Romanian wines

Romania might not be your first pick as one of the major wine producing regions of the world but what you are about to read might surprise you. With a surface area of 190,000 hectares of grape plantations, Romania ranks as the fifth largest wine producer in Europe. Only Spain, France, Italy and Portugal out-produce this East European country. Romania has been producing wine and growing vines for over 2,500 years, and has had a following of European wine consumers for many years. But in a country with a turbulent history, which is still finding its feet as one of the newest democracies in the European Union, the path for Romanian wine production has not been smooth. While under the rule of Nicolae Ceausescu, the Romanian wine industry was nationalized and a firm stronghold was placed on independent producers in favor of collective farms and wineries. After the revolution of 1989 and the falling of Ceausescus reign, the country saw its economy along with the wine industry spiral downward after years of under-investment. Returning the many vineyards to their original owners was difficult as many had died or fled the country for safer lands. This resulted in a patchwork of tiny plots of land, many of which were semiabandoned. This had a dramatic affect and almost resulted in the total collapse of the wine industry. But true to their resiliency, the Romanians overcome many obstacles and after 20 years the wine industry has regained its viability and is today prospering. Romanias varied geography and climate make it a perfect land for quality wine production. With a myriad of mountain ranges, plateaus, valleys and coastal breezes, several microclimatic

regions cover the country. The primary wine producing regions are Moldavia in the Northeast, which produces both red and white wines. This is the largest producing region and renowned for the production of the Cotnari wines, sweet dessert wine similar to Sauterne and Tokaj); the Muntenia and Oltenia regions in the Southern part of the country, produce red and white wines; the Banat, Crisana and Maramures wine regions in the West are equally divided equally between white and red wine; the Transylvanian plateau, then central most part of the country, mainly produces white wine in the exquisite mountain ranges, panoramic beauty immortalized by Bram Stokers Dracula and finally the Dobrudja plateau, in the South east bordering the Black Sea and Bulgaria. This region is best known for producing white wines but a few red wine producers also call this home. As with most European countries, Romania has a wide variety of indigenous grape varietals along with western origin varietals (Vintis vinifera). The native white varietals most notably are: Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Regala, Grasa de Cotnari and Tamaiosa Romaneasca. In the native red varietals we find Feteasca Neagra, Negru Vartos, Babeasca Neagra and Cadarca. The Vintis vinifera varietal are comprised of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Italian Riesling and Muscat Ottonel for the whites, and Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir for the reds. NB Liquor carries a very good selection of Romanian wines at great prices and quality: Ferma Noua Merlot, 2008, $11.99. A medium bodied merlot with firm tannins, flavors of dark berries, licorice and hints of spice. This wine will pair nicely with firm cheeses, braised and grilled meats.

Prince Mircea Merlot, 2008, 750 ml $21.29. A medium to full bodied merlot, nose reminiscent of dark cherries and black berries. Good acidity with big tannins that smooth out with aeration. Try pairing with fattier meats and aged cheeses such as Cheddars or Parmesans. Sec Murfatlar Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009, 750ml $9.99. Big and chewy, this wine shows bright black currant and hints of bitter chocolate. Great served with juicy steak on the grill or venison meat. Quite a bargain! Trei Hectare Feteasca Neagra, 2008, 750 ml $13.99. With hints of green pepper, dark fruit and underlying notes of oak, this grape reminds me of Cabernet Franc. Serve with autumn roasted vegetables, lamb brochettes or herb infused dishes. Trei Hectare Cabernet Rose, 2008, 750ml, $13.29. A dry ros wine with notes of cherries, raspberries and mint. Stretch out the summer with this wine and pair along with grilled sausages or herb crusted salmon. Terra Romana Pinot Noir, 2009, 750 ml, $10.99. A relatively new product, this light and fruity Pinot Noir shows a discrete nose of cherries and oak. The palate follows with bright acidity and red berry flavors. Would benefit from some aeration so open a couple of hours before you serve the wine. Serve with cold cuts, firm cheeses and simple nibbles. Castel Starmina Riesling 2001, 750 ml, $13.99. Clear bright light yellow color with greening reflexes. Intense and persistent with exotic fruit aromas (bananas) and citric flower tints. Dry, full, savory, good texture and a generous finish. Served at 12C with white meat dishers, seafood and fish.

Terra Romana Milenium, 2007, 750 ml, $12.49. Another new product to the NB Liquor shelves, this wine is a blend of Feteasca Neagra, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Not unlike a Bordeaux blend, on the nose you detect first of all green pepper and herbs. As soon as the wine opens, cherries and dark chocolate take the forefront with flavors of dark fruit and subtle tannins with a long finish. Try pairing with rich cheeses, braised meats and roasted peppers or eggplant dishes. My last pick from Romanian is Prahova Valley Reserve Pinot Noir, 2009, 750 ml, $14.49. This wine presents aromas of dried cherries, blackberries, thyme, leather and plum are followed by flavors of dark berries, mushroom and earth. Heavy Pinot Noir with long finish and very pleasant lingering flavors. If tasted blind could be mistaken for a Pinot Noir from Burgundy. Try pairing with grilled pork, cedar planked salmon or fine cheeses. Heres a scoop, the last two wine pics won medals at the 2011 World Wine and Food Expo. If youre looking for great value and interesting wine suggestions try getting your hands on all or some of these Romanian wines. You are sure to be rewarded. Romanian wine sections can now be found in the following NB 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, NB Liquor, Regis St. Dieppe