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10 useful tips before organising an unforgettable Tokaj wine tour

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Ripka Gergely

    Before you set off on a wine tour, there are a few things you should consider when planning your programme. The choice of vehicle is essential (Tokaj is about 2-2.5 hours from Budapest, although there is also an inter city train scheduled every hour, which takes the same time to reach Szerencs). A day may seem like a long time, but how much can the average person take in about Tokaj, wine and information all at once? Should you visit a small or a large winery? What should you never ask when you visit a cellar? Now we’ll clear up any doubts you may have about cellar tours.
    Before you set off on a wine tour, there are a few things you should consider when planning your programme. The choice of vehicle is essential (Tokaj is about 2-2.5 hours from Budapest, although there is also an inter city train scheduled every hour, which takes the same time to reach Szerencs). A day may seem like a long time, but how much can the average person take in about Tokaj, wine and information all at once? Should you visit a small or a large winery? What should you never ask when you visit a cellar? Now we’ll clear up any doubts you may have about cellar tours.

    1. Travel

    It is recommended to arrive by car or motorbike, especially if you would like to visit  more  than  one  town.  Public  transport  in  the  Hegyalja  is  problematic  (due  to  hectic timetables). Bicycle rental is available in several places with various drop-off points, but you should check locally for the latest information at www.tokaj.hu or the Tourinform Offices.

    2. Date

    Just to be sure, always agree with the winery in advance the time of the visit, the number  of  people,  other  requirements  (tasting  conditions,  etc.);  this  is  especially  important for  smaller  wineries  where  there  is  no  staff  to  receive  guests  (they  are  working  in  the meantime, etc.).

    Think ahead!

    There are wineries, where it is worth booking weeks in advance, as the weekends may be full.

    4. Do not be late, if possible! Arrive on time, you may not be the only visitors that day.

    5. Actual address

    Often the processing and tasting facilities are not in the same place (e.g. “Tokaj Hétszőlő” [Tokaj Seven Grapes), so it is also recommended to check it.

    6. Less is sometimes more

    It is not worth scheduling much more than 2 cellars in a day: most vintners are very good hosts, and especially if you include a tour of the vineyards and cellars (recommended), time flies. If possible, organise a visit to Tokaj over several days.

    7. Dead times

    A short break (with lots of water), lunch, sightseeing is definitely worth including between two cellars.

    8. About the climate in the cellars

    Put a cardigan in your bag, especially if you are also visiting the cellar (13-14 degrees). Do not touch the mould on the cellar (it does not touch us either). Do not enter the cellar with food or directly after smoking. (Do not touch or knock on the barrels or tools, although this is no longer such a strict matter.)

    9. You can and should ask

    There is no wrong question. No one is born an expert. Feel free to ask. Every vintner will have (perhaps even more than long enough) answers.

    10. Wine creates company

    Building a long-term relationship of trust with a vintner is a win-win relationship. It is worth striving for.

    BONUS: Big companies v.s. family cellars

    If time allows, visit a small cellar and then a larger one: In the Hegyalja, there are plenty of options of both of them.

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