Given we had only a week to explore Romanian wine country we were recommended to concentrate our efforts on Southern Romania. Spaswinefood's adventure in Southern Romanian included two wineries in the Muntenia wine region, one of the most important wine regions in the country. From Bucharest we were off to Prahova County to visit Licorna Winehouse and Domeniile Tohani wineries. These wineries are located within a special wine area known as the Dealu Mare.
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| Domeniile Tohani Estate, Dealu Mare © Spaswinefood |
Discovering Muntenia's Dealu Mare
Just in case you are wondering where Muntenia wine region fits within Romania's wine producing areas. First, Romania has seven wine regions: (1) Transylvania (center of the country), (2) Moldova (north east), (3) Crisana and Maramures (west central and north), (4) Muntenia and Oltenia (south), (5) Banat (west), (6) Southern Sands and Danube Terraces (south) and (7) Dobrogea (south east); with each of these regions containing a number of sub regions. In this case Dealu Mare is within Muntenia.
Southern Romania's Muntenia wine region, or as it sometimes described the Muntenia hills (Greater Wallachia). Dealu Mare (Big Hill) Vineyards, one of the best known vineyard areas, stretches for 90 km. from Valea Calugareasca (near Ploiesti) to Merei/Vernestin (near Buzau), covering the counties of Buzau and Prahova. Our stops within the Dealu Mare vineyards were Licorna Winehouse and Domeniile Tohani wineries.
Our drive from Bucharest to Prahova County was indeed pleasant. It seemed like it was no time before we were in wine country. It was indeed a beautiful day in late August, as we headed down the road towards Licorna Winehouse.
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| Heading to the Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
Soon we arrived at Licorna Winehouse. The sign near the entrance was a good indication that we were within the Dealu Mare region.
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| Dealu Mare Vineyard Sign © Spaswinefood |
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| Vineyards, Licorna Winehouse © Spaswinefood |
Licorna Winehouse
Licorna Winehouse is located halfway between Gura Vadului and Vadu Sapat, Prahova County. I delighted to meet the head winemaker, Gabriel Lacureanu. I had tasted Licorna wines during our earlier Southern Romania travels. Now I would meet the winemaker.
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| Gabriel Lacureanu, Oenologist © Spaswinefood |
Before we did a wine tasting we took a brief tour of the winery and vineyard. The winery's vineyards are described as being within the Tohani Viticultural Centre and the Dealu Mare.
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| Licorna Vineyard © Spaswinefood |
I saw some soon to be picked Fetească Neagră grapes.
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| Fetească Neagră, Licorna Vineyard © Spaswinefood |
It is hard for me to resist taking a closer look at the grapes.
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| Fetească Neagră, The Black Grape © Spaswinefood |
Soon we were back inside tasting the wines.
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| Licorna Winehouse Wines © Spaswinefood |
It was a delightful wine tasting with Gabriel Lacureanu and #winelover friends.
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| Gabriel Lacureanu and #Winelovers © Spaswinefood |
After tasting these wines I was not surprised to hear that Gabriel Lacureanu was named Oenologist of the Year 2016 by Vinul.ro magazine. Before leaving we toured their historic cellars.
Domeniile Tohani
Domeniile Tohani in Gura Vadului, is also within the Dealu Mare. We toured the winery, the historic cellars, and the stunning Domeniile Tohani Estate/ Tohani Vineyard with our host, Marina
Samoila.
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| Marina Samoila (right), Domeniile Tohani © Spaswinefood |
While touring the winery we discovered some of its history.
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| Marina Samoila, Domeniile Tohani Estate © Spaswinefood |
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| Domeniile Tohani Estate History © Spaswinefood |
Next, we drove to the historic wine cellar. It was exciting to see some of the wines stored there.
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| Wine Cellar, Domeniile Tohani Estate © Spaswinefood |
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| Domeniile Tohani Estate Vintage Wines © Spaswinefood |
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| Domeniile Tohani Estate Cellar © Spaswinefood |
Yes, I did take a few pictures of the wines being stored.
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Domeniile Tohani Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 © Spaswinefood
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| Domeniile Tohani Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 © Spaswinefood |
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| Domeniile Tohani Estate, Pinot Noir Reserve 2001 © Spaswinefood |
It is always fascinating for me to visit wine cellars.
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| Domeniile Tohani Estate Barrel Room © Spaswinefood |
While in the barrel room we tasted some barrel samples.
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| Barrel Sampling, Domeniile Tohani Estate © Spaswinefood |
Soon it was time to leave the cellar.
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| Barrel Room, Domeniile Tohani Estate © Spaswinefood |
Next, it was onto the vineyards. Tohani Estate vineyards are stunning vineyards with great views.
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| Tohani Estate Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
After the vineyard tour there was a fabulous wine tasting
of Domeniile Tohani wines over lunch at Ferma Dacilor. Today the winery describes its wines as "New World" Romanian Wine. Ferma Dacilor is located within Tohani Wine Village, Prahova County. The restaurant serves delicious traditional food made from natural ingredients provided by the farm.
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| Wine Tasting, Ferma Dacilor © Spaswinefood |
Our day in Muntenia wine country was an awesome vine-inspired adventure. Yes,
this is must visit wine region. Domeniile Tohani will be opening a new
hotel and restaurant in the near future. This adds to the enotourism activities
already available in the area.
While in Romania I was very fortunate also to be introduced to Crama Davino, Serve, and Vinarte, which also have
wineries in Muntenia. Throughout this area you will find traditional and
recently built wineries. The area is quickly becoming a place for enotourism,
with wineries providing accommodations in the vineyards.
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Domeniile Tohani Estate, Dealu Mare © Spaswinefood
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All Wine Roads Lead to Bucharest
#Winelovers touring Southern Romania will soon discover that all roads lead back to Bucharest. After an exciting wine country day in the Dealu Mare region of Muntenia, we returned to Bucharest.
That evening over dinner at La Mama Ateneu we would explore wines, from two more wineries, Liliac and Casa de Vinuri Cotnari. Next day, our last day in Romania, would be filled with awesome #winelover activities
before the Bucharest #Winelover Hangout. To meet so many Romanian #winelovers during our
travels was indeed inspiring.
I invite you to join me in my travels in Romania and elsewhere
at Spaswinefood. In future posts I plan to focus on Licona Winehouse and Domeniile Tohani wineries. Special thanks to
Razvan Stoenescu, George Wine, and all
our new Romanian friends for being such wonderful hosts during Spaswinefood’s
vine-filled explorations.
Sharon
August
2016
Romania
©
Spaswinefood
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