Mád village harvest festival is interwoven with high quality programmes to create this exceptional event which celebrates the noble Furmint grape. One of the six permitted grape varieties in the Tokaj appelation, Furmint is increasingly catching the attention of the wider wine world. And Mád, home to many of the first highly-acclaimed dry Furmints, is a natural host for this weekend of celebration.
So, while the main street buzzes with life – visitors strolling, dancing, stopping to enjoy a glass of wine, a bite to eat or wonder at the lovingly crafted handmade products – the vintners’ courtyards are more similar to islands of tranquility where less mainstream music accompanies guests on their journey through (single-vineyard) wonders.
Highlights
– Furmint tasting – staged by Mád Circle (Mádi Kör) winemakers, many of whom are among the top Tokaj producers, for an exclusive Friday evening tasting at Royal Tokaji. A very popular event, so be sure to get tickets early not to miss out. Catering by the wonderful Anyukám mondta restaurant, consistently ranked among the top countryside establishments.
The wineries – Mád winemakers are perhaps the most established of the private winemakers, forging ahead with excellent wines. Visitors to the Mád Furmint Festival have the chance to explore the cellars, meet the winemakers and taste together.
The music – plenty of live music. The main stage is, as might be expected, more mainstream while winemakers host jazz, folk fusion, world, DJ’s with concerts throughout the day. Perhaps the biggest problem is choosing where to go and who to see…
Cuisine: Gusteau, one of the most exciting restaurants in the Tokaj wine region is open “at home” and in the “Furmint Courtyard” too. Dishes from throughout the Tokaj wine region and the Zemplén hills as well as the wider world – fusion cuisine. Even the ladies of the village come out with their cakes – truly homemade and certainly delicious. So everything from snacks to full meals.
“Herbs and gardens” – as well as the local herbal expert who invites guests to share a cup of tea in his herb garden, permaculture and gastro expert creates exciting dishes.
Culture vultures – walk with an architect, exhibitions in many of the wineries (art, photography, sculpture), literary events and more
Local artisans – line “Market Street”, the main road which is closed to traffic for festivalgoers to wander at leisure. Many of the best local producers along with guests from further afield bring their artisan cheeses, cured meats, Tokaj wine vinegars, jams, cordials and specialty honeys as well as the whole range of handcrafts.
Bike time – and walks through the vineyards (guided too)
Family friendly (extremely) – fun events for children, so adults can enjoy themselves to the full. Performances, handcrafts and goat farm visits :)
Translation below the programme
Friday 4th September
Aszú House
Virtual walk in the world of Furmint. Guided tours 2 pm, 4 pm
20.45 Wine and friends – watch Hungary-Romania football match
Demetervin
16.30 Demetervin Art Collection: Jakab Forster’s exhibition entitled “MÁD”
Opened by Ervin Demeter, County MP for BAZ. Exhibition viewing from 16.30 to 18.00
Első Mádi Borház
8.00-23.00 Bistro choice and Mád Circle wines tasting, on sale
Furmint Promenade
16.00-23.00 Artisans, wines, cuisine and the fun of the fair
Furmint Stage
17.00 Ciráda – folk concert
20.00 Abrakaszabra – Concert with Hungarian rock legends LGT Tamás Somló, János Karácsony, János Solti, Gábor Biga Heincz
22.00 Los Cusinos concert
Furmint Square
11.00-20.00 Presentation of unusual vehicles
Gusteau Restaurant
10.00-22.00 Chef Gábor Horváth shares his Furmint masterpieces
Holdvölgy
16.00-19.00 Open cellar, 16.00-20-00 open courtyard
Hotel Botrytis
13.00 Supervised children’s play area
Leskó Herb garden / Napudvar guesthouse
16-18.00 Guided garden tour, tea and wine tastings
Education centre
21.00 House party with Furmint til dawn
Perzce Square
16-20.00 Vineyard adventures with Segway, diesel and electric jeep
Reformed cellar and courtyard
16-22.00 Wine tastings with tasty bites
Reformed church
16-22.00 Cum grano sales – “With a pince of salt” – the cuisine of ruling prince Rákóczi and his wife Zsuzsanna Lórántfy – book presentation
Royal Tokaji
17.30 Mád Circle tasting, dinner by Anyukám mondta. Entry by ticket only, 8000 HUF, email madikor3909@gmail.com
Sichermann House
Tokaj in pictures – exhibition
Takács Winery
17-22.00 Open cellar
Tokaj Classic Winery
16-23.00 Open cellar with tastings, cheeses
Tokaj Crown Estates courtyard
16-23.00 Wine and cuisine, games for little and large, music
Tokaj Women and Wine
14-22.00 Taste the wines of Tokaj Women and Wine
And now for Saturday 5th! (translation below coming soon :))
