Archive for the ‘Lake Balaton – Hungary’ Category

16 Nov

Also Balaton in the Fall … Walking Wine Tasting & Master Class Event 2022

Posted by www.rollinginbudapest.com in 5 Ház Borbirtok Somló - Androsics Estate - Barcza Winery - Bezerics Vineyard - Dobosi Estate - Éva Dóka Winery - Dörgicsélő - Feind és Feind Winery Ltd. - Garamvári Vineyard - Istvándy Winer, Fall to Lake Balaton's walking wine tasting in Balatonalmádi., Három Majom Bistro (Three Monkies Bistro) - Balatonalmádi - Hungary, Herald News for Hungarians who speaks English!, Hungary., Istvándy Winery-Badacsony ... "Bizsergés" - The "Tingling" wine, Lake Balaton - Hungary, Tagyon 730 wine factory, Tamás Tornai - owner of the Tornai Winery - Somló, Tornai Winery - Tornai Top Selection Grófi Hárslevelű 2019", Tourism, Veszprém-Balaton 2023 European Capital of Culture program. Tagged: , .

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Upon invitation headed during the Fall to Lake Balaton’s walking wine tasting in Balatonalmádi. The event was opened by Zsófia Bozzai, the editor-in-chief of Bor és Piac (Wine and Market), where she greeted the pretty high number of the wine-loving audience and invited them to go for tasting all the six wine regions on the spot. Arrived 25 Balaton wineries – producers from Badacsonyi, Nagy-Somlói, Zala, Balatonboglári, Balaton-felvidéki and Balatonfüred-Csopak Wine Regions. She drew attention to the wine makers to fill free ask questions and listen to professional presentations. Then after Tamás Tornai – the owner of the Tornai Winery, greeted the gathering and wish the wine tasters to enjoy every drop of the wineries wine and keep in mind the one that suited the favorit taste and in the future prehaps will plan to visit one or more wineries.
After the opening, with the performance of violinist Julia Rabovay the wine tasting event started with four Telemann pieces and Monti’s Csárdás. The target audience included not only lovers of the local Balaton wines, but also a large number of visitors from Budapest, as well as guests from Slovakia and even Croatia arrived and good number of professionals came to the event.
It is no secret that the aim of the event was to extend the tourist season, so the title of the event already reflects this: “Also Balaton in the Fall”.

At the walking wine tasting, the guests could not only learn about winery, but hear  from the producers comments about the effects of climate change which effected the choice of varieties and in use of yeast … how the initial sugar content of the must is adjusted so that the alcohol level is lower. Rethinking the use of high sugar-accumulating varieties, e.g. Gray friendly, also about the new trends, and we could taste, for example, natural wines and orange wines.

Exhibited wines to taste by wineries as follows: 5 Ház Borbirtok Somló – Androsics Estate – Barcza Winery – Bezerics Vineyard – Dobosi Estate – Éva Dóka Winery – Dörgicsélő – Feind és Feind Winery Ltd. – Garamvári Vineyard – Istvándy Winery-Badacsony – Balázs Káli – Károly Kolonics – Laposa Badacsony – Lázár Cellar – Mórocz Winery – Nagy & Nagy Winery – Nivegy-Völgyi Borgazdaság Ltd. – Yári Pince – Petrányi Cellar – Rádpuszta Vineyard – Tagyon 730 Bormanufaktúra Vineyard – Taverna Winery – Tornai Winery – Villa Gyetvai Winery.

A short description the region’s new winemaker Tagyon 730 wine factory, which is located above Zánka at the foot of Tagyony, Szentantalfai hill. This winemaker is a new comer with his wines from the northern region of Lake Balaton. His winnery exists on 3000 m2 since 2016. His plantation has Cab. Franc (simply loved it amazing taste), Cab.Savignon and Merlot. Brought bottles of 5 types, each named by his 5 children. After harvest, closed tank fermentation is done with circular circulation. The locals told him that this event would take place, they had not yet prepared the labels for the wines, so they were numbered with the children’s names on the tasting table without labels. Produce Olaszrizling, Kéknyelű, Furmint, Szürkebarát which were waiting to be tasted.

Another one wish to mention … Most probably needn’t have to introduce the already famous winemaker of the Istvándy Winery-Badacsony. At the wine tasting table had a glance on a bottle of wine not seen label earlier, called “Bizsergés” –  “Tingling”. It was produced from ottonel muscat/yellow muscat 2020 – AL12%. Indeed a bit surprised me of the bustling bubbles and smoky flavor and right away could imagine it goes well after a hard meal.
Last but not least … go for a wine therapy … worth to visit the Tornai Winery. At the event the “A Tornai Top Selection Grófi Hárslevelű 2019” hit the top for the wine lovers.

The theme at the master classes were wine tourism, sustainability, resistant grape varieties, and organic farming.

It was fantastic to experience at the Három Majom Bistro (Three Monkies Bistro) in tasting the delicacies of Lebanese cuisine in Balatonalmádi. The place was just at the doorstep “Balaton in the Fall” event.

The implementation of the project is supported by the Veszprém-Balaton 2023 European Capital of Culture program.

Riport and snaps by: Aggie Reiter

2 Nov

“A Glass of Wine” With Winemaker Endre Szászi @ Endre Szászi Jr.

Posted by www.rollinginbudapest.com in Budapest - Hungary, Foreigners with Hungarian language knowledge, Hungary., Lake Balaton - Hungary, Tourism. Tagged: , , , .


Conservation beside “A Glass of Wine” with Endre Szászi and his son at the Scruton Pub – Budapest by Anna Demeter – Magazine Hungarian chronicle. Elder Szászi said they moved to the Szent György Mountain, cause the dream was to live in an environment the same way as the old winemakers are near to their wine yards, rise together with the grapes and go to bed with a glass of wine. At first he ran a wine shop at Szigliget and did not give up his wish and slowly came true, began with planting on 1.8 hectares around their house. His plan was to build an organic farm.
Kabócás(cicada )Italian Reisling grown on the Saint Antal  mountain aside near Szigliget. Szászi Jr. join him after felling in love with the nature soundings, there is something in the air which gives the Mediterranean feeling as when the semolina plays the leading role on the scene and he brought up a memorial as when the Titanic sank the musicians were the last to have leaf the ship, the semolina retiring for the winter. Their first success was followed a year later by the second one. Because of cicada was not harvested for 8 years long. The autumn rain and mist settle in and gave difficulty. The forest have had been cut out and vines have replaced the old ones. The breeze helped the plantation not to dry out but that was not all to be cheerful about cause then the wild boar appeared and caused a huge damage at the vines. Thereafter crops were harvested in 2015 and 2018.
Endre Szászi said, he believes in the wine is an imprint of the vintage and the secret to their wines lay where the soil is basalt. Added it is difficult to stay on the market without having your own plantations. So after his wine shop, bought grapes, made wine, came catering, and accommodation was already organically connected to this. Thereafter, small press houses were bought and the venue transformed into quarters bearing the hallmarks of village tourism.

The father said he won’t bother if his son will not follow process to growing grapes and be a winemaker, but if he stays as trade and marketing that will be just fine. At the vineyard the family members are the co-workers there is a good and bad to it. Closed the conversation with: “children have to keep in mind they do not inherit the “Golden Egg” but the hen needs to be taken care of.

Riport Aggie Reiter

17 Apr

The 176th Season-Opening @ Lake Balaton – Hungarian Sea!

Posted by www.rollinginbudapest.com in Entertainments, For Travelers, Foreigners with Hungarian language knowledge, Herald News for Hungarians who speaks English!, Hungary, Lake Balaton - Hungary, Tourism. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , .

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Keeping the tradition, opening of the Lake Balaton Season was held in Trnava again this year.

On April, 16, 2022, Balatoni Hajózási Zrt.held the press conference of the 176 season-opening @
the port of Siófok on the flagship of St. Nicholas. Present was László Dónucz – Sales and Strategy Director and Gábor Veigl, CEO of BAHART, evaluated last year’s record year and talked about this year’s plans. Said the following: Q: “From the middle of May, BAHART will present a renewed offer in the eastern basin. Instead of the usual Siófok – Balatonfüred – Tihany route, the direct ships will be launched between Siófok – Balatonfüred and Siófok –  Tihany. The passengers will be able to get to their destination more conveniently and quicker. In the high season there will be 9 cruises/day, on Fridays and weekends there will be 10 cruises/day between Siófok and the northern coastal destinations. There will be direct ships between Balatonfüred – Balatonföldvár, and the ships will also stop @ Tihanyrév. Within the planned programs, instead of 2 party ships, 3 party ships/week in August. The Magic Boat for children additional departure times will be added.”

Also was told at the press conference about the fleet development which will play a key role in the first phase with the construction of 2 new ferries and 2 new catamarans.  The ships are expected to arrive @
Lake Balaton during this year. After the successful operational tests of the first ferry, its dismantling for transport will begin, while the first catamaran will be launched soon after painting and mechanical installation work. When the water level of Lake Balaton will allow it, the ships will be transported in mid-May. Renovation of the existing fleet is also continuing. In addition to the environmental and fuel consumption engine upgrades, there will be major renovations on the Szigliget ship, Badacsony catamaran, Szántód ship and Tünde nostalgia ship, which is being built for its 95th birthday.
Closing the press conference was told that the development of BAHART’s services will continue, and the wines of the Balaton wineries and local craft beers will be available in the ships buffet counter.

Thereafter, we sailed to over to the northern port of Balatonfüred, where was welcomed the ship of St. Nicholas. Upon arrival to the port of Balatonfüred the local greeted the audience with a festive show. At Noontime St. Nicholas’ boat made a free tour from Balatonfürend.

Riport & snaps by Aggie Reiter

8 Apr

New York Palace – Winemakers of Badacsony are waiting for the wine lovers again @ Budapest

Posted by www.rollinginbudapest.com in Budapest - Hungary, Entertainments, Foreigners with Hungarian language knowledge, Gastronomy - Hungary, Herald News for Hungarians who speaks English!, Lake Balaton - Hungary, Tourism, Wine and Gastronomy, Wine around Hungary. Tagged: , .

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New York Palace – in the hall of Rome

Badacsony winemakers are pulling up their sleeves, welcoming in preparing for the tasting with renewed vigor, huge anticipation, a keen zest for life and real masterpieces.
Guests can enjoy a rich selection of Badacsony’s outstanding wines in the Rome Hall of the New York Palace. The exhibiting wineries fill the glasses in person, while telling us about their work and the common passion we all have for wine. This year’s slogan of the event is also intended to convey this mood: “We call to life”. These two words conceal renewal, spring, and all that the easing of restrictions in people addresses. After all, life is like a bottle of intoxicating wine.
Badacsony in New York has been characterized by real cooperation from the very beginning and a special, friendly atmosphere, which is due to the fact that the introductory wineries and exhibitors organize themselves, with the help of the Badacsony Guild Tourist Association.
Almost 50 exhibitors are waiting for the lovers of the Badacsony Wine Region at the tasting. This time, visitors can taste more than 160 types of mineral-rich wines from 34 wineries. The “protagonists” of the event are specialties that are born exclusively in this wine region, due to the unique minerality of the soil, the specific effects of basalt, sandstone and climate. Such is the case with the most loyal inhabitant of the Badacsony basalt hill, Kéknyelű.
Another interesting feature of the program is that in addition to the wineries, accommodations, restaurants and event venues will also be introduced, and of course the master classes will not be missed either.

Tickets for the event a on the spot for a limited number of 9900HUF
After 4 p.m., the hall will also open to the general public, and all wine lovers will find an exclusive tasting.
You can also take part in a master class to taste the following wines, the matching snacks are also made by András Wolf: Málik Cellar – Zeus 2015, Villa Tolnay Wine House – Green Veltelini 2015, Borbély Family Winery – Bács-hegy Olaszrizling 2015, Németh Cellar – Olaszrizling late harvest 2015, Vörös Szőlőbirtok Szürkebarát 1996, First Hungarian Wine House – Szeremley Estate Kéknyelű 2006, VáliBor 2016.

Master Courses time and wines to be tasted:
2.30 p.m. – 4 p.m. Dr. András Csizmadia – WINE BEDS – We are ideal for volcanic wines with bites.
4 p.m. – 7.30 p.m. Dr. Gabriella Mészáros – THE MAGIC OF COMPLETENESS – Matured wines from Badacsony.

Admission entitles you to unlimited wine tasting on site.
Combined ticket I. (entrance ticket + 1st ticket for the master course) – 10800HUF
Combined ticket II. (entrance ticket + 2nd ticket for the master course) – 10800HUF
Combined ticket III. (entrance ticket + 1st class of the master course + 2nd ticket of the master course) – 13800HUF

Student ticket (with a valid student ID) – 5900HUF

See you in New York! Let’s get … toast together!

Update: Aggie Reiter

8 Apr

Hungexpo – Bocuse d’Or Europe 2022 Competition & Food – Wine Fair

Posted by www.rollinginbudapest.com in Budapest - Hungary, Foreigners with Hungarian language knowledge, Gastronomy, Herald News for Hungarians who speaks English!, Lake Balaton - Hungary, Tourism, Wine and Gastronomy, Wine around Hungary. Tagged: , , , , .

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The Hungexpo Congress and Exhibition Center – Budapest again had the opportunity to host the European finals of the world’s most prestigious cooking competition.

Provider of the ingredients for the competition was SIRHA’s key professional partner the HORECA development leader of METRO.

At this year’s contest, Jerome Bocuse – son of the competition’s founder, Paul Bocuse was also present. The Bocuse d’Or Europe 2022, 17 national teams, including the Hungarian team were present for the competition. The Hungarian team finished in second place, thus qualifying for the World Finals in Lyon in 2023. Denmark won this year’s competition, with Norway taking third place. The best chef came from Sweden, the best ‘theme on plate’ was provided by the team from the United Kingdom while the best meat dish was served by the Swedish team.

This year the largest foreign exhibitor was Italy: many guests flocked to the flavors of Italy stand, where visitors could sample the gastronomy novelties of 20 different firms.

Stopped by the Giusti Family balsamic vinegar from Italy and found out slightly about their background. Since the seventeenth century, passing on the recipe that created a complex harmony of flavors and an excellent product. This balsamic vinegar has a perfect taste, also found out can be served with fresh pasta, ravioli, grilled meat, fresh fruit, fruit salad, desserts.  Tried personally on top of creamy mashed potatoes and result superb taste.. It is aged in barrels with the addition of matured balsamic vinegar extracted from centuries-old barrels.In the dense and sweet sauce, the aroma and taste of plum jam and red fruits are intertwined with honey and vanilla.  Just a reminder … about the allergens … may contain traces of: Sulfur dioxide and sulphite expressed as SO2.

Made in Italy – Latinum Ltd. have been spreading the products at the Hungarian Food Stores, whereas it is introduced Italian gastronomy and promote Italian products to Hungarian customers.

Baker Street Ltd. products  joined with their products to the fair with home-made selection of all-free biscuits are popular both in Hungary and abroad. The Freescuits and Highbake biscuit family is a 100% Hungarian product made from Hungarian ingredients. The Freescuits and Highbake biscuit family won the free award in 2019, which was one of the major recognition of their mission.  Popular both in Hungary and abroad. The Freescuits and Highbake product family, are being gluten-free and vegan, do not contain milk, added sugar, eggs, casein, soy and other allergens.

Wine producers from 91 domestic winemakers debuted in front of a number of international wine experts, journalists and as a result visitors were able to roll around to taste all the wines.

In a brief overview of a couple … At the METRO counter, tasted the Sweet by Tokaj 2016 Late harvest  wine which is available in bottle sizes of 3.75 liter and felt in Heaven with its rich sweet taste of the ripened by the sun’s rays grapes bottled at the harvest time from the best vineyards in the Tokaj wine region. In November, the grapes are harvested, which were already blended in 50% Furmin, 30% Yellow Muscat and 20% Hárslevelű. Their goal was to make a rich wine full of fresh, intense, fruity aromas.

Borbély Family Winery is on the Northern side of Lake Balaton. Badacsony’s landscape, grapes and wine have defined the life of their family for generations. Gyula Borbély and Gabriella established their first joint plantation in Badacsonytomaj in 1981, where today’s estate center is located. Their wines have the fruity aroma and mineral, terroir character of the ripe volcanic soil. In addition to their dry wines, also offering special wine from late harvest. These are the Ice Wine made from frozen grapes or the Italian Riesling Aszú, with which Gyula Borbély won the title of Master of Balaton Wines of 2007. Their wines are produce from Grape varieties i.e. Furmint, Irsai Oliver, Blue-tongued, Muscat Ottonel, Italian Riesling, Pinot Noir, Rhine Riesling, Rose Stone, Pinot Gris, Zeus.

Androsics winery is located a the southern shores of Lake Balaton in Balatonöszöd. The winery was established to process their own grapes. Have been in practice their vineyards for more than 40 years to wine consumers. They organize wine tasting and cellar tour for max 50 people and also vineyard tour for max.10 people. The venue is also suitable for both small and 120-person weddings. Some of their wines without the endless list: The princess, Italian Riesling, Ottonel muscat, Pinot blanc, Red wines and Rosé. Their Rosé wine tasted nice and fresh. If you like not only wine but also fresh air you should visit the winery and surrounding.

Whether long for sweet flavors classic sour cherries, pears, plum, canned veggyie or spicy pickles within the Rege bottles or can cn find the Hungarian tastes. Rege won the Superbrands Award for Outstanding Brands in 2019. Superbrands is a trademark that symbolizes outstanding quality. In addition to the decision of the prestigious expert committee on the award of the prize, the opinion
of consumers also plays a very important role.

Riport & snaps by Aggie Reiter

30 Sep

Taste Gastro Locations Around the Lake Balaton

Posted by www.rollinginbudapest.com in Dinning, Entertainments, For Travelers, Gastronomy, Herald News for Hungarians who speaks English!, Hungary., Lake Balaton - Hungary, Sweeties for sweet tooth individuals, Tourism, Wine and Gastronomy, Wine around Hungary. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

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Last Rays of Summer @ The Lake Balaton

Balaton Circle – “Taste the Circle!” … This year’s first event of the “Kostold Körben” – “Taste Around” wine & gastro festival with restaurants, wineries was held in a worthy location … where else … than at the middle of Lake Balaton, on the ferry between Szántód and Tihany.

GasztroFerry gave gastronomic presentations within 10 restaurants and 10 wineries out of almost 50 members of the Balaton Circle. Find out what flavors, scene, experiences and programs awaited the invited guests and media representatives.

We were one of the One Million passengers on the ferries on Lake Balaton!

In recent years, September has also become a summer month, and it is during this period that Lake Balaton shows its most beloved face. There is no more mass tourism, so they can deal with the guests even more and organize a quality program that promotes the region and the restaurants of Lake Balaton. The goal is to even out the often extreme fluctuations in terms of the number of guests, and to allow entrepreneurs in the region to plan with a year-round opening time. Also added…Many new quality restaurants have opened around the lake this year not only for local businesses, but for the interest of all of them to make Lake Balaton not just a weekend destination. In the future, travel decisions will not be determined solely by the weather report, as in all circumstances and every month, guests will find the right place to visit where programs, attractions and gastronomic experience are in favor around Lake Balaton. With the services and local products of the members of the Balaton Circle, they contributed in making Lake Balaton one of the outstanding gastronomic regions of Hungary – told Lajos Szilágyi – President of the Balaton Circle.

Alíz Markovits – CEO of Veszprém-Balaton 2023 Ltd., spoke about the framework of the European Capital of Culture 2023 project, it had already been recognized in the tender phase that only the region and Lake Balaton could achieve outstanding success. “This aspiration is confirmed by the fact that more than 103 settlements have already joined, and together with them, they can support the aspirations of the Balaton Circle with diverse cultural programs”

“This year celebrating the 175th anniversary of the BAHART was pleased to join the initiative of the Balaton Circle. During the autumn season must be filled with meaningful programs and quality services, which include wine, gastronomy and shipping.” – emphasized Gábor Veigl, CEO of BAHART.

A total of 26 restaurants, confectioneries, wineries and brandy distilleries of the Balaton Circle were presented at the Autumn Opening GastroFerry event. All dishes were freshly prepared on portable hotplates. Participants could get a taste of the yummy finger-food and delights.

“Taste the Circle!” The fleet was divided into two parts, serving on one side were the gastro delight and on the opposite side the wines, Pálinka and gin.  There was an abundant supply of wines and Pálinka. Wineries such as Attila Hajdú – Olaszrizling ⋕1 from Fürjes Winery. The winemaker. former goalkeeper later found his future occupation in hospitality – deals with wine production and can be reach at Fürjes Villa Pension – Balatonfüred, Pócz Winery – Balatonlelle, Kemendy Traditional Champagne Workshop – Balatonfüred, Szabó and Son Wine Cellar – Balatoncsicsó, Martinosa Winery – Mount Tagyon … just mention a couple brilliant wines from a/m wineries.

An everday Q! …Wanna be loose well all who tasted the „Dare-Devil” – „Fenegyerek” selection of Pálinka from Zamárdi surely felt the succulent fruit flavors. Gábor Pach, one of the founders of the Balaton Circle, opened his pálinka distillery in 2014, but he calls it the Wellness Fruit Center. Gábor Pach has been dealing with pálinka over12 years, but he would not have thought at all that he would moor in this area, in fact, he didn’t particularly like pálinka. Then, through an old business relationship, he started working with the Zimek Pálinka Distillery and was completely enchanted by this world. He completed all the training related to pálinka in Hungary, but he actually learned a lot in practice. At the Zamárd plant he still practices the cooking of mostly fruits around Lake Balaton. Was a real pálinka oasis, on the spot to taste almost complete offer of Fenegyerek pálinka and Gin … such as: blueberry, apple, married with apple+raspberry, peach, quince, grape, grape+late cherry. Every sip was exploding and powerful. Tasted a couple and must say Gábor Pach’s pálinka deserves to be known not just in Hungary and/or Europe but overseas as well. Succulent fruit world – wizard of man.  The COVI-DINKA pálinka within the series of “Dare Devil – “Fenegyerek” bombastic within 73% Alcohol. It is a booster of mix fruits. Furthermore, it is so strong that could probably kill the COVID as well :-). A guy who tasted the „Dare-Devil” „Fenegyerek” pálinka said „Leaps and bounds better than anything in showy boutiques or that you can find in a store. We made sure to get a few extra bottles to take back to Texas this time.”

The invited guests on board the ferry were invited to sample the region’s traditional and flavors.  On board the John’s Pub (Restaurant in Keszthely) served a mini mangalica burger with all the goodness of flavors, sweet potato bars, celery salad and various homemade sauces. Tasty cold appetizer were amazing, the salmon trout with beetroot remula and wasabi salad. Next to it, the Lavender Terrace – Balatonvilágos offered pistachio duck liver on top “ice cream” with a cake stick. The sweet tooth lovers made their day as the taste buds felt like being in heaven tasting the MóniSüti Confectionery – Gyenesdiás. The guest tasting plum pie and “Rákóczi” cottage cheese cakes along other sweeties. Walking along the fleet the eye caught the sight of the catfish ceviche of the Vocational Training Center – Siófok – could not resist offering their avocado slices, decorated with sprouts and burnt dough donuts and the pear-chocolate cream dessert.

The “Taste Around!” Lake Balaton following stations of the wine & gastro festival series will be on  October, 9. 2021 – Siófok, November, 6. 2021 – Kövestál, December, 12. 2021 – Balatonfüred, January, 29. 2022  – Zamárdi, February, 12. 2022 – Keszthely.

Riport & Snaps Aggie Reiter