Hungary 2010
(Magyarország)

 

  Fédération Internationale des
  Confréries Bachiques (FICB)
    (International Federation of Wine Brotherhoods)

46th International World Congress, Budapest, Hungary

Host: Federation of the Hungarian Wine Brotherhoods

The program of the congress was held with numerous relevant local events which gave us a chance to witness some of the 22 historical wine regions and to experience a rich tourism program as well.

The Hungarian Wine Brotherhoods are mainly connected to certain wine regions. Their aim is to make people acquainted with the local wines and the local winemakers by supporting their wine marketing and promotion. For this purpose several methods were used such as organizing processions in full regalia, wine tastings, wine presentations and attending at wine festivals to popularize the Hungarian wines.

One of the scenes of the FICB Congress was Pécs - the European Capital of Culture in 2010. Two titled wine regions in the region – Villány and Szekszárd – were also visited. Guests were familiarized with Esztergom where Cardinal Péter Erdő – the Primate of Hungary, the Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest and the President of the Council of Episcopal Conferences of Europe – currently serves. During the 4-day-program we had the chance to visit the main landmarks of Budapest, the Hungarian capital. The Extension Program covered two additional world famous wine regions – Eger and Tokaj.

Click the circles for more information on each location.

Slide Show


Full size pics are at SnapFish or Flickr. Click above.

British Airways Boeing 747-400 Dulles IAP to London Heathrow (Club World – Upper Deck).

 Nancy prepares for the FICB Congress aboard British Airways Club World, Washington to London.

Our flight progresses across the Atlantic -- on time.

Nancy & Russ with Joe & Pat Alt our first night in Budapest at the Four Seasons.

Budapest's Chain Bridge over the Danube, from our hotel room.

A cloudy, chilly day in Budapest to start.

Downtown Budapest street scene.

The Four Seasons Hotel, Budapest.

Nancy & Joe Alt preparing for a bit of sightseeing.

Russ & Nancy warming up for the week ahead.

St. Matthias Church in the Castle area of Budapest. Amazing restoration.

Train that takes you to the Castle District.

The beginning of the American delegation at dinner in Budapest.

Impromptu wine tasting in Joe & Pat's room.

Registration for the Congress -- Sparkling wine, of course.

The Hungarian Parliament Building.

Grand staircase in the Hungarian Parliament.

Dome of the Hungarian Parliament.

Hungarian Crown Jewels.

Chamber of the unicameral Hungarian Legislature.

Nancy with Linda McClerrey, wife of the KOV Grand Commander.

Nancy with Dr. Pal Schmitt, Speaker of the Hungarian Parliament and Vice President of the European Union.  (His daughter is a Long & Foster Real Estate Agent in Bethesda, Maryland.)

Russ & Nancy at the dinner aboard the Danube Riverboat, Europa -- Dinner cruise up the Danube!

Nancy with the Swiss delegates at the "Wines of the World" exhibit aboard Boat Europa.

Some of the American delegates at dinner.-- Lake Tahoe Chapter (Peter & Stephanie Bosco) and Nation's Capital Chapter (David Barber & Joe Alt).

Beautiful Chain Bridge on our walk back to the hotel.

Peter Bosco (Lake Tahoe), Joe Alt, & Russ "in uniform" in Esztergom, Hungary.

U.S. Delegation with the Esztergom Wine Princess.

Russ with Swiss Delegates.

Russ with the Wine Princess in Esztergom.

Nancy & Russ at the Gala Dinner at the Hotel Sofitel in Budapest.

The Hungarian Castle in Buda.

Nancy samples the rosé in Kecskemét. Wish they were sold in the U.S.

Release of the pink balloons in the town square.

Nancy & Russ sample wine from the town fountain in Szekszárd. (White wine on one side, red on the other)

Nancy & Russ at Bondri Cellar near Szekszárd.

Russ & Anthony Ramdass with U.K. Delegates in Pécs.

U.S. Delegation ready to march through the town of Pécs.

Russ & KOV Grand Commander Terry McCleerey with Mr. Peter Biro, Hungarian Representative to the FICB.

Pécs Wine Princess.

Walter Rachele & Patricia Valas in Pécs.

Nancy & Pat Alt & member of the Wine Brotherhood of the Hungarian Ladies lunch in Hotel Palatinus in Pécs.

Terry McCleerey & Russ in Villány hosted by the Custodes Vinorum Wine Brotherhood.

New highway between Pécs and Budapest. I need my SL500 on this road – or better yet a NEW one!

Russ with Pat Alt & Nancy at the Kogart House in Budapest for lunch.

The team that put on this fabulous Congress in Hungary ű being honored in Kogart House in Budapest.

Russ & Nancy György Villa in Budafok – dinner in the cellar.

Beautifully lit bottles in the cellar.

Nancy & Russ at wine tasting in Tokaj.

Russ with Carl Brandhorst, Mike Wassenberg, & Mary Anne Wassenberg at the intonization at the Rákóczi Cellar in Tokaj.

Intonization ceremony in Tokaj for the Rex Vinorum de Tokaj.

Russ & Carl Brandhorst with Anne Verselli, food and wine educator from San Francisco.

Nancy & Russ after Russ' intonization into the Tokaj Brotherhood.

Pat Alt & Nancy at the reception at the Hotel Andrássy in Tarcal.

Terry & Linda McCleerey in Tarcal.

Leaving the Hotel Andrássy in Tarcal. Its was beautiful.

The Eger Cathedral for an organ concert.

Eger City Hall.

Statue of Dobó István in Eger – hero of the eventual (after 150 years) defeat of the Ottoman Turks.

David Barber after intonization in the Wine Brotherhood of the Eger Bull's Blood.

Nancy with Peter Biro, Hungarian Representative to FICB.

Dr. Pasquale Pingitore (Chancellery Chapter) with members of the István Nádor Wine Brotherhood at the intonization.

Cellar at Thummerer Winery in Noszvaj.

Final dinner at the Trummerer Winery marking the end of the Congress and extensions.

British Airways Boeing 777-200 London Heathrow to Dulles IAP (Club World).

Headed home across the Atlantic.

The 47th FICB International Congress will be in Porto, Portugal in 2012

Flags used on this web page are from 3dFlags.com

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