I still remember that sunny day when a small group of #winelovers set out from Bucharest for Licorna Winehouse, Prahova County. Spaswinefood's last wine country adventure in Southern Romanian included wineries in the Muntenia wine region, one of the most important wine regions in the country. Licorna Winehouse is located in a special wine area, the Dealu Mare, within the Muntenia. Our Licorna visit was the perfect opportunity to gain a few insights into this wine region.
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| Dealu Mare Vineyard © Spaswinefood |
Southern Romania's Muntenia wine region, or as it sometimes described the Muntenia hills (Greater Wallachia), includes the Dealu Mare. The 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 first Dealu Mare Vineyards stop was at Licorna Winehouse. There we had a delightful visit with winemaker, Gabriel Lacureanu.
Licorna Winehouse, Prahova County
Our drive from Bucharest to Prahova County that day was indeed pleasant. It seemed like it was no time before we were in Dealu Mare wine country. Could not help but appreciate that beautiful late August day, as we headed down the road towards Licorna Winehouse.
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| Heading to the Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
Soon we arrived at Licorna Winehouse, which is surrounded by vineyards.
Licorna Winehouse Visit
Just in case you are wondering Licorna Winehouse is located halfway between Gura Vadului and Vadu Sapat, Prahova County.
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| Licorna Winehouse Winery © Spaswinefood |
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| Licorna Winehouse Cellar © Spaswinefood |
Head winemaker, Gabriel Lacureanu was waiting to greet us when we arrived. I had tasted Licorna wines during our earlier Southern Romania travels. Now, I would get to 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, vineyard, and their historic cellar.
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| Licorna Winehouse © Spaswinefood |
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| Touring Licorna Winehouse © Spaswinefood |
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| Licorna Winehouse Wines © Spaswinefood |
After a brief tour of the winery it was onto the vineyards. The winery's vineyards are described as being within the Tohani Viticultural Centre and the Dealu Mare.
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| Late Summer, 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 these special grapes.
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| Fetească Neagră, The Black Grape © Spaswinefood |
Licorna Winehouse History
Licorna Winehouse opened in 2013 at the site of an historical cellar. The story of the historic cellars is one of a cellar that was founded over 100 years ago by Nicolae Nicolau and his wife
Elena. The story goes something like this. Nicolae had a dream that 16th
century ruler Constantin Brancoveanu asked him to make wine, as black as the
cockerel in his backyard. This black wine (Fetească Neagră) is still made and the fairytale
cellars now go by the name of Licorna Winehouse. The restored historic cellars still exist
on the property along with a state of the art winery. Fortunately we were able to tour the cellar.
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| Licorna Winehouse Cellar Entrance © Spaswinefood |
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| Making an Entrance, Licorna Winehouse Cellar © Spaswinefood |
Once through the doors at the cellar door we soon discovered an inviting cellar.
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| Roof Design , Licorna Winehouse Cellars © Spaswinefood |
Licorna Winehouse Wines
Soon we were back inside the winery's tasting room 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 |
The winery produces two wine brands that include Licorna, a blend and Serafin, a pure variety. According to their website the main grape varieties grown are Tămâioasă Românească (clone R2, rootstock SO4/762), Fetească Albă (clone 21, rootstock SO4/752), Sauvignon Blanc (clone R3/ rootstock SO4/102), Fetească Neagră (clone 44, rootstock SO4/14), and Merlot (clone 519, rootstock SO4/72). After tasting Licorna wines I was not surprised to hear that Gabriel Lacureanu was named Oenologist of the Year 2016 by Vinul.ro magazine.
After leaving Licorna Winehouse our next stop in the Dealu Mare was at Domeniile Tohani.
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Domeniile Tohani Estate, Dealu Mare © Spaswinefood
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Discovering Mutenia's Dealu Mare Wines
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 specifically Dealu Mare's Licorna Winehouse is within Muntenia.
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| #Winelovers, Licorna Winehouse © Spaswinefood |
Given Romania's wine making history, wines made with indigenous grape varieties, such as Tămâioasă Românească, Feteasca Negra, and international grape varieties, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, modern
winemaking technology and passionate winemakers, like Gabriel Lacureanu, this is what makes Romanian wine very
attractive. Yes, Romanian wine may not yet well known outside Romania, nor is it easy to find however, this is about to change. After an exciting wine country day, we returned to Bucharest. That evening over dinner at La Mama Ateneu we explored Dealu Mare wines, from two wineries, Liliac and Casa de Vinuri Cotnari. Yes, it was a great day with Dealu Mare wines.
The next day, our last day in Romania, was filled with #winelover activities
before the Bucharest 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. 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
Dealu Mare, Romania
©
Spaswinefood
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| Historic Licorna Winehouse Cellars © Spaswinefood |
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