The Botaniq Hotel in Tura, Hungary, has earned the prestigious Krug Ambassadorship, becoming the first ambassador of the Krug brand in Central and Eastern Europe. Additionally, Hungary marks the first country in this region to host the iconic Champagne house’s Krug Single Ingredient Program during a splendid three-day event.
The Krug global program currently counts 185 members across different countries worldwide. The castle Botaniq in Tura joined this elite circle on June 15th in an exclusive celebration.
This year’s key ingredient paired with the renowned champagne brand in Krug ambassador kitchens globally was the “common” lemon. Romain Cappelaere, representing Maison Krug, and Ted Lelekas, regional brand ambassador for Moët Hennessy, led the pairing of various courses. Through a partnership with Moët Hennessy, Botaniq offers a unique selection of individual Krug champagnes, granting exclusive access to their entire product portfolio. Guests at this boutique hotel can relish the finest champagnes in the world within the enchanting setting of a castle, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. The hotel’s restaurant, Clarisse, aspiring for a Michelin star, even features the flagship Krug Grande Cuvée. Additionally, true enthusiasts visiting the hotel can opt for a stay in the special Krug suite, inspired by the identity and philosophy of this iconic Champagne house.
The dream of Joseph Krug, the founder of Maison Krug in 1843, was to create the most noble Champagne every year, regardless of the harvest. Joseph Krug believed that the essence of Champagne was joy, hence establishing an entirely new category for this beverage. Consequently, the brand’s portfolio contains no hierarchy, as all wines express perfection in their own way.
The presentation of the various Krug champagnes during the grand lunch was also enriched by executive sommelier BDPST Group Tamás Langó, who recently received the Michelin Guide Sommelier Award 2022 for his work at Botaniq Hotel. “Krug is a global brand built on tradition, and achieving the Krug Ambassador title means their belief that we share the same values and principles,” he commented on the occasion.
“A Krug Ambassador is a network of partners embodying the soul of the Krug brand, extending the champagne house’s presence in local markets. The motto of these ambassadors is: more about faces than places, signifying that we’re not just seeking partners who share our vision for excellence but also brand enthusiasts who pour their hearts into this collaboration. The story of Botaniq Hotel began with a Krug lover who inspired the entire team to follow his idea, and after two years, we are happy to welcome Botaniq into our Krug family,” explains Nóra Szegedi, Moët Hennessy brand manager for Central Europe.
The tradition of the international Single Ingredient event began in 2015. Each year, Maison Krug selects an ingredient easily accessible anywhere globally, which, when added to a dish, has the ability to transform and highlight its flavors. It is also a symbol of the unique style of various chefs and countries. Chefs should create dishes inspired by this ingredient, representing their country’s culture while achieving perfect harmony with Champagne Krug Grande Cuvée and Krug Rosé.
For this event, György Szűcs, the head chef of the Botaniq Hotel, and Richárd Farkas, the creative chef of BDPST Group, designed a menu based on Hungarian tradition. Guests had the chance to taste, among other dishes, trout with black lemon and sorrel. This recipe was also included in this year’s exclusive book “Krug’s The Zest is Yet to Come,” alongside recipes from 112 chefs across 25 countries, showcasing the diversity of tastes, textures, and energy of the simple ingredient, the lemon. The dishes presented at the Krug x Lemon event will be available for guests to taste at the Clarisse restaurant along with a unique selection of Krug champagnes.
