Hungarian drink culture has been sparkling for years, we are sipping more and more bubbles from semi-sparkling wines and prosecco to Hungarian sparkling wines, while champagnes are also in demand. Although a number of restaurants and bars include champagne in what they offer, this is the first event – unlike the professional tasting events or grandiose dinners – that offers a chance to become acquainted with a wide range of PDO French champagnes at an informal but exceptionally stylish brunch.

The customary quality and high standard of VinCE events are presented in a more innovative environment this time round, the beautiful historic building and the gastronomic offerings of the Downtown Market provide a fitting environment for presenting champagne.

At the beginning of the Christmas season, the aim of the VinCE Champagne in Hold utca event is to welcome everyone who feels like joining an unconventional gastro party from 9 am. You can try opening a bottle with a sabre, while filled glasses can be accompanied by oysters, caviar or various smørrebrøds, seasoned snails or even duck sausage.

Twelve restaurants will welcome visitors, while Kistücsök from Balatonszemes and Arany Kaviár are coming for the day. The most popular places in the market will be open, including Stand25 Bisztró of Michelin star winner Tamás Széll and Szabina Szulló, both shops (Séf utcája and Buja Disznóék) of Lajos Bíró, one of the greatest chefs, Lakatos Műhely of Márk Lakatos, and we can even clink glasses with Győző Szabó at Steamboo! Szása Nyíri, an expert in Russian fine dining and folk cuisine, will be preparing some astonishing meals at Moszkva Tér and Haxen Market, Vörös Homár, Kandalló Market, Gusto Delicate Budapest and the newly opened Société.demo will also be preparing something special for the occasion.

Each restaurant will represent one champagne house each, and their dishes are inspired by the type of champagne on offer. The Champagne-korzó awaits visitors in the community market on the ground floor; this will be the place for tasting drinks offered by the champagne stalls.

The VinCE team will also provide an opportunity for visitors to attend presentations during the day. There will be two free VinCE-CEWI courses in the programme: What good is dosage? and the Secrets of grape varieties to be held in the community area.

At the Arany Kaviár stall located on the ground floor it is not only champagne that will be offered but also caviar, for example sturgeon caviar from Siberia and Imperial caviar with oyster and salmon roe. Besides tasting, there will be an opportunity to learn how to use a sabre from Guinness record holder Gergely Borsos.

The sparkling atmosphere will be inspired by music, while guitar duo Max&Kata and Swing á la Django will entertain the public. The venue will be decorated to reflect the chic occasion, but maintaining the market atmosphere so we could even feel as if we were in Paris or Lyon, but on 26 November one of the most beautiful market halls in Budapest will be bathed in champagne.

Entry tickets are available at champagneaholdon.eventbrite.com, or at the venue, with payment in cash or by credit card, where visitors can start the day with a glass of MUMM served free of charge. The price of the entry ticket (HUF 3990) contains not only the first glass of champagne but also participation in the programme. Throughout the event you can pay for your “bubbles” at the stalls and in the restaurants in cash.

Either for breakfast or for lunch, it is definitely worth arriving at the Downtown Market by the afternoon because this Sunday is expected to be an exceptional event for both beginner and advanced gourmets. The following saying is attributed to the classic French icon Coco Chanel: “I only drink Champagne on two occasions, when I am in love and when I am not.” This is a good enough reason to drink any day, responsibly and in moderation of course, for which VinCE Champagne in Hold utca is the perfect occasion.

Selection of champagnes at the Downtown Market

MUMM, Dom Pérignon, Duval Leroy, Gosset, Paul Bara, Pol Roger, Bollinger, Drappier, Louis Roederer, Taittinger, Billecart-Salmon, Moët&Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Ruinart, Krug, Piper-Heidsieck, Laurent-Perrier, Charles Heidsieck

What does champagne mean?

Champagne may only be produced in the wine region of Champagne, France; it has been protected since 1936, but its history stretches back much further. Champagne houses have been producing their cuvée without a specified vintage for centuries, since these are created by blending various vintages, grapes and wines of sub-regions.

However, small quantities of vintage champagne are produced from crops of excellent harvests, typically with a longer maturation period. Three types of grape - Pinot noir, Chardonnay and Pinot meunier - are used with a so-called “méthod traditionnelle”.

Information about the VinCE Champagne in Hold utca event is available at: champagneaholdon.eventbrite.com
Venue: Belvárosi Piac (Downtown Market)
Address: 1054 Budapest, Hold utca 13.