Domeniul Coroanei Segarcea: The land of dreams

Domeniul Coroanei Segarcea, our first winery visit in Southern Romania, was a great introduction to Romania’s wine world . The meaning of Segarcea is “the land of dream”. Indeed this land of dream has live up to its name over time. Segarcea was one of the twelve domains created by parliament in 1884 during the administration of Carol I, King of Romania. The domain prospered under the Royal House. They established a winery, and 300 hectares of vineyards where 60 grape varieties were planted. In 1929 Segarcea was granted the right to produce Controlled Denomination of Origin (DOC) wines. The wines became highly prized internationally, wining gold medals in Paris in 1936.

Domeniul Coroanei © Spaswinefood

Arriving at Domeniul Coroanei © Spaswinefood

Challenges and Dreams

The domain during Communist rule underwent a period when productivity was more important quality.  The winery went downhill. In fact this time has been described as a period of decay. Fortunately after the revolution Domeniul Coroanei Segarcea in 2002 was taken over by the Anghel family, Romanian entrepreneurs. Today the domain is in good hands and happy dreams have returned to this historic property. The Anghel’s are committed to both (1) restoring and preserving royal values, and (2) achieving the highest quality of wine making in Romania. Luckily we were able to get a glimpse of this rebirth during our visit.

Driving into Domeniul Coroanei © Spaswinefood

Domeniul Coroanei Vineyard © Spaswinefood

We drove through  expansive vineyards, toured the winery, and tasted the wines.

Domeniul Coroanei Vineyard View © Spaswinefood

Domeniul Coroanei Wines

Our wine tasting included wines made with international and Romanian grape varieties. The wines made with international grapes included Pinot Gris, Viognier and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Domeniul Coroanei, Pinot Gris 2013 © Spaswinefood

Domeniul Coroanei, Viognier 2013 © Spaswinefood

Domeniul Coroanei, Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 © Spaswinefood

Whereas the wines that I tasted made with Romanian grapes included such varieties as Fetească Albă, and Tămâioasă Românească.

Domeniul Coroanei, Fetească Albă © Spaswinefood

There were also rose wines and other wines where I was introduced to some of Domeniul Coroanei brands, such as Minima Moralia, and Vardo. In the case of Minima Moralia brand series I tasted two wines from this series, Hope and Gratitude.

Domeniul Coroanei, Minima Moralia, Hope 2014 © Spaswinefood

Domeniul Coroanei, Tămaioasă Rosé 2014 © Spaswinefood

Domeniul Coroanei, Marselan 2013 © Spaswinefood

Domeniul Coroanei, Vardo Patima Serii © Spaswinefood

Domeniul Coroanei, Minima Moralia, Gratitude 2008 © Spaswinefood

In the case of the Vardo Partim Serii brand, Flame of the Night wine that I tasted it was a dry red wine, Fetească Neagră. Whereas the two wines from Minima Moralia brand were 1) Hope, a dry rosé wine produced from Pinot Noir, with skin contact maceration Pinot Gris and barreled Cabernet Sauvignon time; and 2) Gratitude made with Cabernet Sauvignon.

It was an exciting lineup of Domeniul Coroanei Wines.

Domeniul Coroanei Wines © Spaswinefood

Time for Lunch and More

After wine tasting before leaving the winery we enjoyed a picnic style lunch from Epoch Restaurant, Craiova.

Picnic Lunch at Winery © Spaswinefood

After a very pleasant and informative afternoon at Domeniul Coroanei we spent the night at the Bavari Hotel, Craiova. That evening we walked to dinner at the nearby Epoca Restaurant. 

Epoch Restaurant & Wine Bar © Spaswinefood

Epoca Restaurant © Spaswinefood

It was a delightful dinner. Spaswinefood will write more about this gastronomic affair later. For now let me reflect briefly on our Domeniul Coroanei Segarcea, the land of dreams, where great wines have returned.

Land of Dreams, Domeniul Coroanei © Spaswinefood

Vineyard of Dreams, Domeniul Coroanei © Spaswinefood

Today Domeniul Coroanei, like many Romanian wineries, is undergoing an exciting rebirth. This rebirth brings back dreams to these historic vineyards. Domeniul Coroanei gave me a brief glimpse into the history of highs and lows that Romania’s wine industry has undergone over time. Both our visit to Domeniul Coroanei winery and the wines at dinner were a great introduction to today’s Romanian wines. Next morning it was onto Dragasani, the Napa Valley of Romania. I invite you to join me in my travels in Romania and elsewhere at Spaswinefood. I would like to give special thanks to Razvan Stoenescu and George Wine, for being such wonderful hosts during Spaswinefood’s vine-filled explorations in Romania.

Sharon

August 2016

Craiova, Romania

© Spaswinefood

Domeniul Coroanei © Spaswinefood


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