They opened up a treasure trove that we practically didn't even know existed. The idea was to experience top wines, high quality food and organisation all at the same time. What really happened in Helemba?
Ildikó Bauer, one of the creators of the 3 Rivers Valley idea, did not organise and invent the well-known wine tasting with many good wine makers and delicious snacks, but revealed the values of the formerly annexed Hungarian territories. The location of the event was not negligible either, which I will tell you more about later, but I can tell you that next to Esztergom and Párkány, the Világi Winery in Helemba is a top-class show winery that we rarely see in the country. But this place is open all year round for everyone.
Ideas, inspiration for the profession
There are 6 wine regions in Slovakia and within them the idea is also called wine districts. As difficult as it is to define, it is also difficult to find a reason for them to join forces. Here, however, the winemakers from the 3 rivers Garam, Duna and Ipoly came together around the simplest possible common ground, which was nothing other than their top quality products and their expertise. It was one of the first events that will only be seen and visited more often from now on. The father and father of the profession were there, and it was worth being inspired and asking questions, as everyone here was happy to talk about their most secret technology, their sales rates and their market position, which let's face it is quite rare in the hospitality industry.
Why is it worth joining forces in wine and gastronomy?
They work together with a very different approach and mindset. The winemakers don't push each other back, they don't see each other as competitors, but as a driving force. Those who individually have large audiences and fan bases are now not sharing all that, but multiplying their audiences. The camp that knows them will attend all the tastings of this kind to taste their well-known wines and, in the process, taste the wines of the “neighbouring valley”. The wine-loving public, when they find better wine, don't change their minds and buy more wine - that's the experience.
Let's see who are the 10 winemakers we are talking about:
- Bott Frigyes - Muzsla
- Bóna Winery - Bátorkeszi
- Château Béla - Béla municipality
- Château Rúbaň - Fűr
- Csernus Winery - Ipolynyék
- Geönczeöl Cellar - Garamkövesd
- Kasnyik Winery - Kürt
- Mátyás Family Winery -Kisújfalu
- Strekov 1075 - Kürt
- World Winery - Helemba
What makes a wine and gastronomy event different from the usual?
Free exchange of professional experience. There was no need to be shy or selective in what they said, everyone was happy to share their decades of experience. It's worth visiting and tasting as a layman, but the 3 Rivers Valley events can be just as important a meeting point for the profession. We couldn't leave the food out either, as the high quality and attention at any point in the events cannot be compromised," the host admitted. Here, everything from luxury sweets to premium mango pâté, pork cheese and cheese variations were on offer. The common thread here was also home-made, premium quality.
Who were the people behind the tables?
- Imre Bindics' falatkas and Kukkonia products, Biopack Ekofarm, Georgina Farm, Green Plantation, Pemak and Zax.
Unusual location
The head winemaker is a young man from the Balaton Highlands, who finds it an exciting challenge to make wines from this region. He was attracted here by the excellent conditions, having studied his craft in many parts of the world, so both the owner and the winemakers rely on his decisions, which are sometimes unusual and risky.
Nevertheless, the wines were excellent and he was happy to share his professional secrets with anyone. The estate is dotted with freshly planted vineyards, the views are priceless, and all the high-tech and traditional winemaking tools that many of us have only read about.#
