7/28/2019 Romanian Wines Revision e

1/4

Romanian wines

Romania might not be your first pick as one of the majorwine producing regions of the world but what you are about to readmight surprise you. With a surface area of 190,000 hectares ofgrape plantations, Romania ranks as the fifth largest wine producerin Europe. Only Spain, France, Italy and Portugal out-produce thisEast European country. Romania has been producing wine andgrowing vines for over 2,500 years, and has had a following ofEuropean wine consumers for many years. But in a country with aturbulent history, which is still finding its feet as one of the newestdemocracies in the European Union, the path for Romanian wineproduction has not been smooth.

While under the rule of Nicolae Ceausescu, the Romanianwine industry was nationalized and a firm stronghold was placedon independent producers in favor of collective farms and

wineries. After the revolution of 1989 and the falling ofCeausescus reign, the country saw its economy along with thewine industry spiral downward after years of under-investment.Returning the many vineyards to their original owners was difficultas many had died or fled the country for safer lands. This resultedin a patchwork of tiny plots of land, many of which were semi-abandoned. This had a dramatic affect and almost resulted in thetotal collapse of the wine industry. But true to their resiliency, the

Romanians overcome many obstacles and after 20 years the wineindustry has regained its viability and is today prospering.

Romanias varied geography and climate make it a perfectland for quality wine production. With a myriad of mountainranges, plateaus, valleys and coastal breezes, several microclimatic

7/28/2019 Romanian Wines Revision e

2/4

regions cover the country. The primary wine producing regionsare Moldavia in the Northeast, which produces both red and whitewines. This is the largest producing region and renowned for theproduction of the Cotnari wines, sweet dessert wine similar to

Sauterne and Tokaj); the Muntenia and Oltenia regions in theSouthern part of the country, produce red and white wines; theBanat, Crisana and Maramures wine regions in the West areequally divided equally between white and red wine; theTransylvanian plateau, then central most part of the country,mainly produces white wine in the exquisite mountain ranges,panoramic beauty immortalized by Bram Stokers Dracula andfinally the Dobrudja plateau, in the South east bordering the Black

Sea and Bulgaria. This region is best known for producing whitewines but a few red wine producers also call this home.

As with most European countries, Romania has a widevariety of indigenous grape varietals along with western originvarietals (Vintis vinifera). The native white varietals most notablyare: Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Regala, Grasa de Cotnari andTamaiosa Romaneasca. In the native red varietals we findFeteasca Neagra, Negru Vartos, Babeasca Neagra and Cadarca.The Vintis vinifera varietal are comprised of Chardonnay,Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Italian Riesling and Muscat Ottonelfor the whites, and Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir forthe reds.

NB Liquor carries a very good selection of Romanian winesat great prices and quality:

Ferma Noua Merlot, 2008, $11.99. A medium bodied merlotwith firm tannins, flavors of dark berries, licorice and hints ofspice. This wine will pair nicely with firm cheeses, braised andgrilled meats.

7/28/2019 Romanian Wines Revision e

3/4

Prince Mircea Merlot, 2008, 750 ml $21.29. A medium tofull bodied merlot, nose reminiscent of dark cherries and blackberries. Good acidity with big tannins that smooth out withaeration. Try pairing with fattier meats and aged cheeses such as

Cheddars or Parmesans.

Sec Murfatlar Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009, 750ml $9.99. Bigand chewy, this wine shows bright black currant and hints of bitterchocolate. Great served with juicy steak on the grill or venisonmeat. Quite a bargain!

Trei Hectare Feteasca Neagra, 2008, 750 ml $13.99. With

hints of green pepper, dark fruit and underlying notes of oak, thisgrape reminds me of Cabernet Franc. Serve with autumn roastedvegetables, lamb brochettes or herb infused dishes.

Trei Hectare Cabernet Rose, 2008, 750ml, $13.29. A dryroswine with notes of cherries, raspberries and mint. Stretch outthe summer with this wine and pair along with grilled sausages orherb crusted salmon.

Terra Romana Pinot Noir, 2009, 750 ml, $10.99. A relativelynew product, this light and fruity Pinot Noir shows a discrete noseof cherries and oak. The palate follows with bright acidity and redberry flavors. Would benefit from some aeration so open a coupleof hours before you serve the wine. Serve with cold cuts, firmcheeses and simple nibbles.

Castel Starmina Riesling 2001, 750 ml, $13.99. Clear bright

light yellow color with greening reflexes. Intense and persistentwith exotic fruit aromas (bananas) and citric flower tints. Dry, full,savory, good texture and a generous finish. Served at 12C withwhite meat dishers, seafood and fish.

7/28/2019 Romanian Wines Revision e

4/4

Terra Romana Milenium, 2007, 750 ml, $12.49. Anothernew product to the NB Liquor shelves, this wine is a blend ofFeteasca Neagra, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Not unlike aBordeaux blend, on the nose you detect first of all green pepper

and herbs. As soon as the wine opens, cherries and dark chocolatetake the forefront with flavors of dark fruit and subtle tannins witha long finish. Try pairing with rich cheeses, braised meats androasted peppers or eggplant dishes.

My last pick from Romanian is Prahova Valley ReservePinot Noir, 2009, 750 ml, $14.49. This wine presents aromas ofdried cherries, blackberries, thyme, leather and plum are followed

by flavors of dark berries, mushroom and earth. Heavy Pinot Noirwith long finish and very pleasant lingering flavors. If tastedblind could be mistaken for a Pinot Noir from Burgundy. Trypairing with grilled pork, cedar planked salmon or fine cheeses.

Heres a scoop, the last two wine pics won medals at the2011 World Wine and Food Expo. If youre looking for greatvalue and interesting wine suggestions try getting your hands on allor some of these Romanian wines. You are sure to be rewarded.

Romanian wine sections can now be found in the followingNB Liquor stores across the province:

Fredericton: Prospect St, York St.

Moncton: Vaughan Harvey Blvd.

Dieppe: Regis St. Dieppe Boulevard

Saint John: Parkway Mall, Quispamsis

Edmundston

Salisbury

In the Spirits was written by Marcel Richard, product advisory, NBLiquor, Regis St. Dieppe