The characteristics of the Romanian wines

There are two ways to measure the qualities of a wine: physical and chemical laboratory analysis (a technical fairly unbiased  method) or testing through tasting (rather subjective, but much more beloved among specialists!). Through tasting we can appreciate smell, taste, bouquet, general aspect; while the lab analysis will result in measuring alcoholic concentration, acidity contents, sugar contents, presence or absence of foreign matters.

This is a pro, try to do the same

For the fine classification and appreciation of a specific wine, professional tasters and oenologists developped with the years a special subtle vocabulary, which can express the qualities or the failings of a certain wine. You must master this very special vocabulary, as you are not a beginner anymore!

These professionally tasters are  writing all there impressions, in order  to not influence each other!

In order to underline the general qualities of a wine one could say about that wine to be generous; robust; elegant; fruity; consistent; complete, accurate; original; vivid
-about the color of a wine: bright; intense; shining; living; clear
-about the finesse (or delicacy) : fine, pleasant, delicate; noble; velvety;  distinguished; sober; well balanced;firm; melodiously
-about the sugar content (to be completed by a lab analysis): dried; sweety; sweet; desert; liqourly
-about the bouquet and smell:perfumed; fruity; attractive, charming

For the defaults of a wine there are also a lot of sophisticated terms:
-generally:inconsistent; poor; unpleasant; bad balanced; heavy; dried; dull (or insipid)
-color:brown-ground; soft; weak

I must repeat, all these words are subject of individual judgement. In order to rely on them, when possible, they must be doubled by lab analysis.

A leading Romanian taster, Liviu Nedelea

The professional tastings are different in some points, comparing them to the normal tourist tastings. E.g. a professional tasting could be the occasion of proofing up to 20 different wine sortiments, which falls normally impossible to an untrained tourist! And this is the order of wines for professional tastings:
-white table wines, dried and half dried
-roze table wines, dried and half dried
-red table wine, dried and half dried
-white fine wines, dried and half dried
-roze fine wines, dried and half dried
-red fine wines, dried and half dried
-desert white wines, sweet and half sweet
-desert red wines, sweet and half sweet
-flavor wines (Muscats and Vermouths),dried, half dried and sweet
-pearl wines
-sparkling wines-bruts, dried, half dried and sweet

If you think worried to the liver of that taster, I must tell you a trick: they don't swallow a single drop, and spit the wine. Nevertheless, they become like tipsies due to the vapor and tongue absorption. I am also worry about your health and liver, and that's why I must say, it is not a career for you. Remain a normal man, and take part to the Romanian Wine Tour, it is the best for you.

           

THE BEST ROMANIAN WINES

There is always a matter of individual taste, but also a matter of collective judgement. Someone might like the white wines, another stays for reds. In addition  comes the preparation ways, e.g. dry, medium dry and sweet with all their variations.

Another issue of individual taste: younger wine or older wines ( only a few wines can be drinked if older than 10 years). If you are tough indeed and if you know the basics about Romania and its wines, you can prefer one of its vineyards: Cotnari, Panciu-Odobesti, Murfatlar, Dealu Mare, Recas, Minis or even a special year.

But what about the vine varieties? Well, with any risk, but this is a long discussion, but we ought to have it! Thanks. First, there are the well known international varieties, needing no further presentation: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Ottonel, Riesling,Aligote, Hamburg Muscat, Chardonnay,Merlot,Cabernet Sauvignon. It was not easy adapting these varieties to the Romanian special conditions, but the tradition is now already 100 years old ! You will be maybe deep surprised drinking some of the best glasses of these noble assortment here in Romania, but I tell you that is normal!

Second, there are some traditional varieties, whose tradition goes 2000 years ago! They are rich, and tasty, they are very impressive, and you must prepare your visit and tasting in Romania knowing something about them:
1. Babeasca (Old Maid wine) is available in white and red.
2.Feteasca (Young Girl wine) also available in white and red.
According to the age of your partner, you should make the selection between Babeasca and Feteasca!
3.Cramposie
4.Frangusa
5.Sarba
I wasn't able to find any translation, and I am deeply sorry for it. Better drink and define them finding some similar with yours usually wines!

And finally something for the conaisseurs: there are some excellent old wines here around, starting with the collection of the former Romanian dictator Ceausescu (a wine afficionado, among others)! Also, in some secret hidden places you can find something really special: Aligote Bucium 1986; Pinot Noir Minis 1994; Cabernet Sauvignon Murfatlar 1937 (sic); Cadarca Minis 1970; Chardonnay Murfatlar 1938,1962, 1964; Merlot Murfatlar 1970; Sarba Valea Calugareasca 1970 etc. Cheers, dear friends, you are waited in Romania!