Part 1. Autumn Festival of Museums in Hungary – 2022.

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Part 1. On a full day study tour which was organized for the written and online media representatives by the Hungarian Tourist Agency and the Open-Air Museum of Ethnography – Museum Education and Methodology Center – Szentendre (MOKK)  in presenting the coming up events related to the Autumn Festival of Museums.  The visiting venues were at Tatabánya – Tata –  Oroszlány  – Majk Museum  which are in the region of Central Transdanubian.

Arrived to the venue by bus from Budapest organized by the (MOKK).  Arriving to our first stop at Tatabánya  … the seat of Komárom-Esztergom county …  the media representative were welcomed by – Gabriella A. Pál …  at Majk – Zsuzsanna Éva Kovács and  Tata director Richard Schmidtmayer. Our host talked about their programs,  main goal to shed light on the museums’ role in the natural, intellectual and social fields, clarify the concept of sustainability and to draw attention to the museum’s rich activities related to the Autumn Festival of Museums.Visited two superb museum institutions

In the Tatabánya Museum, was introduced the archaeological monuments discovered in the area, as well as the new and recent monuments. We could have a view of their latest project from a bird’s eye view through  VR glasses which was the topic about garbage collection around the Turul monument. As mentioned, this was made for educational purposes in a playful way to make children aware of the importance of rubbish collection collection.

There are plenty of cultural tourism opportunities in Hungary  … be a guest – visitor at one of them.

Still at Tatabánya visited the Mining and Industria Skanzen with its member institution. This venue is also unique in every sense and most probably in an international context as well. We visited the entire building complexes of the Mine and saw the miners’six-door houses, where we could see age-old tools and equipment, the furnished offices, walking outdoor saw the smaller and giant machines and among them the tools and equipment which looked as an outer space land, and in the meantime went down to the old XV shaft.

Riport to be continued in PART 2.

Riport and snaps by  Aggie Reiter

At the Tornai Winery – 7th Somló “Juhfark” Festival 2022

 

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Venue: Tornai Winery – Somlójenő – Somló Hill – Hungary

Lately visited Somló upon invitation to get to know the 17 wineries bringing 27 Juhfark delights at the Somló Juhfark Festival.

The representative presentation of Juhfark – (Sheep Tail) was organized for the seventh time with the co-operation of winemakers from Somló, where the public could participate in tasting the best batches of the past years wines and get to know the winemakers personally, ask questions, talk about their techniques of wine making, the characteristics of the wines, taste and taste again.

The Somló Juhfark (“Sheep Tail” – in English) – (staying with the original Hungarian name from now one) Holiday, was organized a special walking tasting event in many ways in providing a special experience for the wine-loving public. At the Festival one of the most popular wineries were present at the same time with their best wines. We were introduced to know the characteristics of the wine region. We could also follow the handiwork from the winemaker within tasting their items. These wines were completely different types and characters of Juhfark.

In brief back in time long the way to to-day’s Somló Winery … Endre Tornai after returning home from the war, he restarted the family farm. Instead of the grapes he lost in Badacsony, he bought an outdated plantation in Somló, barely two months old … began his small cellar the Tornai cellar. It is one of the oldest of this kind on a 0.7 ha wine-land, today expanded 50 ha. The 450 ha lands on the hill side are now cultivated by 3000 landowners becoming small plots. For the first time it has been introduced here. The process …the juice is left to stay in contact with the grapes skin for approx. 7 – 14 hours.Then yielding a brightly color, full-bodies white wine with charastic acidic-mineral taste mixed elegantly with fresh, fruity fragrance. Several grapes varietals are planted in the field … Riesling, Juhfarok, Szürkebarát, Furmint, Hárslevelű, Zeus, Zenit and Pinot Blanc. The Hárslevelű 2011 earned great gold medal at the international wine competition in Verona. In 2003 received a gold medal in Montreal and Düsseldorf and several other countries.

The wine of Somló and the Tornai winery has for ages been known … taken as medicine … In the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and beyond the Somló wines were claimed to possess medicinal qualities. Many healing powers were recorded. The wine was in favor in the court of Habsburgs, as drinking Somló wine on the royal wedding night was believed to increase the chance to conceive a male child. So along the way from 1990 and today it became, known as the “wedding night wine”

Back to highlight the festival … Juhfark and Somló is a special pairing with a mineral flavor, inimitable wine. The unique volcanic character of the mountain can best be seen … tasted … in the bottles of Juhfark wines.

Participating wineries were: 5 Ház Wine Estate, Barcza Winery, Bogdán Estate, Csetvei Winery, Csordás-Fodor Winery, Dobosi Winery, Fekete Pince, Hegedűs-Szabó Winery, Kolonics Winery, Kőfejtő Cellar, Kreinbacher Estate, Somlói Vándor Cellar, Szabó Winery, Szalai Cellar, Tomcsányi Family Estate, Tornai Winery, Zzirai Winery

At the Tornai winery can not only enjoyed the wines, but also beauty of the varied golden field of “Grapeville” at Somló.
In addition to the walking tasting, we could participate in additional programs. One workshop was a ride on a special little bus coming to pick us up just for this occasion, rolling up-and-down Somló hilly side on the vineyard tour titled “Journey around Somló”. During our ride ongoing tasting was held.

We were also able to take part in a special museum-cellap, where the history of generations in winemakers of the Tornai’s family tree and now rare wine making tools were introduced.

At another workshop, we got to know more about the Somló’s vineyards … also tasting excellent wines, older vintages and famous wines from this great wine regions, comparing them with each batch of Juhfark. Was told that the Somló Juhfark wine has crossed the Ocean to the States and there it goes through a web auction … maybe a collect or a deeply wine lover has already cherished a bottle of Juhfark.

Riport and snaps Aggie Reiter

Be in Japan! Japanese Garden @ 14th District Budapest – Hungary

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Now a little trip to Japan, without flying around 11 hours within the distance of 8923kms/5544MI to gain an insight into the nature fields of Japan … i.e. the Japanese Garden in Budapest/Hungary … To Be In Japan.

Upon invitation from the Cardex Ltd Hungary held a press conference. Their aim is to supports an even greener environment within their green bag campaign. Cardex officially presented its new product, its environmentally friendly gift bags and wrapping paper made of grass paper. As was told: “Every third tree can be saved by using grass paper!” The meeting point to the media representatives and interested parties was at the Japanese Garden – District XIV. Angol Street at the Márton Varga Horticultural and Land Surveying Technical School. The press meeting was held open-air in the superb environment having the lush vegetation which are already leaning towards the Fall. We toured the garden with horticultural engineer Dóra Leber-Mogyorósi. At first passing through the typical torii gate at the most famous corner of the Japanese garden. The Japanese Garden is an oasis where you can right away relaxed and recharged. Green nature is still carrying on in the mid-fall seen around the inner courtyard, where still growing Mediterranean plants.

The Japanese garden is full of symbols … water-permeable gravel pavements create a natural effect that may easily cross from one side to the other by the visitors just like any other solid road surface. The perfect harmony of the huge rocks and the beautifully designed water architectures presented the sight pleasuring for the eyes/ears. Can roll along the paths and feel the peace vibes around to the visitor. The garden built form is type of an archaic lowland tea garden formed the Muromachi period. It lays on architectural tradition the penultimate period of the millennia-long Japanese garden. These gardens are built around the tea ceremony which were meant to be in use for relaxation. The lake system built in the garden helps to slow down, turn inside/onwards.

The garden plants and trees are completely adapted to Hungary’s climatic conditions. Among the plants could see really only native to Japan, may see an ancient rosemary bush, also two beautiful ferns (Gingko biloba), a boy and a girl. In this case, the name really holds its place, because Gingko is dioecious, that is, the stamens and fertile flowers are on separate plants. In April during its season with cherry blossom are dressed in pink offering a beautiful sight and charming fragrant shrub blooms with its pleasant scent reminiscent of jasmine fill the air. Was brought to our attention among many others, the collection of peonies, which gives an amazing sight when in bloom and was told that at the same time 33 different varieties blooming. Most probably rolling along the “Bridge of Sighs” can make a wish … according to legends, their wish will come true. On the spot one of the symbols of the country the Fugi , here a mini construction surrounding rocks, pines to represent by ferns and vegetation. (Fugi is the highest mountain in the archipelago … more commonly known as Fujisan in Japan). The garden plants and trees are completely adapted to Hungary’s climatic conditions. During the tour was also told, in the garden, can see one of the oldest Sichuan mammoth pines in the country. The species was thought to be extinct for a long time, but in 1944 a small herd was found in a secluded valley in China. The school also received two seedlings from successful domestic propagation in the 1950s, one of which survived and has now grown into a huge tree. The oldest tree in the garden is an early maple native, which can be much older than 100 years, next to it stands the Japanese acacia with special shapes, the purple acacia collection includes a variety flowers around in a one-meter cluster of hanging branches.

Was mentioned during the tour, that in the 1930s, at the time being even the Japanese royal couple paid their respects here at a tea ceremony, and were so pleased that they sent plants from the Imperial Palace to the horticulture in return.

At the end of the tour, the participants were treated with vegan dishes from a food truck on the spot.

Worthwhile to pay a visit for those interested in Japanese nature and wish to find a peaceful place outside the hustle and bustle from the Capital of Hungary.

Tickets can be purchased at the school’s entrance on the Kövér Lajos street, where can also get a map to help the navigate in the garden. The garden can be visited by anyone or a group of pupils with their teachers seven days a week from Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May also request professional guidance, but this must be arranged in advance. Garden management is open for events, fees for weddings and film shoots by special agreement. Further information … Japanese Garden/District XIV. Budapest

See the snaps through the slideshow taken on the media tour at Japanese Garden.

Riport and snaps Aggie Reiter

The 7th Somlói Juhfark (Sheep Tail) Holiday 2022.

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Saturday, October, 22. 2022.

Venue: Tornai Winery – 1242 Somló hill – Somlójenő

Somló Veszprém county, on the eastern edge of the Marcal basin, a 435-meter high volcanic mountain stands out from the plains.  Venue: Tornai Winery – 1242 Somló hill – Somlójenő. Nowonder the Juhfark and Somló are a special pair. The unique, volcanic character of the mountain can best be conveyed by Juhfark, and vice versa: the varietal traits characteristic of  Juhfark are best displayed on Somló. The result: an inimitable wine with a complex, mineral flavor. The walking tasting is a special experience, one of the most popular genres of the wine-loving public, where the best wines of several wineries are available at the same time  on the spot.

Be ready to walking tasting superb 27 Juhfark wines from 17 wineries  on October, 22. 2022. The winemakers from Somló, welcome the public  and can taste the best batches of the past years, personally presented by the winemakers. The Somlói Juhfark Holiday will be a special walking tasting in several ways: First of all: it is exclusively about Juhfark. Such a presentation focusing on a single breed can be interesting if the breed is multifaceted. Not only the characteristics of the wine region, the perception of the winemaker handwork. Can sense from the tasting batches and discover the wines of completely different types and characters. Juffark is like that. Second: at this event, not only the wines, but also their makers, the winemakers themselves, will be presented. We can get to know many authentic winemakers, ask questions, talk about the techniques of wine making, the characteristics of wines, taste and re-taste.
And finally: it will be held at Somló, where can enjoy not only the wines, but also the unique environment. Wherever their foot leads the visitors, will find diverse natural beauties, impressive panoramas, well-ordered rows of grapes, wonderful cellars and chapels.
Additional programs and workshops make the walking tasting even more interesting at the Juhfark holiday. The best way to know vineyards of Somló, older vintages and the famous wine regions of the world comparing its wines with each Juhfark wines.

The organizers also provide with the visitors tasting ticket(so called participation fee)local transfers from their personally reserved designated accommodations such as: 5Ház, Wine Estate, Hotel Kristály Ajka, Somló Nordic, Somló Kiss Estate, Varsádi Boutique Guesthouse.

The Day’s Program:
Walking/Tasting (1 p.m. – 8 p.m.) The best Juhfark items from Somló. Ticket price: 8900HUF
The walking tasting ticket entitles the participant to unlimited tastings during the entire duration of the event of the winery’s 27 wines.
Workshops: No. 1. Trip around Somló (Noon – 2 p.m.) Bus vineyard tour on the mountain. The view is something to remember to, the best wines of the wineries along the route. Ticket price: 5900HUF.

No. 2. Somló VS World (3 p.m.) Juhfark and indigenous varieties in the world’s great wine regions. How the terroir affects the variety and how it shows and the variety the strengths of the terroir? Where and what kind of wine is born from this venue? Interactive comparative tasting by Attila Fiáth (WSET). Ticket price: 7900HUF.

No. 3. Faces of the Juhfark (6 p.m.) Comparative tasting of international award-winning Tornai Juhfark of different vintages led by Tamás Tornai. Ticket price: 5900HUF.

Guided museum and cellar tour (2 p.m. and 5 p.m.) Ticket price: 1000HUF (ticket purchase on the spot)

Participating wineries and wines welcoming the visitors:
5 House Estate: Juhfark 2020, Juhfark 2019. – Baráth Wine Workshop: Juhfark 2020. – Barcza Winery: Barcza Juhfark 2020 (unfiltered), Juhfark 2019 (unfiltered) – Csetvei Winery: Juhfark 2017 – Dobosi Winery: Bio Juhfark 2021 – Fehérvár Estate: Reserve Juhfark 2020 –  Grand Reserve Juhfark 2020- Black Cellar: Juhfark 2019 – Hegedűs-Szabó Winery: Juhfark 2020, 2021 – Quarry Cellar: Juhfark 2020, Juhfark 2019, Juhfark 2018, Juhfark 2017- Kreinbacher Estate: Juhfark Selection 2020, Juhfark 2021 – Somlói Abbey Cellar: Juhfark 2020 – Somlói Vándor Cellar: Juhfark 2021 – Szabó Winery: Juhfark 2020 – Tomcsányi Family Estate: Juhfark 2021 (unfiltered) – Tornai Winery: Premium Juhfark 2021, Aranyhegy Juhfark 2020, Grófi Juhfark 2019 – Zsirai Winery: Juhfark 2020.

Transfer: From Budapest  – Back&Forth – Somló Winery. A special bus departs from Budapest to celebrate Juhfark (Sheep Tail) wines.

Bus departure: Saturday, October 22, 2022, 10 a.m. from BAH junction gas station. Return bus from Somló Saturday, October 22, 2022, 8 p.m. Tornai Winery. Round-trip ticket price: 6900HUF

Recommender: Aggie Reiter

Part 3. The Voice of Kékfrankos Reached Near&Far Wine and Gastronomy 2022 @ Sopron

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Part 3. Comes the local culinary specialties and continues with the day after wine tastings of the best Kékfrankoc -Blue Franc Sopron wines at  local wine cellars.

Gastronomic participants of the Day: Krois Brewery – with craft beers, Chocotrade – with chocolate fountain, Harrer Chocolat – wine chocolate presentation, Fertő-Hanság National Park – with gray beef and buffalo salami,  Deák Restaurant, ZAKAnT Restaurant, Bojtorina Vegan Kitchen, Erhardt Restaurant.

The Deák Restaurant‘s roast duck, diced cabbage and caramelized plums were great to  taste. The ZAKanT Restaurant‘s stewed beef cheeks seasoning with Kékfrankos, vegetables with sauce and bacon dumplings. Bojtorina Restaurant‘s tomato and chickpea ragout with roasted vegetables, the taste of black forest’s own recipe was a special experience, furthermore the Avocado bruschetta selection. Erhardt Restaurant‘s wild meat with crushed pumpkin and selection of oranges and Tornácos Restaurant homemade pasta, Dryager sirloin, mushroom velouté, along with new spring onions.

A load of yummies were not missing, tasting snacks, appetizers, desserts, pumkin potato pie, vegan veggie bowls, freshly made 100% hawthorn, elderberry, beetroot saps,  Harrer Chocolat‘s the chocolates were mouthwatering especially pairing with wine&chocolates.

The local artisan Krois beer brought a palette of their rich in flavors in  the Black Unicorn beer, which is a great clean stout, black beer good dark flavor, good hops with a pleasantly coffee, dry finish.

As  getting closer to the nightfall the Four Corners Orchester and the Blue Cafe Band gave a grand music concert.

Spent an overnight resting in the heart of the subalpine climate Lővér Forest at the Hotel Fagus, a 4-star wellness which is situated in Sopron, organized for the staying group by Effix-Marketing Ltd. Civils for Fertőtájért, Sopron Fertő Tourism Development Nonprofit Ltd. Unfortunately, we were not able to spend time in the Spa world with that unique atmosphere, but I would like to highlight the wide selection of excellent buffet breakfast. I can really recommend to stay at the hotel throughout the year … and of course anytime after taking part in an active wine cellar tour.

NEXT DAY’s program was visiting two wineries. One was the HAUER Cellar – Balf. Arriving to the venue looking at the tidy attic house from the street front, no one would think that it hides a tiny winery. The Hauer Cellar is carrying about 300 years of tradition.  Hauer Erik replanted their lands in the Balf area, placing great emphasis on the main variety of the wine region, the Kékfrankos – Blue Franc. In addition to pure and characterful royal princess, they also make excellent Rosé in their cellar. Preservation of the fruitfulness and character of the growing area is mandatory for them in all cases. He said Q.:  “80 percent of what the wine will be depends on the grapes, the rest we add or spoil it.”  Now he grows six types of grapes and from them he makes ten types of wine. The group tasted Hauer Rozé (Kékfrankos) 2021, Hauer Kékfrankos Classic 2016, Hauer Kékfrankos Old Vine 2018, Hauer Királyleányka Pearl Wine 2021.The land, climate was filled in the bottle.

At the LUKA winery – Fertőrákos were step-by-step  tasting of four wines: Zweigelt 2020, Merlot 2020, Kékfrankos 2020, Cabernet sauvignon 2018. We filled a small tasting room, but it was designed in such a manner that on one side, through a large glass wall, can see the barrel aging area and on the other side see a picturesque view of the Lake Fertő.  She spoke about their family tree back to 1560, their coat of arms decorating the snow-white house wall replaces the letter “U” in their name. Enikő doesn’t want to be the biggest, the coolest, the richest, she just wants their name to be well-known everywhere, a guarantee of assured quality. She does not want to produce in large quantities. In the weak year of 2010, six thousand to five hundred bottles were filled, but in better years no more than eight to nine thousand are made. Her wine territory is a total 2.7 hectares. The zweigelt is nearby in Újhegy. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Kékfrankos can be found between  the route of Balf and Fertőrákos.

Riport and snaps Aggie Reiter

Part 2. The Voice of Kékfrankos Reached Near&Far 2022 – Wine and Gastronomy @ Sopron

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Part .2  Kékfrankos Wine and Gastronomy Experience 2022 Festival’s day continuing with ongoing tasting, also at Ferenc Liszt Conference and Cultural Center, organized by Effix-Marketing Ltd. Civils for Fertőtájért, Sopron Fertő Tourism Development Nonprofit Ltd. By many known as Sopron Wine Region is home to the largest Kékfrankos plantation in the country. An area of about 1000 hectares covering two-thirds of the wine region. The most beautiful wines of the Sopron Wine Region were presented by 33 exhibitors, including 20 wineries with 70 featured items offering to taste and giving an insight by the winemakers into the treasures of this region . It was impossible to taste all the excellent items (maybe next time) so everyone gave a try in tasting some varieties. Participating Winemakers were: Bónis-Reitter Winery, Bruckner Winery, Etyeki Kúria Borgazdaság Sopron wines, Fényes Cellar, Gangl Winery, Hauer Cellar, Hermann Cellar, Horváth Wine, Iváncsics Cellar, Jandl Cellar, Lővér Cellar, Luka Winery, Pfneiszl Estate, Steigler Cellar, Stubenwoll Cellar, Taschner Wine and Champagne House, Töltl Winery, Vincellér Wine Estate, Winelife Winery, Zachár Wine. Horváth Imre Winery … Is a small family winery in Sopron has been engaged in ecological, organic viticulture for 10 years. Wines matured in traditional oak, acacia barrels and stainless steel tanks and are bottled – sold as draft wine.  Produce: Furmint, Yellow Muscovy, Viognier, other white wines. Red wines: Cabernet franc, Cabernet sauvignon, Kékfrankos, Merlot, Pinot noir, Syrah, Zweigelt, Rosé. Red wines: Cabernet franc, Cabernet sauvignon, Kékfrankos, Merlot, Pinot noir, Syrah, Zweigelt, Rosé. Cannot deny, favorite of mine was the Sopron Syrah – 2017  which had an almost black appearance with the smell of blackberry and cherry, being big-bodied wine with well-balanced tannin and the spiciness of black pepper. Bónis-Reitter Winery … Red wine ZOAN – 2019 … as was said: “We have been waiting for this vintage for years to make the flagship wine of our cellar, a large-structured, thick-textured Kékfrankos.” Bánfalva was recorded as settlements as early as the 13th century. This Kékfrankos wine has medium-intensity plum and black cherry aromas, bright acidity and medium tannin. Taschner Wine and Champagne HouseWhy/When/Where named Kékfrankos? The answer is simple . This grape variety is so closely associated with the wine region that the locals even keep an anecdote namely Kékfrankos. According to the legend … “When the new war of Napoleonic France and the Habsburg Empire broke out on April 10, 1809. Napoleon’s soldiers marched towards Győr in 1809 and they also occupied Sopron. Although no major battles took place, the soldiers lingered here for five months. The daily ration they received from the city was half a lime wine, which meant 3.5-4 deciliters, but this was not enough for the majority. And if someone wanted more, they had to pay for it. Soldiers had two types of notes, the less valuable red franc and the more valuable blue franc. The resourceful wine farmers of Sopron, the Poncichters, of course only accepted in exchange only the blue franc for their wine, hence the name Kékfrankos – Blue Franc. Latest wine from Taschner Soproni Kékfrankos 2020/2021 is the flagship wine of the Sopron region. According to research,  its grapes originates from the Caspian Sea region, and which were brought by our conquerors. It is extremely widespread in the Carpathian basin and owes its popularity to its reliability and characterful wine. Its wine is characterized by a rich tannin acid content and has a deep ruby ​​red color. Vincellér Wine Estate – Tasting Vincellér Fizzi Miska 2021, semi-sweet sparkling wine and Vincellér Late Zenith 2018 was top on my taste. The winery is owned by three families namely: Molnár, Pieler and Sásdi. The winery made its first two wines in 1986, from the Kékfrankos installed in 1972 and from a Zweigelt made in 1979. In 1996 they had bought the Széchenyi Cellar at Fertőboz. Their basic (Vincellér) and selected (Molnártiti Selection) wines are popular. Steigler Cellar is located in the heart of Sopron’s poncichter district on Balfi Road, built centuries ago, under the dwelling houses. Was told by Tamás Varga winemaker on the spot that even before Roman times, the unmistakable soil and micro climate encouraged the people who settled here to plant grapes and make wine. According to written records, the Celts were the first to taste the wines of the Fertő region. No wonder known by many Steigler Cellar located in Hungary they are the oldest wine region and carries on the millennia-old traditions in creating organic wines.The plantation has green veltelín, zweigelt, kékfrankos, pinot noir, merlot, cabernet sauvignon varieties. Anyone who has delved even a little into the history of the Sopron wine region already knows that the farmers did not build their cellars in the vineyards, but down floor in their houses. That is why Sopron’s downtown and the farmer’s quarter hide many interesting cellars and cellar systems. The vineyards located in beautiful surroundings are therefore out of sight of the guests. Some farmers recognized this, which is why they organize special and exciting adventure tours to their wine region. The purpose of the adventure tour is to discover the Sopron wine region, bring nature and vineyards closer, admire the landscape, and see where the Sopron Kékfrankos is growing today.

The locals of Sopron says: “If you go home from Sopron without tasting Kékfrankos, it’s as if you haven’t been here”… agree!

Riport and snaps: Aggie Reiter

Part 1. The Voice of Kékfrankos Reached Near&Far Kékfrankos 2022 – Wine and Gastronomy

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Sopron Capital of Kékfrankos – Blue Franc wine

After a long day gaining full of experience, get ready for the three parts of a long report … really worthwhile to know more about one of the superb wine regions of Sopron close to the Hungarian- Austria border.

The event’s main goal was to promote the Sopron Wine Region and to emphasize the calm, quiet touristic nature of the City and its surroundings.

Upon invitation left Budapest by separate bus for a full-day program to Sopron delivering the press and media representatives.The transportations and participating at the event was organized by Effix-Marketing Ltd. Civils for Fertőtájért, Sopron Fertő Tourism Development Nonprofit Ltd. Beside the Hungarians foreigners from abroad Great Britain, Poland, France and Germany connected in wine industries, journalists and key economic players were off to Sopron. Upon arrival to the prestigious event were present Dr. Schneider István Gábor, Sopron Borvidék Hegyközégé, Vice-Chairman). Mayor City of Sopron – Dr. Ciprián Farkas, and Dr. István Gábor Schneider – vice-chairman of the Sopron Wines whom welcomed the guests. Their presentation gave an update about the wine regions, its gastronomic, cultural diversity and figures of tourist staying at Sopron. The event took place @ the City’s Ferenc Liszt Conference and Cultural Center.

Major Dr. Ciprián Farkas opening words were about the Sopron wines landscape Q”: Sopron true winemaking center which is at the foot of the Alps, at the junction of the Lake Fertő landscape and the Little Plain. This triple unity accompanies activities are a meeting of three cultures here: Hungarian, Croatian and, last but not least, German. The German minority living here played a significant role in the fact that today we can speak of a wine region. Sopron is capital of Kékfrankos, an excellent wine country and region for all three types of wine to grow well: red, rosé and white. Here at Sopron we know that the Sopron wines at the stores are not on the shelves where they should be, but we also know that this performance is achievable together shoulder-by-shoulder to bring together Sopron’s winemakers and we would like to do everything we can to ensure that the Sopron winemakers also undertake this task together. It is their common interest to strengthen the perception of Sopron wine to receive their better assignment.

Dr. Schneider István Gábor, Sopron Borvidék Hegyközégé – Vice-Chairman) presentation concerned that the Kékfrankos blue grape varieties are common because the wines are determined much more by the territory than by the varietal characteristics in Sopron’s territory The international wine academician:  Dr. Attila Fiáth DipWSET – international wine academician, Dr. András Csizmadia – BorSchola founder, teacher, wine expert, Sándor Viniczai – journalist, Tibor Molnár  – Soproni Wine Association, István Kurt Taschner, – general secretary  Hungarian Wine Academy Kékfrankos confirmed their thanks to the climatic and soil properties of the Sopron wine region, it is characterized by acids that enable longer aging. The region’s variegated grape varieties, from Rosé to top-class Kékfrankos in many styles, mostly stem from the characteristics of the place of production. The Róze ripens in the cool climate of Düll on the shores of the Fertő Lake, rich in warmer sunshine, while the Kékfrankos matures.

Many were asking … what it is in a memorable bottle of Sopron’s wine? … The answer was pretty simple … To be worthy representative of the Sopron’s region and characteristics of the landscape. The climate is a badge in bringing the best Kékfrankos. Mostly are manually harvested, crop restriction and are prepared within the traditional and modern wine-making processes. These are mainly aged in wooden barrels, but some of them in use of metal containers. The winemakers here on the spot offered a wide range of fragrant heavy-bodied white, red wines and Rozé and anyone caould taste the Kékfrankos wines from different territory of Sopron.

During the day, two small optional special  winemakers sightseeing tours was available for the visitors. One was offered an insight into the hidden values, curiosities and legends of Sopron. The second “Liquid Sopron” in connection between wines and Sopron. Had told many data i.e. that way back the family’s had a cellar in their own basement as well, which for many up till now was not really known. The main patron to the event Attila Barcza, Member of Parliament, Vice Chairman of the Economic Committee of the Parliament, Chairman of the Tourism Subcommittee who  latter joined the group on the tour.

“Early evening hours round table with the wines”  presentation took place by the international wine academician:  Dr. Attila Fiáth DipWSET – international wine academician, Dr. András Csizmadia – BorSchola founder, teacher, wine expert, Sándor Viniczai – journalist, Tibor Molnár  – Soproni Wine Association, István Kurt Taschner, – general secretary  Hungarian Wine Academy. Spoke about the status of the importance of this event, such as the situation of Hungarian wine, co-operation … young people … wine consumption … wine and brand … growing area, … climate … international recognition … Sopron and its situation of Hungarian wine and other insights. Was a really good and awakening, inspirational conversations. The president of the Borút – Wine Road – Association highlighted the importance while having tastings listen to the winemakers speak about their experience.

Participating Winemakers were already waiting for the guest to stop by at their table for the tasting. These were: Bónis-Reitter Winery, Bruckner Winery, Etyeki Kúria Borgazdaság Sopron wines, Fényes Cellar, Gangl Winery, Hauer Cellar, Hermann Cellar, Horváth Wine, Iváncsics Cellar, Jandl Cellar, Lővér Cellar, Luka Winery, Pfneiszl Estate, Steigler Cellar, Stubenwoll Cellar, Taschner Wine and Champagne House, Töltl Winery, Vincellér Wine Estate, Winelife Winery, Zachár Wine.

Riport to be continued @ Part 2.

Riport and snaps Aggie Reiter

 

 

Today the SPAR Budapest Marathon 2-day festival all about running has come to the end

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At least for another year to wait for this fantastic SPAR Marathon event to be able to run here  @ Budapest again.

The 37th SPAR Budapest Marathon Festival took place with the participation of more than 17,000 participants. On the second day of the event, 3,750 marathoners tackled the spectacular capital route, which also offers a view of the world heritage sites. Along with the individual runners, hundreds of couples and four-person teams completed the 42-kilometer king’s distance. The participants of the 30-kilometer distance, referred to as the anteroom of the marathon, ran together with the marathon field. In the new third marathon (14 km), even those who are not yet ready for the classic distance could experience the marathon atmosphere.
The 37th SPAR Budapest Marathon is an international event, this year it took place with the participation of athletes from 89 countries, in addition to 830 domestic municipalities. The marathon race was organized by the (BSI) Budapest Sport Office (BSI) on a course certified by AIMS.
In the 37th SPAR Budapest Marathon – fastest man was Levente Szemerei – an athlete from the Szekszárd Sports Center, with a time of 2:21:44 – fastest woman was Eszter Csillag – known as a cross-country runner, finished first with a time of 2:59:16.
After the first arrivals at the finish line, the members of the marathon field continued to arrive to the finish line for more than 3 hours. The finish time of 5 hours and 30 minutes also gave the opportunity to those who run at a slower pace or were taking on the challenge of their boot-list to complete the classic king’s distance. This year’s field included 870 runners who completed their first marathon.
An excellent atmosphere awaited the runners on the marathon route with 36 music points and individuals at numerous fan points ensured & cheers went out for runners.

Riport: Aggie Reiter

Hello Europe – Hello Marathon Runners of the World – Join SPAR Budapest Marathon® Festival 2022.

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The 37th SPAR Budapest Marathon® Festival to this year the press conference took place at the Hall of the National Dance Theater on September 27, 2022.

Still 8 DAYS to come … hurry-up … catch-up … sign-up … to be at the start-off … to participate Hungary’s best-known running event.

SPAR Marathon® Hungary’s largest recreational sports event is running your way!

At the SPAR Budapest Marathon® press conference were present Budapest’s Deputy Mayor Dr Anett Bősz responsible for human areas – marathon runner – spoke about her own experiences, saying that the marathon does not begin with the start, nor does it end at the finish line. The person who crosses the finish line is not the same person who warmed up in the starting zone in the morning. Running a marathon is a way of life, when we experience that we ourselves are our own chance and opportunity.

Árpád Kocsis – executive competition director – Budapest Sports Office (BSI) said: “Q” : “The running fever is rising higher-and-higher in getting closer to the forthcoming SPAR Marathon® Hungary! Entries are pouring in from all corners of the country. Almost eighteen thousand Hungarians from 800 domestic settlements and more than two thousand foreign runners from 83 countries are to be enjoying their enter to Budapest’s world heritage panorama on October, 8-9.” Also added „Q”:The event is held each year over a weekend in the season of Fall. The „Marathon” begins with several shorter races for runners of all ages and abilities. Expecting more than 30000 individuals to put on their running shoes to start at one of the distances, “e.g”. 600-meter family run, and 5, 10, 30 kms. and/or the marathon relay, up to the classic marathon distance.

Almost everything is the same as what was interrupted two-an-half years ago, participants can get ready for a frenetic atmosphere having Music Marathon, Professional championships, Diplomat Cup, Charities participants, Exhibitors. There is great interest as was in the previous years by the actors to Run for the Theater competition, which is unique in Europe and announced as part of the Tolle Marathon Relay, and a list of other runners including the members of the Hungarian State Opera House, Comedy Theater, the Playhouse Theater, the Örkény Theater, the National Dance Theater, the Városmajor Outdoor Theater, the Pesti Hungarian Theater, the Jurányi Community Incubator House, the Újszínház, and the Ördögkatlan.

Máriusz Révész – State Secretary responsible for Active Hungary, emphasized: „Q”: “The Eurobarometer research was published recently, in which it was found that 71% of people in Hungary do not exercise at all or just very rarely. This figure puts us far behind the EU average. Because of our health and mental state, we definitely have to change this percentage! A well-organized event change the minds of people in having enormous power to start a heathier sporty life and many people start running, swimming, and/or cycling because they realize how good they feel after their activity.”

One of the special features of Saturday, October 8. is the jubilant 10th FODISZ Equality Run. László Szabó president of the National Association of Students, Competitions and Leisure Sports of the Disabled said the following: ”Q”: “The event invites young people living with disabilities, people with limited mobility, and those who want to express their solidarity to run a symbolic 500-meter distance. The aim of the program is to enable those children with disabilities to experience the joy and excitement of racing, for whom active sports are not necessarily part of everyday life. We also specifically welcome participants who want to express their sympathy to their fellow human beings with special needs. This also promotes social integration in the field of Hungarian sports. In light of this, outstanding athletes and para-athletes will also visit the movement, who will run together with the applicants. The race creates an excellent opportunity for community building and networking.”

The 37th SPAR Budapest Marathon® starts on Saturday morning October, 8. at 9 a.m. from the Pázmány Péter promenade. The 42,195-meter distance can be completed individually, in pairs, and/or in a four-person relay within the framework of the Tolle Marathon Relay. This year’s novelty, the SPAR 14 kms, also starts with this field. In addition to this large field, the participants of the Regnum 30 kilometer run will also join.

The organizer of the Budapest Sportiroda (Sport Office Budapest) members will be on the spot to support the runners with more than 80,000 liters of water, 32,000 liters of Gatorade, 1000 liters of Pepsi Cola, 280 kilograms of grape sugar and 13000 bananas. Around 1200 organizers and directors work on the safe conduct of the event during the two days.

Márk Maczelka – Head of Communications SPAR Hungary said:„Q”: “Since 2008, our company has been the title sponsor and main supporter of the SPAR Budapest Marathon® Festival. It is one of the largest recreational sports events in Hungary and Europe, which is also the featured running race of the year and a social event at the same time. Its primary goal is to make as many people as possible fall in love with running and to draw attention to the importance of a health-conscious, sporty lifestyle. We provide free entry for our own community and colleagues, thereby motivating them to participate and exercise regularly. The health-conscious lifestyle – to which we are committed not only with our products, but also with our social responsibility activities – is also promoted at this event.” He added „Q”: The course is a mix of gravel and pavement to ease the knees with some rolling hills to keep the legs awake on the entire route. The SPAR Marathon course opens the eyes especially to the foreigners participating in the run and will guarantee to make them fall in love with all its beauty of Budapest as racing to cross the finish line.”

Charity activities are traditionally associated with the two-day running festival. Thanks to the event’s 9 charitable partner organizations and the approximately 800 fund-collecting or donating participants, the “charity yield” of the two days can reach 10 million HUF.

At the end of the press conference, a one million HUF grant was symbolically handed over. The “Aktív Magyarországért” (Active for Hungary) award, established in 2021. It was one of the first to receive the Budapest Sport Office last November in recognition of its decades of activity in the field of promoting an active lifestyle. The two executives decided not to keep the one million HUF associated with the award, but to be in use to support the work of the “Sarolta Monspart Healthy Lifestyle Foundation”, which takes care of the spiritual and material legacy of Sarolta Monspart, who died last year. Botond Feledy, son of Sarolta Monspart and Péter Feledy, received the plaque representing this support from István Máth, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, and also managing director of BSI.

The Marathon runners can enjoy the world heritage panorama of Hungary’s capital during running along designated sites. The competitors rolling over the River Danube bridges, three of which glinting the sights of Budapest and also enjoying their en route through Margitsziget (Margaret Island). Along the marathon route, 36 musical stations add strength to continue the runners passing by. Expecting a large number of audience en route to vision the runners and to cheer them on their way. Not only foreigners but local may relax after the run and rest their bodies, legs in the thermal pools at the unique 16th and 17th century Turkish baths or at the popular neo-baroque Széchenyi bath.

In the group photo, from left to right: Péter Ertl, director of the National Dance Theater, László Szabó, president of the National Association of Students, Competitions and Leisure Sports of the Disabled, Árpád Kocsis, executive competition director of the Budapest Sports Office, dr. Anett Bősz, Budapest’s deputy mayor responsible for human areas, Márk Maczelka, communications manager of SPAR Hungary, and Máriusz Révész, state secretary responsible for Active Hungary.

Registration/prices: (https://marathon.runinbudapest.com/prices/

Riport and snaps by Aggie Reite

Temples of Art – Napoleon – In the Name of Art

Napoleon 200 aneversary

101 minutes, 2022 DCP – Italian documentary – (ART film) – Age above: 12 yrs.
Director: Giovanni Piscaglia
Premiere screening in just a week at Uránia National Movie Theater – October, 6. 2022. – Budapest.

The first words heard in the movie … “After Jesus Christ, Napoleon is the most famous man in history. To mark the 200th anniversary of Napoleon’s death (in 2021)… this documentary explores the complex relationship between Napoleon, culture and art. It is about the language he used to build a new imperial iconography and a new architectural style, in a reconstruction that will also allow us to reflect on the relationship between power and image meditated by art, as well as look at the regimes of the twentieth century and the world today.”

A unique tour takes the audience from Brera Academy – Milan to the Louvre – Paris with guidance of the most renowned art historian expert and Academy Award winning actor Jeremy Irons, holding a torch to lead the audience all the way through the journey and expressing his respectful admiration for Napoleon.

As said above … last year was the 200th anniversary of Napoleon’s death, a documentary made on that occasion that tries to explore the famous statesman’s very complicated relationship with culture, especially with fine arts.
From what building elements did he create the iconography of the new imperial power … with what architectural style did he perceive the arrival of the new age? This historical and cultural documentary seeks authentic answers to the question of what kind of relationship there is between political power and its desired image displayed by means of visual arts, not only in Napoleon, but also in the 20th century. during the totalitarian systems of the 20th century, and even in our time!

For the first time in two hundred years, the Te Deum composed for Napoleon’s coronation as emperor will be heard again, as its sheet music has recently been unearthed from the State Archives in Milan.

The premiere screening will be led by Gabriele la Posta – director of the Budapest Italian Cultural Institute, who is also a historian.

Coming up the list of screenings in Hungary after the premiere in Budapest .

Distributed in Hungary by Pannonia Entertainment Ltd.

Recommender Aggie Reiter