Half of the population was wallowing in the mud at Balaton Sound, while festivalgoers at VinCE Balaton in Füred were drowning their sorrows over the deplorable weather in wine. Both Kékszalag and VinCE Balaton started out a bit chilly, but on Saturday the sun came out as the last ship crossed the finish line. This is how Tagore sétány in Füred partied over the weekend.
Ships in the storm
Thursday morning saw the Kékszalag (Blue Ribbon) Regatta kick off from the Füred marina. Thanks to favourable winds Fifty-fifty managed to beat the time record of the 46-year-old race by more than three and a half hours: it sailed through the finish line on the first day with 7 hours 13 minutes and 57 seconds. However, ships stranded in the open water overnight were really hard hit by the massive storm: several ships were tipped over, and the Water Rescue Services were carrying out rescue operations to help participants in distress until early Friday morning.
Meanwhile on the rain-soaked shore
As the side event of Kékszalag, VinCE Balaton Festival was supposed to provide entertainment for those remaining on the shore. The mission was accomplished on Saturday, but on Thursday and Friday several programs were cancelled due to heavy rain. Participating wineries had no reason to complain about turnout, though: many braved the raging storm and huddled under umbrellas to come out for a tasting. There was a wide and versatile selection of products on offer, as almost all wine regions were represented. Bock, Csányi, Sauska, Tállya, Katona and AX&AX - to name but a few of the wineries present. Gastro exhibitors have also set up camp at the festival, albeit with a narrower assortment. Pest-based Sonkamester came with a food truck, and Stelázsi and Cake Shop also brought their goods.
At the Thursday evening gig of Pannonia Allstars Ska Orchestra attracted a numerous crowd despite the fact that it was raining cats and dogs. Whenever it stopped raining for a minute during the day, street musicians popped up immediately on Tagore.
With wine in the air
The guided wine tastings were the most unique feature of the festival. With the help of sommeliers, festivalgoers could sample thirty sorts of wine in one-hour sessions in the tasting tent. The popularity of the tastings was topped only by the sky lounge: adventurous wine lovers were hoisted up to a height of 20 metres with a glass of vintage in hand.
Hungarians, to sea!
The main attraction of VinCE Festival was without a doubt the wine-themed yacht excursion. We boarded a ship where rosés were served, and listened to the editor-in-chief of VinCE Magazine educate us about rosé wines from all over the world. The first glass soon put our ad hoc party in a relaxed mood, and as the boat was nearing the Tihany Peninsula, many ventured as far out as the front of the vessel.
Carla sparkling rosé, François rosé Champagne, the 2013 rosé of the Csobánci Wine Manufactory, the rosés of the Günzer Winery and the Fekete Wine Cellar in Szekszárd, Aragonese rosé and finally, the rosé of Mayer Siller in Paks. After going through all the items, we came to the realization that good rosés are not light drinks at all, especially if sampled on a boat, under the blazing sun.
