I have done my fair share of wine tastings, but this was the best. It felt like the culmination of someone’s life work. The sum of their learning and experience being shared with storytelling flair, and a pride and passion in the wines they are sharing and presenting.
I knew nothing about Hungarian wines, so was keen to start our holiday by trying some, I was blown away by what I learned at Wine the Gap in Budapest.
The space itself has character and a relaxing place to sit and enjoy a wine and and chat.
Miki, a wine journalist, storyteller, and walking encyclopaedia and atlas of Hungarian terroir isn’t here to just pour wine, he grounds it and contextualises it - not delivering a rote learned tasting notes - but knows his stuff and engages you by being engaging.
You get information about geology, climate, wine history, winemaker knowledge - most of whom he knows personally and then, somewhere in the middle of the a sentence and a story, he casually pours something exceptional and on the evening rolls. You’ll also get some delicious snacks to try.
We started bright and aromatic with Csereszegi Fűszeres from Gál - you’re getting elderflower, citrus peel and soft spice. A grape that feels like Hungary’s answer to Gewürztraminer, but lighter on its feet, a balanced nose and palate that really makes you stand up and take notice - these are good wines.
From there, the Szent Márton Rosé carried that clean, mineral freshness — red berries, a little wild strawberry, perfect acidity keeping everything conversational, sunshine and food-friendly. This was the best Rosé I can remember having.
Tokaj made its appearance (as it must) with Apukám Bora Furmint - wines from Tokaj are religiously harvested and made. The structure of this wine with green apple, quince, volcanic salinity. The kind of wine shows Tokaj isn’t just about sweetness — the right about of dryness in the Furmint shows backbone and depth.
Then we moved onto reds.
Kadarka Classic from Pastor Garage in Szekszárd, a light, almost Pinot-like in colour but packed with spice: paprika, sour cherry, a little earth. Light tannin but memorable.
Followed by the Bikavér Reserve, a bigger, fuller red. Darker fruit flavours, bit of pepper, layered oak. Structured acidity and lift. By the end of this one I was sure I loved Hungarian wines.
And finally, the Szamorodni Édes 2014 from Tokaj-Tállya. Honeyed apricot, mild marmalade, botrytis richness — but not overly sweet or heavy. Sweetness balanced by a volcanic spine Tokaj that I learned Tokaj is famous for.
What made the night though wasn’t just the wines Miki decided to share with us, it was his generosity of sharing his knowledge. Miki pours like someone who wants you to understand what makes the wines in Hungary special and great, not just trying to flog a few bottles to gullible visitors.
You leave feeling like you’ve travelled some of the vineyard roads, stood among the vines, seen some insights into what makes these winemakers tick, and all from a humble little wine bar in the city of Budapest.
I am so grateful for the hospitality, the conversation, and the education. I am excited to share the wines we purchased and brought home with people I care about.
If you like wine, and like learning more about it and expanding your understanding of it and of Hungarian wines specifically, please book in for a tasting at Wine the Gap. It is not just a clever name, it’s a very clever host and a great experience.
We hielden van onze proeverij! Het was klein en uiterst perisonalble. We hebben wijnproeverijen gedaan in Spanje, Frankrijk en Napa en deze voelde specialer aan. Het voelde echt alsof we met vrienden zaten in plaats van een willekeurige tour. 10 / 10 , sterk aanbevelen.