Flo Mochet showcases wines and spins tunes to bring la vie en rose to Budapest

Sunshine and groovy vibes await tonight at PULP Open Air party at City Park. Talented DJs OIEE, Daniel Moritz and Pulp provide the house music for this free event to kick off the weekend. Organiser Flo is not only a DJ, however – he also operates a new French wine outlet with a gorgeous view over the Danube.

The idea of Le Troquet, Bistrot Français was dreamed up by three oenophile friends, who teamed up in Budapest with the mission of bringing French wine to the Hungarian capital.

“We researched the European market, saw that Budapest had both the opportunities and the lifestyle we wanted, so we decided to start the project here," says Flo.


And it seems to have worked...

Flo came to Budapest having worked at a Prague-based French wine shop, before joining his compatriot Gautier and Hungarian colleague, Máté. Within six months, they had set up Le Troquet, aiming to promote the wine culture of France in Budapest.


But, as its full name suggests, the venture is not merely about wine. Bistrot Français also stands for top-quality French gastronomy. While the ingredients are sourced from France, they simply serve what feels good for Magyar tastes.

Housed at the venerable French Institute on the Buda side, Le Troquet should help create a French corner for expats and Hungarians to hang out and enjoy la vie en rose on the terrace. The closest opportunity to sample their wines will be the next La Guinguette du Troquet and French garden party at Pavilon Kert on 18 June.


But, that’s not all. You’ll have another chance to sample more labels at Le Troquet’s Grand Opening Weekend on 23-26 June. There will be music, dancing, French vibes – and lots of wine, of course.

“Our goal is to showcase what authentic, good French products can be.”

At the moment, they serve a lunchtime daily menu of two dishes, while in the morning, you can find croissants, pains au chocolate, pains au raisins and baguettes. An upcoming selection will include mixed cheese platters, charcuterie and sausages, ideal pairings with a glass or two.

Wine itself is also in the spotlight, of course:

“At Le Troquet, we have bottles you can’t find anywhere else in Hungary. The point is to provide a new alternative.”

Flo and the team don’t say that French is better than Hungarian – in fact, they sell Tokaji wine as well. They just want to represent their own viticulture as authentically as possible.

“I’m from France. I like it in a French way. I want people to experience our art de vivre when they come here.”

Wine tasting events are also planned for the future, to involve the customer in the process of selecting what to have on the shelves for the next season. Flo studied in Dijon, the capital of the Burgundy wine region, but he travels around France to keep up-to-date with the latest trends. A successful tasting can determine the market for the next ten years.

“I often visit vineyards in Bordeaux to sample and learn more about this profession.”

So, la vie an rose seems to be working for Flo and Le Troquet. They also enjoy the support of the French Chamber of Commerce and the French Ambassador, which speaks for itself when it comes to quality and authenticity.

“Good quality must be recognised by the customer at the end. That’s the best indicator.”