Gateway to America's Most Exciting Romanian Wine

As the legend has it, Dionysus, the Thracian god of wine, was born north of the Danube River. This region was called Dacia Felix (Happy Dacia) after it was conquered by the Romans in 106 A.D. Wine was one of the riches of this land. In fact, centuries prior to the Roman occupation, this region had a well established wine culture - arguably one of the oldest in all of Europe. Archeologists are uncovering 5000 to 6000 year old wine vessels among Cucetini remains in the northeastern part of Romania. Thankfully as new people groups evolved on these lands, the skills needed for grape cultivation and wine making passed from one generation to the next.
Some of the vineyards survived the centuries and are still producing amazing wines. The microclimates of Romania are quite comparable to France and conducive to the making of fine wine. In fact, one finds grapes cultivated all over Romania, but there are four major wine producing regions, as shown on the map below.
	The TARNAVE region is situated in Transylvania, a plateau surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains. Because of the cooler climate, the sugar content is low, but fine fruit flavors develop in the grapes. This region produces mainly white wines.
The DEALU MARE region occupies an area of 15,000 ha. on the gentle slopes of the sub-Carpathian Hills to the south and southeast of the main range. The positioning is ideal for the production of soft red wines. Some of the best Pinot Noirs, Cabernet and Merlot wines you have ever tasted, come from this region. The MURFATLAR region is just a few miles from the Black Sea coast and has an average of 300 days of sunshine out of the year. The conditions of this area allow for the development of the NOBLE ROT. The COTNARI region is a part of Moldavia and is situated in northeastern Romania. It has a substrada of limestone and a warm microclimate favorable to the accumulation of high sugar levels in grapes which is ideal for the production of aromatic, dessert wines. The area also allows for the development of NOBLE ROT. Grape picking can continue late into the middle of November. Most of the wines coming from the Cotnari region are from indigenous grapes.
THE GRAPES - Native varieties - FETEASCA ALBA (White Maiden grape) is an old Romanian variety, grown especially in Moldavia and Transylvania. Wines are either dry or semidry, with a balanced alcohol content (11.5-12%), acidity and sugar and feature a velvety, natural finesse. FETEASCA REGALA (Royal Maiden grape) is an old variety from Transylvania. Wines are dry, fresh,have high acidity and a distinguished flavor. FETEASCA NEAGRA (Black Maiden grape) in an old indigenous variety, grown in several areas in Moldavia and Muntenia (southern Romania). These grapes produce dry, semidry or sweet wines, with an alcohol content of 12-12.5%, a deep red color with ruby shades, and a black currant flavor, richer and smoother with aging. GRASA de COTNARI (a.k.a. Noblesse) belongs to the old Cotnari vineyard and has been grown for many centuries. It is picked when the grapes shrivel and is affected by Botrytis Cinerea(Noble Rot). Its sugar content is high - over 240 gr. per liter, and its fragrance is out of this world. TAMAIOASA ROMANEASCA (a.k.a. Holy Smoke ~ Romanian frankincense) produces high quality aromatic wines. The color of the wine is golden-yellow, with a wild flowers and honey aroma, a rich taste and 12-12.5 % alcohol by content. Better with age... BUSUIOACA de BOHOTIN (a.k.a. Muscat Rose' ~ sweet basil grape) This remarkable grape grows in a tiny area of Moldavian region of Romania. The wine has a golden rusty color, distinct from any other wine. Its flavor is original, resembling honey suckle and ripe juicy peaches, with a perfect harmony of sugar, alcohol and acidity. The refreshing sweet taste, sometimes has a barely perceptible almond-like aroma. - Foreign varieties - For white wines: Italian Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Muscat Ottonel, Sauvignon Blanc, Aligote, Traminer etc. For red wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot.
	"WINE IS THE CURE AGAINST AGING" (PLATON)

	PLUTARH SAID THAT WINE IS THE MOST USEFUL OF ALL DRINKS AND THE MOST PLEASANT OF ALL FOODS

	PLINIUS THE OLD CONFESSED THAT HE REACHED THE AGE OF 122 YEARS THANKS TO HYDROMEL(WINE MIXED WITH HONEY;WAS DRUNK IN THE ANCIENT GREECE)