Saturday December 4
Join us to experience the exciting wines and local foods of the northeastern wine region of Eger. We will sip our way through three wineries and meet Hungary’s 2009 “winemaker of the year.” We’ll taste pinot noirs, kadarkas, and kékfrankos’, and learn all about the region’s signature wine, “Bull’s Blood”, tasting how much it has improved in recent years. Though Eger is better known for its reds, there will also be whites (including native varietals like leányka and kiralyleányka). You’ll have a chance to explore the center of Eger on your own, or to tour the extensive system of wine cellars underneath the town with a group.
{8am} Depart from Budapest. We will meet at Batthyány tér and will depart promptly.
{10am} Arrive in Egerszalók for a cellar tour and tasting of eight to ten wines with the winemaker at St. Andrea Winery. One of the country’s leading wineries, winemaker Dr. György Lőrincz was named Hungary’s winemaker of the year in 2009.
{12:15pm} Tour the cellar and winemaking facilities at the Thummerer winery.
{1pm} Lunch with six wine pairings (and királyleányka marc pálinka) at the Magtár Inn, owned by the Thummerer family, which has a culinary style that blends traditional and modern. Éva Thummer will join us for lunch to present the wines and the food.
Whey Cheese Cream
Guinea Fowl Pâté
and Salad with Balsamic Vinegar
Catfish Filet with Creamed Vegetables
Saddle of Venison with Chestnuts
Home-made Plum Jam Dumplings
{3:30pm} Split up and walk around the center of Eger. Some of the sights you can visit on your own include the cathedral, the castle, the 17th century minaret, Dobó tér and the Baroque Minorite Church. OPTIONAL: We will be setting up a guided tour at the “város a város alatt” (“town under the town”) for whoever would like to attend (admission is an additional 950 HUF). This three-kilometer-long underground wine cellar system was carved out of tuff in the 17th century to store the palace’s wine. It fell out of use in 1947, and is currently in the process of being restored.
{5:30pm} Tour and tasting of six wines at the Nimród Kovács winery, located on one of Eger’s several old neighborhoods of cellars. The wine will be accompanied by a local cheese selection from the Bükki Kézműves Sajt Manufaktúra.
{7pm} Depart to Budapest.
{8:30pm} Return to Budapest, drop-off at Batthyány tér.
The price for this day trip is 30,000 HUF per person, all-inclusive of transportation and the above wine tastings and meals. Space will be limited. Call or email (+36-30-298-0076) with any questions or to reserve your place. A 25 percent deposit will be required to hold your place.
Photo courtesy of flickr user Korom