This is a more traditional town festival with popular pop and rock bands catering to the masses, though in recent years the quality producers have increasingly organised their own extra events, such as intimate tastings, exhibitions, jazz concerts and more.

Programs

A blind tasting of the lots in the Castle is followed by a picnic lunch provide by outstanding local restaurant Anyukám mondta (lit. ‘My Mother Said’). And if the weather is fine the venue will be the castle bastion overlooking the lovely river Bodrog. If not? Then the Castle’s Renaissance kitchen! The afternoon is devoted to the auction which draws guests from around the world, from the USA to China, private collectors, merchants and (Michelin-star) restaurants keen to procure a unique fine wine that is not commercially available in any other form.

In the clip Kimberley Parnell visits the First Winehouse in Mád (Első Mádi Borház), the Saint Thomas Cellar, the Szepsy Cellar, the Patrícius Winehouse, the Gusteau Culinary Open Workshop, the Restaurant as my Mother Told Us (Anyukám Mondta Étterem) and the Andrássy Residency.

The clip stands on three legs: introduction of winemakers dedicated to prepare the most reliable and highest quality winemaking in the region (including the presentation of best wines and wine specialties), local gastronomy: allocating various Tokaj wines to traditional and less-traditional Hungarian dishes and presentation of chronicles of relevant historical and cultural episodes. Recreational programs are also included in the clip.

Distribution of the clip is planned on domestic and North-American on-line interfaces (webpages) and via American and Canadian gastronomic channels. The New York representative of the Hungarian Tourism Zrt. Will also participate with the help of their own channels.

Following in the footsteps of the successful first two Great Tokaj Wine Auctions, the Confrérie de Tokaj is planning the third auction for 25th April 2015 – to be held in Sárospatak Castle Knights’ Hall as has become the tradition. All lots are exclusive and contemporary wines, barrel quantity (136 l) of primeur Tokaji wines which are bottled and delivered to the winning bidder with their Great Tokaj Wine Auction label. Naturally the labels also bear the name of the producer.

Mainly single vineyard lots, they range from dry through late harvests to Tokaji Aszú and Eszencia. Each of these unique barrel lots from leading producers are checked by the Confrérie Wine Committee. These wines are only available at the Great Tokaj Wine Auction so successful bidders become the exclusive owner. Hence the interest from Michelin-starred restaurants and collectors eager to acquire them as well as wine merchants from around the world, including China and London.

The Great Tokaj Wine Auction is the central event of the Tokaj Spring weekend. The interesting three-day programme offers an outstanding opportunity to discover this historic wine region and meet top producers. In addition to the exhilarating auction, there are wine dinners and vineyard tours with winemakers, a blind tasting of Auction lots, initiation of new members and a gala dinner. Thus the event helps Tokaj lovers and Confrérie members explore this dynamically emerging world that is moving forth with confidence of its excellent wines and increasing knowledge of the terroir. A great opportunity to share time and wine.

Both established wineries and smaller up-and-coming producers have offered lots at previous Great Tokaj Wine Auctions. Participants to date include Bardon, Barta, Béres, Budaházy, Demetervin, Dereszla, Disznókő, Füleky, Gizella, Gróf Degenfeld, Holdvölgy, Kikelet, Kubus, Orosz Gábor, Pajzos, Patricius, Royal Tokaji, Samuel Tinon, Szent Benedek, Szent Tamás, Szepsy, Tokaj Hétszőlő, Tokaj Nobilis and Tokaj Trading House.

The Confrérie de Tokaj reserves 40 % of the price excluding VAT price to stage the auctions and preserve and rebuild the Tokaj Wine Region. Thus buyers have the satisfaction of knowing that, in addition to procuring an exclusive Tokaji wine, they are also supporting this UNESCO World Cultural Heritage region. The inclusion expresses the long and intimate relationship between people and their natural environment which cause cultural values.

Nóra Winkler, the auctioneer who animated the auction, catching and running with its momentum, said of the 2014 Great Tokaj Wine Auction: “The proportion of lots sold, the hammer prices and the packed auction room all show we are right on track. The passionate bidding for the Szepsy lot that resulted in a 26 667 € record demonstrates what an auction, a well-constructed catalogue, the atmosphere and adrenaline can create.”

So preparation is underway for this celebration of Tokaj – Tokaj Spring, 24th to 26th April 2015.

About the Confrérie de Tokaj The Confrérie de Tokaj members include producers, wine professionals and wine lovers committed to promoting the legendary Tokaj Wine Region, the first closed wine region in the world and part of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage since 2002. Learn more at tokajiborlovagrend.hu

View the video from the Great Tokaj Wine Auction 2014.
See pictures from the Great Tokaj Wine Auction 2014.

Only exclusive wines may be offered at the Auction, wines that are not currently on the market and that satisfy the criteria. The quality of the wines is checked several times by the Confrérie de Tokaj Wine Tasting Committee. Buyers may bid from the range of Tokaji wines from dry right up to 6 puttonyos Aszú. Guests will also have the chance to experience these unique wines that can only be tasted during the three-day Tokaj Spring staged around the Great Tokaj Wine Auction (24-26th April). The event brings lovers of Tokaj together with the Tokaj Wine Region and members of the Confrérie, providing the opportunity to make new discoveries and become better acquainted with both the great terroir-based wines and the region and its passionate producers.

The event begins with a trip on the Tokaj Orient Express, the heritage train specially commissioned for guests to travel in style from Budapest. Excellent wines and food as well as good company and an interesting talk about the history of the vineyards. Those who would like to experience more of the vineyards than the view from the train can offer have the opportunity to choose one of three short guided tours led by winemakers who share their knowledge, answering any questions. These conversations will doubtless continue in the evening when the winemakers each host their own table at the dinner and wine tastings.
On Saturday, Auction day, those registered can taste all the auction lots in Sárospatak Castle before a picnic lunch created by Anyukám mondta gives sustenance for the excitement of the Auction in the afternoon.
The gala dinner dance is a suitable end to the dramatic day. Held in Gusteau, Mád, it will be preceded by the initiation ceremony of new Confrérie members and a performance by opera singer Katalin Gémes. Live music provided by stylish band Black Velvet for the dancing.
Guests may visit participating producers on the Sunday, the last day of the event.

Participating wineries: Barta Winery, Bodnár Winery, Béres Vineyards and Winery, Demetervin, Disznókő, Füleky Winery, László Kvaszinger, Mádi Borház, Pajzos Winery, Samuel Tinon Grands Vins de Tokaj, Szent Benedek Winery, Szent Tamás Winery, Szepsy Winery, Tokaj-Hétszőlő, Tokaj Crown Estate, Zsirai Winery.

The Confrérie would like to use a proportion of the Auction income to add to the Tokaj Wine Region. Those who buy at the Auction know that not only do they become the exclusive owner of a high quality wine, but with their purchase they are supporting the UNESCO World Heritage site. The intricate link between people and their natural environment appears as a tangible cultural asset.

To find out more details about the Tokaj Spring event and the Confrérie de Tokaj, whose members include the very best Tokaj producers, passionate wine lovers and merchants, and the legendary Tokaj Wine Region UNESCO World Heritage since 2002, visit our website www.tokajiborlovagrend.hu.

In the following we present a selection of recommendations listed on boraszportal.hu. Please mark the dates on your calendar right now.

24 January – Winter Picnic at Etyek

This year winemakers from Újhegy and Szépvölgy in Etyek will welcome winemakers and visitors at Gasztrosétány. Similar to past picnics, not only wine but quality craftsmen and gastronomic exhibition will also be offered to visitors.

February – Eger-Szekszárd Bikavér (Bulls’ Blood) Duel

Wine tasting in Budapest, where the best winemakers from Eger and Szekszárd present their Bull Bloods.

5 February – Furmint February

In 2015 more than 100 premium furmint varieties ill be offered for tasting. Almost 50 cellars will provide samples at a single location in Budapest.

7-8 February – Olaszrizling (white wine) – as we make it

Producers and fans of olaszrizling from Somló to Villány and from Egerszólát to Szent György-hill will have the opportunity to taste and to ponder about the future and chances of this wine variety, which is the most widespread white wine in Hungary.

14 February – Borjour Magnum

Borjour Magnum is the largest wine tasting event of the year, available only for invited parties. 600 wines from more than 200 winemakers will be available for tasting during this one-day event to be held in three buildings of Millenáris. This year look for surprises offered on Valentine Day!

21 February – Hungarian Wine Ball

The 10th Hungarian Wine Ball will be held on 21 February 2015, to be hosted by InterContinental Budapest. This event is aimed to present high-quality Hungarian wines to exclusive guests in an appropriate environment.

28 March – Grand Tasting in Tokaj

This will be a new event organized by the Winelovers team to direct attention to the Tokaj wine region. The region will be portrayed not only to dedicated wine-lovers but also to the general public.

25th April – Great Tokaj Wine Auction

Third Great Tokaj Wine Auction of exclusive barrel lots of contemporary Tokaji wines from top producers including Szepsy, Szent Tamás, Samuel Tinon, Hétszőlő and Disznókő. Held in Sárospatak Castle as part of three-day Tokaj Spring event. Looking for prestigious gifts? Company presents? Memory of time well-spent in Hungary? It doesn’t come more exclusive than your own wine!

24-26th April – Tokaj Spring

Unique weekend of events that brings wine lovers to the top winemakers – join guests on Tokaj Orient Express to travel in style to Tokaj, choose a vineyard tour, wine tastings and dinners, blind tasting of auction lots, the Great Tokaj Wine Auction, open cellars – all with your favourite winemakers. Rare opportunity not to be missed! Transport arranged in the region, and all in English too!

25 April – Kékfrankos NOW! Gigantic Kékfrankos Tasting

The Gigantic KékfrankosTasting (Nagy Kékfrankos kóstoló) will be organized second time this year, in April, as part of the Month of Kékfrankos.

May – Szekszárd – “key to your heart”

Wine tasting in Budapest, where wines from app. 200 exhibitors from Szekszárd will be available for tasting.

8-10 May – Rosalia 2015

Festivities to greet the incoming summer with fresh roses, sparkling wines and champagnes in the Garden of Gesztenyés.

21-24 May – Gourmet Festival

In accordance with the tradition, this Festival will be held in Millenáris Park, with the participation of tasting from excellent local restaurants, best winemakers and wine merchants.

5 June – Tokaj Wine Festival 2015

A traditional town festival with popular pop and rock bands. In recent years the quality producers have increasingly organised their own extra events, such as intimate tastings, exhibitions, jazz concerts and more.

20 June – Giant Pezsgő Saloon (Nagy Pezsgő Kóstoló)

Another event organized by the Winelovers team, the first in 2015, is a tasting with the best domestic and foreign champagnes, which will include master courses and other delicacies.

20 June – Somló Midsummer-Night Cellar Tour 2015

On Saturday 20th June 41 Somló Hill cellars will open up all night to invite guests to participate in cultural and wine-related events.

27 June – VinAgora Wine Gala

Public tasting of wines from the VinAgora Wine Competition in Budapest, in the Boscolo New York Palace.

9-12 June – Eger Bulls’ Blood Festival (Egri Bikavér Ünnep)

This wine festival is proud of its 10 years history; it is one of the most significant touristic and gastronomic event of wine loves in Eger, to be held in the romantic garden of Érsekkert, under huge oak trees. The white companion of the red Bull’s Blood of Eger, the Star of Eger (Egri Csillag) will be introduced, including roses from the region.

August – Wine, Ecstasy Bénye Festival

Festival in the gardens of Erdőbénye, with wines from Tokaj and delicacies from the Zempén region.

9-13 September – Wine Festival in the Buda Castle (Budavári Borfesztivál) 2015

the Wine Festival in the Buda Castle – to be held on the terraces of the Buda Castle – will present not only products from Hungarian winemakers, but several foreign wines supplied by major wine distributors.

4-6 October – Villány Red Wine Festival

Visitors will have the opportunity to taste the best wines of the region. This is the most significant event in the Villány region, which will be enhanced by musical production and traditional performances.

10 October – Olaszrizling October – Giant Olaszrizling Tasting

This year the Giant Olaszrizling Tasting will be held third time, where Hungarian and foreign olaszrizling will be available, as well as exciting master courses presented in elevated atmosphere.

2 November – “Bordó Blend” Giant Nagy Bordeaux Tasting

The “Bordó Blend” program will focus on Bordeaux varieties and wines made using this variety – with significant emphasis on cabernet franc.

Photo:Szent Tamás Winery Facebook

Mr. David Silvestre, the managing director of Top Choices Awards, when he described the award granted to the best Canadian products and services, he added: “This award is granted to such enterprises or persons who passionately believe in their work”.

The award was presented at a ceremony and wine-tasting reception at the Ambassador’s Residence on November 25, 2014. The winemaker in charge from the cellar which won the award, István Szepsy jnr.,proclaimed: “We attempted to develop – with the help of our partners engaged in promoting Hungarian wines in North America – such a wine which reflects the best possible presentation of specific varieties of this wine region simultaneously with satisfying the taste of Canadian wine drinkers.”

Photo:http://epiteszforum.hu/

Selection of this location originated from the idea of utilizing the abandoned, multi-level rock quarry. This complex comprises three parts: The large, 1305 m2 open-air theater provides the bulk of the complex; the position and geometry of the auditorium is determined by the view of the most spectacular section of the quarry wall. The Greek theater – built from local quarry waste – can accommodate 500 viewers. If necessary, this theater can be covered. Service areas follow the curved shape of the quarry, where changing rooms, coffee shops, offices, VIP rooms, storages etc. are provided.

Architecture of the buildings is simple and practical, using rustic, local materials. Preservation of the remaining, spectacular quarry wall played significant role in the design. The orientation of facilities sustains the magnificent view of the quarry wall, which can be enhanced with programmable lights.

In essence, the building complex serving the above functions is a multi-function “playground” installed on the bottom of a huge quarry.

For further information and photo gallery please visit the homepage of “Festivalkatlan”.

Must and Quince Autumn Vineyard run.

Program

This year’s slogan: wines from Tokaj, flavors from Zemplén, accompanied with jazz, world music and folk music.

Photo: http://bormamorbenye.hu

This three-day event is not only about wine, it is also a cultural and gastronomic festival, which is presented in the gardens of winemakers in Erdőbénye.

Visitors may walk along the village, holding their glasses and popping in and out of the gardens of local winemakers, each of them presenting a different atmosphere. They will find not only fine wines, but also exciting musical and cultural programs, including fine foods matching to the wines.

This festival started in 2009 and now sixteen local winemakers offer wine samples to their guests. Restaurants will offer several modern fish dishes made of local ingredients, which are extremely suitable for the wines from Tokaj. Visitors may taste the famous Erdőbénye flat bread with various toppings (kenyérlángos), which has been prepared in this region over many centuries. Several dishes with traditional Hungarian flavors will be presented as “street foods”.

There will be walks organized by a historian and an architect, when visitors may see Erdőbénye through different glasses. Memorials of the Jewish past of the village can also be visited.

The head of a cooper group will held a workshop, where guests may learn about the impact of barrels on specific wines. Not only literature programs, but also children programs will be held on almost every location.

At the opening ceremony of the event, guided by local winemakers, visitors will have an opportunity to taste the best nine wines of Erdőbénye. This wine-tasting will be accompanied by local finger food. Limited number of tickets is available – only on advance order.

Bor, mámor …Bénye 2014 nagyobb térképen való megjelenítése