22 November 2021 / Dániel Ercsey
Eleven Vinotéka & Bár on Jókai Square in Pécs received a VinCE nomination in the wine bar category this year - the only location outside Budapest to be nominated. The wine selection is a tribute to the Pannon Borbolt team, which is why we can always count on new additions from the wine shop and new wineries being included in the weekly changing selection. The wine shop has a rather excellent Central and Eastern European range, especially wines from Croatia, but they also have the greatest choice of Romanian, Montenegrin and Slovenian wines in Hungary. Their menu is built around seasonal ingredients, but that’s not the only reason to call in: it’s definitely a must-visit when in Pécs!
A wine bar in Sárvár? Yes! The Borista kóstolóműhely has been a reliable place for wine-loving tourists and residents of Sárvár for years. Its professional credibility is indisputable, since the wine bar is run by two well-known members of the Hungarian wine scene, although it’s rather a wine shop that organises tastings. However, I’m quite sure that with a bit of preparation, semi-spontaneous tastings could be organised here too, i.e. by prior arrangement, you could taste some wines you are interested in there. They are not open in the evening, and they also take their lunch hour pretty seriously; however, if you want to drink wine any time, you can definitely find the right bottle for the occasion here.
Walking around the centre of Tokaj, you quickly realise that unless you know the winemakers, you can’t actually taste any wine. Of course, there are wineries which are open relatively continuously, such as Hétszőlő, Hímesudvar and Paulay Borház. However, there is only one real wine bar, which is on the main street, Prés Winebar. They offer wines by the glass from wineries such as Zoltán Demeter and Erzsébet Pince from Tokaj and Mád-based Royal Tokaji and Szepsy Winery. They are open until late in the evening, so seek them out!
When in Szombathely, look out for Cuvée Borszaküzlet & Bár! Here you can find spacious rooms, a seasonal wine list and wine-themed events and tastings, thanks to the wine-loving owners who welcome visitors until late at night in the wine bar in the Uránia shopping centre. And while you are here, don’t forget that Vashegy, where you can taste some super Kékfrankos, is just a stone’s throw away.
In Szeged, I have just discovered that Borháló has just opened a new wine bar next to the wine shop. There’s an interior passageway between the two places. If you’d like to sit down for a while, then you can enjoy plates of cold cuts, cordials and coffee as well as the by-the-glass wines on offer. They also organise wine-related events, including wine-themed city walks and interesting themed wine tastings, which you can follow on the Borháló Szeged Facebook page.