Saturday August 13, 2011
The Tokaj region comprises many small villages, which are peppered with wineries. On this trip to Tokaj, we will explore just one of them in depth. Erdőbénye, one of the region’s most beautiful villages, has long been a center of traditional barrel making. Hungarian oak barrels are used in many countries, and much of that oak comes from the Zemplen hills behind the village. On this day the village will hold its “Wine, Shine…Bénye” festival which will include plenty of live music; chefs from local restaurants will be preparing the regional foods of the Zemplén hills; craftsmen will be doing demonstrations; and of course, the Tokaj wine will be flowing. One of the world’s premier sweet wine regions, Tokaj is famous for its aszú dessert wines, but it also produces fantastic crisp, dry white wines. We’ll taste plenty of each.
{8am} Depart from Budapest. We will meet at Batthyány tér and depart promptly.
{11am} Arrive in Erdőbénye at the state-of-the-art Béres Winery located on the Zemplén hillside. We will have a tour and tasting of six wines with lunch provided by the Oroszlános Wine restaurant.
Porcini cream soup
Lamb ragout with vegetables served with dödölle (potato dumplings)
or
Polenta with tomato jam and gomolya foam (vegetarian option)
—Walk around the vineyards and explore the village and the festivities.
{2:30pm} Visit a traditional cooper at his workshop to learn about the art of barrel making.
{3:30pm} Tasting of six wines at Attila Homonna’s boutique winery. Homonna started his winery with less than one hectare of vineyards and produces under 5,000 bottles per year, including some outstanding furmint.
{5pm} Visit the Gonda family on their farm and sample a selection of their homemade cheese.
{6pm} Tour, tasting, and dinner at the Karádi and Berger Winery. The winery is located in a house once owned by an Armenian wine merchant. Winemaker Zsolt Berger is an economist-turned winemaker. With him we will taste six wines and feast on a dinner prepared by Pascal, the French chef/owner of Őskaján Restaurant. Menu TBA.
{7:30pm} Depart for Budapest
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). Itinerary is subject to change.