Ruin Bars are a distinctive aspect of Budapest’s nightlife, originating in the early 2000s as makeshift bars set in abandoned buildings. Today, these unique venues are largely concentrated in the Jewish Quarter of the city.
Recently, Wines of Hungary collaborated with Georgie Fenn to host a pop-up ruin bar experience featuring Hungarian wines, complemented by a goulash lunch at her family farm in Kings Cliffe, near Peterborough. Attendees traveled from London along with local guests to explore the diversity of Hungarian wines in a picturesque countryside setting.
The tasting commenced with Sauska sparkling wine, a delightful blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Furmint. Here are notes from the wines sampled during the event:
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Sauska Furmint 2024, Tokaj: This wine displayed lovely freshness, a bright texture, and a mineral character with a wet stone edge.
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Tokaj Harmónia Szőlőbirtok Szimfonia Furmint 2023, Tokaji: Fermented in new Hungarian oak, this Furmint offered a spicy oak twist alongside its pure lemony fruit.
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Sipos Olaszrizling 2023, Badacsony: Fresh and lively, this wine featured savory spicy notes and a linear profile, more complex than typical Olaszrizling, hinting at some oak influence.
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St Andrea Örökké Egri Csillag Superior 2024, Eger: Fruity and well-balanced, it showcased mineral-laced citrus flavors with a focused purity.
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Tornai Harslevelü 2022, Somló: A complex volcanic white with a linear quality, rich in apricot and peach, finishing with a juicy mineral note.
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Tűzkő Birtok Grüner Veltliner 2024, Pannon: Owned by Antinori and Mazzei, this wine was bright and fresh with clear lemony fruit.
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Pannonhalmi Főapátság Pinot Noir 2023: A crowd favorite for its sweet strawberry and cherry notes, finishing with a hint of spice.
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Villa Völgy Oczella Egri Bikavér Superior 2021: Paired wonderfully with goulash, this bright red wine featured savory notes and lush cherry fruit.
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Tűzkő Birtok Kékfrankos 2021, Szekszard: This savory wine was linear, showcasing bright red cherry and berry fruit.
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Esterházy Kúria Kékfrankos 2020, Sopron: Juicy and lively, this wine highlighted focused berry fruits with excellent balance.
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Tokaj Excellence Late Harvest 2018, Tokaj: Harvested late without botrytis, this off-dry wine displayed bright juiciness with grapey richness.
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Tokaj Excellence Szamarodni 2018, Tokaj: Featuring a blend of botrytis-affected and fresh berries, this wine showcased nice depth with hints of apricot and spice.
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Oremus Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos 2017, Tokaji: A complex wine with notes of apricot and marmalade balanced by nice acidity.
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Mad Moser x Grand Tokaj Tokaji Aszu 6 Puttonyos 2013, Tokaji: This wine was rich in apricot and spice, with a savory twist and excellent concentration.
This event not only highlighted the variety and quality of Hungarian wines but also provided an intimate and educational experience for attendees.