Saturdays March 26 and April 30, 2011
Join us to explore the wines and food in Tokaj and its surrounding villages. One of the world’s premier sweet wine regions, Tokaj is famous for its aszú dessert wines, but over the past decade it has also been producing fantastic crisp, dry white wines. We will be introduced to different types of wineries in Tokaj: one of the region’s largest and most modern (which also has an important collection of museum wines), and two smaller family-run experimental wineries. We will have lunch in one of the country’s most charming restaurants, located inside of an old house. There will be time to explore Tokaj and walk around the vineyards. Come with us to see what it is that makes Tokaj so special. As usual, there will be plenty of conversation, food, and great wine throughout the day!
{8am} Depart from Budapest. We will meet at Batthyány tér and depart promptly.
{11am} Visit the Karádi and Berger family wine cellar in Erdőbénye, one of the most beautiful villages in the region, which is hidden behind the the Zemplén hills. The winery is located in a house once owned by an Armenian wine merchant. Winemaker Zsolt Berger is a former economist-turned winemaker. With him we will taste six wines including single vineyard dry furmints, late harvest wines, dry szamarodni, and aszú.
{1pm} Visit the Erzsébet cellar in Tokaj for a tour, tasting, and lunch. The winery is run by two young siblings, Hajni and Miklós Prácser, who make wine which is both traditional and experimental. We will taste six wines in their cellar, beginning with a dry ones and finishing with aszú. The cellar was once owned by a Russian wine merchant supplying the czar with Tokaj wine. Lunch will be prepared by the mother of the winemakers: wild boar stew with dumplings, salad, and a seasonal fruit dessert. Afterwards we will have pruned berries and fruit with hand-made bon bon filled with Tokaji aszú.
—Explore the center of Tokaj.
{5pm} Tour and tasting of four wines at the Patricius Winery, which is one of the region’s largest and most modern. A selection of local artisanal cheeses will be served with the wine. Here we can take a walk around the vineyards.
{10pm} Arrive back in Budapest, drop-off at Batthyány tér
Price: 30,000 HUF per person, all-inclusive of transportation and the above wine tastings and food. Call or email to reserve your place (a 25 percent deposit will be required).