Saturday April 9, 2011
Join us to explore the wines and food in Szekszárd, a southern wine region producing mostly red wines, which are spicy, fruity, and full-bodied. Though Szekszárd often gets lost in the shadow of Villány, it is one of the most exciting regions, producing some of Hungary’s biggest and best reds. The indigenous grape kadarka is important here, as is kékfrankos. Come with us to meet three of the region’s most interesting winemakers and taste their wines. 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.
{10am} Arrive in Szekszárd at the Sebestyén winery, located in the beautiful Iván Valley. Winemaker Csaba Sebestyén is one of the region’s most dynamic young winemakers. We will tour the cellar with him and then taste eight wines, including kadarka, kékfrankos, international varietals, and bull’s blood.
{Noon} We will head up the hill to visit János Németh’s arisanal cellar, which was built 1825 and has been in the family for generations. We will taste six wines and Németh will prepare lunch for us in the brick oven in his beautifully renovated cellar. Lunch will be family-style and will include roasted goose leg and homemade rétes. After lunch we can walk around the vineyards in Iván valley.
{2:30pm} Drive to Szálka, a nearby village, to look at the chapel overlooking the hillside above Szekszárd. We will then return to the center of Szekszárd for a short look around.
{5pm} Visit the Vida family wine estate for a tour and tasting of six wines with winemaker Péter Vida, who has been a finalist for the “winemaker of the year” award in Hungary several times. Wine expert Jancis Robinson commented on the beautiful, natural style of his wines on her visit to Hungary. We will have a cold plate of local products to accompany the wine.
{7pm} Depart for Budapest.
{9pm} 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).