Tokaj - sweet natured! - wine tasting and course with László Alkonyi

@TOKAJ-HEGYALJA MARKET @14.00 on Sunday 9th March 2014
In the function room above the Sárga Borház restaurant

Sweet naturalness: the sought-after heritage of Tokaj
The quest for the aszú berry (noble rot and shrivelled grapes that become even more concentrated on the vine) - the soul of the great Tokaji sweet wines - means that in some vintages three to four passages (or tries) are made through the vineyards to collect these precious berries. The botrytis concentrates all that is created in the grape, its essence and value: alongside the sugar is acidity, tannins and aroma compounds, setting the foundation for naturally sweet wines.

At the wine tasting this Sunday: Disznókő and Patrícius late harvest and Aszú wines.
Just look at this wine flight for a treat!

Patricius Tokaji Late Harvest Katinka 2008

Disznókő Tokaji Late Harvest 2011

Disznókő Tokaji Sweet Szamorodni 2011

Disznókő Tokaji Aszú 5 puttonyos 2007

Disznókő Tokaji Aszú 5 puttonyos 2006

Disznókő Tokaji Aszú 6 puttonyos 2002

Disznókő Tokaji Aszú 6 puttonyos 1993

This is a rare treat indeed. If you'd like to particpate, please write us an email to tokajhegyaljapiac@gmail with "wine course” as subject. Translation into English available if anyone needs it!
Participation: 2000.- HUF, payable at the wine tasting

Chocolate doping - with a feast of homemade cakes!

Spring is here - the air is warmer, the sun energising and the birds are singing! Hurray!

Come to celebrate with us at the market Sunday, 9th March - all things sweet will be in focus.

A plethora of chocolate and homemade cakes: handmade chocolates and sweets, chocolate cakes, hot chocolate, chocolate fountain and duck liver cream soup with chocolate! Even the history of the local Szerencs chocolate factory in chocolate. I'm intrigued!

Tokaj-Hegyalja Market dates in 2014!

Here are the dates for 2014...

Tokaj-Hegyalja Market Days in 2014

February 9th Furmint February and Masked Ball
March 9th Chocolate doping
April 13th Easter ham parade
May 11th Design on the table
June 8th Grape flower festival
July 13th Picnic with apricots
August 10th Fröccs & cordial fest
September 14th Tokaj grapes!
October 12th Must & quince delights
November 9th Bags and more bags
December 14th Christmas Fair

The market in the amazing Disznókő winery

With the weather forecast predicting heavy rains, the Disznókő management kindly agreed to allow the market to be held in the building - like last year, only then it was the cold staring us in the face!

The building, designed by organic architect, Dézső Ekler, is inspired by the traditional Tokaj cellars that nestle into the hillsides, acting as treasury for the precious Tokaji wines.

Music from our favourites, Agyagbanda - Can you spot the spring onion?

And first timers from the local Tarcal nursery school who helped chase away winter...

Tasting Disznókő wines in situ with boutique manager, Gabriella, and Attila who has been working here for many years. The wine boutique will open in spring.

And here are a couple of photos from the special Sárga Borház menu...

And another new chocolatier from the neighbouring town of Szerencs, a place renowned for its magic with the cocoa bean. The detail and care is incredible:

So, the wether held fair, allowing us to enjoy a few rays of early sunshine.
The next market, 9th March, will be "Chocolate Doping"...

If it's February, it must be Furmint - 2

What a great tasting László provided again - wth winemakers Stéphanie Berecz (Tokaj Kikelet), László Szilágyi (Gizella Pince) and László Mészáros (Disznókő). We're so lucky to have them throw light on their wines, vineyards and, of course, their philosophy. An exploration of the terroirs from Tállya (with László's own wine debuting at the market - Kaláka Pince!) to down to Tarcal and back up to Sárospatak - almost the ends of the wine region.

February Furmint at the Tokaj-Hegyalja Market

It was a packed house. And international too! French, Polish British - and Hungarian scholars who live in Durham!
Thank you László - we look forward to the next one!

 

More photos on our Facebook page

Furmint February and Masked Ball

Hurray indeed! First market of 2014 is this Sunday - Furmint February and Masked Ball - mask-making with Lili, music of course, Disznókő tours, and new artisans joining us. Time to stock up the cupboards Mother Hubbard!

 

Not many places left for the tasting, so be quick if you'd like to come and taste wines from some of the (many) Furmint masters here in the Tokaj Wine Region.

 

See you on Sunday at the market!

 

Álarcosbál és Furmint Február a piacon!

Hurrá, újra piaclázban égünk. Kiürült az éléskamránk, sajtok, sonkák, lekvárok, levek és sütemények képe lebeg előttünk és már össze is fut a nyál a szánkban. Kosarakat elővenni, vigyázz, kész, tűz és raaaaaaaaaaajt!

Találkozunk vasárnap a piacon!