quality of its offerings.
AMC gives a chance to everyone who can demonstrate significant work, stamina and genuine passion for the trade, writes hungarianwines.eu. AMC is responsible for raising awareness of local winemaking as well as promoting Hungarian wine export. There is already a large number of guests who have pre-registered for the event, coming from all over Europe, from Lithuania to the United Kingdom.
The event will showcase the most important local grape varieties, wine types and wine regions.
Hungary is famous for lots of things one would never imagine. Inventors, food, internationally well-known people, wine, you name it. Here, we have gathered seven things you probably did not know about our country.
1. Women’s chess
Judit Polgár. Source: wikipedia.org
That is right, we are the best when it comes to women’s chess. In 1991, at the age of 15, Judit Polgár won a record-breaking Grandmaster title in the history of chess. She is known as the best female chess player of all time and the only woman who broke the 2,700 Live-Point Supermaster barrier. She scored her highest 2735 points in July 2005.
2. Hollywood
pixabay.com
Hollywood would not be Hollywood without the contribution of Hungarians, as magyarorszagom.hu puts it. Paramount Pictures founder Adolf Zukor, Vilmos Fried – better known as William Fox – and Casablanca director Michael Curtiz (formerly known as Kaminer Manó) all have Hungarian ancestry.
With the coronation of Ruler (Prince) Árpád, he became the first Hungarian king, thus marking the foundation of the Hungarian state in 896. The construction of our first underground railway began in 1896. It is a legal requirement that buildings in Budapest should not be higher than 96 metres. On top of that, the Hungarian national anthem can be recited in exactly 96 seconds, if we keep to the right tempo.
4. Wine
pixabay.com
The world’s first officially registered wine region is the Tokaj Wine Region in Hungary, where wine has been produced since the 5th century. Since 1737, it has been the world’s first closed wine region and was inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List in 2002.
5. Harry Houdini
A ticket to a Houdini show. Source: pixabay.com
The world-famous Harry Houdini who is known as a master escapologist for getting out of any set of handcuffs and escaping a Chinese water cell, was born Erich Weisz in Budapest in 1874.
As we can read in szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu’s article, to date, 13 Hungarians have been awarded the Nobel Prize. In terms of the number of Nobel Prize winners per capita, Hungary is ahead of such countries as Spain, Canada and Australia. Moreover, we are represented in all categories except peace.
7. Kocs – Kocsi – Coach
wikipedia.org
The word kocsi (meaning car) comes from the name of a Hungarian village called Kocs, which then became the English word “coach” through the French word “coche”. Horse-drawn carriages were first manufactured here in the 16th century and then spread across the continent.
