Over the past years The Budapest International Wine Festival has truly come of age and is now one of the most prestigious events of its kind in Hungary. Enjoy many popular events, including a Wine University, a wine auction, an arts festival and several live performances. Last year the festival attracted tens of thousands of visitors making it one of the largest wine festivals in the country. The International Wine Festival in Buda Castle Hill is an experience for everyone who wants to learn about the art of wine making, sample some of the best Hungarian wines, meet notable wine makers and enjoy Hungarian gastronomy and folk music all in a breathtaking setting.
In 2013 the 22nd Budapest International Wine Festival will be held from September 11th to 15th.
2012 Event schedule:
Gala Evening
Date: September 7, 2012
Venue: MOM Cultural Center (Csörsz utca 18, Buda, District 12)
In 2012, the opening concert celebrates the 21st anniversary of the Buda Castle Wine Festival. On the program: the Hungarian HeartBeats.
Wine University
Date: September 10-11, 2012
Venue: Headquarters of the Hungarian Cultural Foundation, Szentháromság tér 6
Just like in previous years, the Wine University is the opening event at the Buda Castle Wine Festival. On Monday and Tuesday afternoon visitors can attend presentations on interesting topics from renowned experts. To ensure a thorough understanding of the day’s topics, presentations are followed by wine tasting on both days. Admission is HUF 4,000 per day.
Wine Festival – Wine Exhibition and Fair
Date: September 12-16, 2012
Venue: Terraces of the Buda Castle
This year’s Buda Castle Wine Festival showcases more than 200 wine cellars from 15 countries, along with almost 60 different cultural programs. The Wine Exhibition and Fair, where top Hungarian wine makers offer their best wines, takes place over the course of five days. In addition to domestic wines, many foreign vintages will also be exhibited thanks to renowned wine-traders, as well as the guest wine-region. Award winning wine-makers will be on-hand to answer visitor’s questions. Great wines should be accompanied by great food and this year’s festival has a lot to offer. Grilled and cauldron-cooked dishes, crispy strudels, Hungarian twister, corn cake with plum jam, as well as sandwiches, sheep’s and goat’s-milk and cow cheeses are just some of the large selection of delicacies that will be offered at the festival. The guest of honor in 2012 will be Croatia.
On stage musical events include: jazz performances by the Budapest Bossanova Quintet. The Ghymes, the Csík Orchestra and Etnofon will also be performing. Be sure to attend the folk music and folk dance gala. The closing chords of the Wine Festival will be provided by virtuosos of Salsa music, the Ricardo Salsa Club.
Harvest Parade
Date: September 15, 2012 - 1 pm
Venue: Castle Hill
The procession consists of some 800 people, including members of various wine orders and the guest region, associations of wine lovers, as well as folk dance groups representing the Hungarian wine regions.
Route: Szentháromság tér - Táncsics Mihály utca – Bécsi Kapu tér – Kapisztrán tér – Országház utca – Tárnok utca – Dísz tér – Szent György utca – Koldus kapu – Hunyadi udvar – Festival Stage
Charity Wine Auction
Date: September 20, 2012
At the charity wine auction and gala dinner, bidders can taste the wines under the hammer. Quality wines from Hungarian wine-makers will be auctioned off, with all proceedings going to the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service.
For 20 years, the goal of the organizers of the festival, the Hungarian Viti- and Viniculture Public Benefit Company (Magyar Szőlő- és Borkultúra Nonprofit Kft.), has been to introduce the very best of Hungarian and noble wines from around the world and to bring together wine-growers and wine enthusiast for an unforgettable experience.
Festival hours:
September 12 & 13, Wednesday & Thursday: 2 pm to 11 pm
September 14, Friday: noon to 11 pm
September 15 & 16, Saturday & Sunday: 10 am to 11 pm
Admission:
Day pass: HUF 2,700 (includes one tasting glass and admission to the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum)
Festival pass: HUF 7,500
Detailed and continuously updated information is available on the website of the Budapest International Wine Festival.
Photos courtesy of winefestival.hu
