We, #winelovers and citizens of the world, gathered around the table at Avincis one November evening to explore Dragasani wines. Our #olteniawinetour included an overnight stay at Avincis, a key player in Dragasani’s rebirth. Romania's Dragasani has had a long tradition of wine making. Cristiana Stoica and her husband Valeriu established Crama Avincis in 2007 to continue a family tradition. Today Avincis is a symbol for the revival of Romanian wine. Let's explore why.
 |
| Wine Tasting, Avincis Winery © Spaswinefood |
While sitting there I briefly reflected on an earlier August visit with #winelover friends to Avincis winery.
 |
| Top Views from Avincis Winery August © Spaswinefood |
Ghislain Moritz, oenologist, a graduate of the University of Dijon, was our host. Moritz has since returned to France to start his own winery in Alsace. He is now a consulting oenologist at Avincis however, Alina Profir who joined Avincis in 2016 has assumed the wine making role.
 |
Top Views from Avincis Winery November © Spaswinefood
|
Avincis: A Place of Rebirth
Avincis winery designed by Alexandru Beldiman is a stunning, modern winery that is well integrated into the surrounding landscape. The winery sits, like a ship, on the Dobrusa Hill surrounded by a spectacular vineyard of 40 hectares. In fact the vineyard covers the hill and extends into the surrounding valleys. The family manor has been restored in the Brancovenesc style, of the beginning 20th century. Moreover, welcomed news for the enotourist is that Avincis offers accommodations at its Vila Dobrusa.
 |
| August, Avincis Vineyard © Spaswinefood |
During our November visit we toured the winery, did a wine tasting, and dined in the restaurant. I could not resist checking out the vineyard.
 |
#Winelovers Touring Avincis © Spaswinefood
 |
| Avincis Vineyard in November © Spaswinefood |
|
|
|
Late August, Avincis Vineyard © Spaswinefood
|
Crama Avincis's spectacular Dobrusa Hill vineyard includes indigenous grapes varieties, such as Tămâioasă Românească, Negru de Drăgăşani, Fetească Regală and Crâmpoşie Selecţionată. Whereas the international grapes varieties include Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Muscat Ottonel. Great care was taken in planting these varieties in specific vineyard locations to maximize their growing conditions.
 |
| Harvest is Near, Avincis August Vineyard © Spaswinefood |
A Time for Wine and Food
Our evening began with wine tasting from Dragasani wineries. Romania's Dragasani, an area that has had a long tradition of wine making, has much to offer these days. We began the wine tasting with Domeniile Mennini wines.
Domeniile Mennini
Domeniile Mennini wines we tasted were from its frizzante wine series, Cubule and Stelle di Mare.
Domeniile Mennini, Cubule
 |
| Domeniile Mennini, Cubule 2016 © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Domeniile Mennini, Cubule 2016 (backlabel) © Spaswinefood |
 |
Domeniile Mennini, Cubule Wines © Spaswinefood
|
Domeniile Mennini, Stelle di Mare
 |
| Domeniile Mennini, Stelle di Mare © Spaswinefood |
These wines brought back memories of Spaswinefood's earlier visit to Domeniile Mennini.
Domeniu Dragasi
Domeniu Dragasi, a new winery shared some of its first vintages.
 |
Domeniu Dragasi © Spaswinefood
|
Domeniu Dragasi, Pelerin Sauvignon Blanc 2016
 |
| Domeniu Dragasi, Pelerin Sauvignon Blanc 2016 © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Domeniu Dragasi, Pelerin Sauvignon Blanc 2016 © Spaswinefood |
Domeniu Dragasi, Pelerin Cabernet Franc 2015
 |
| Domeniu Dragasi, Pelerin Cabernet Franc 2015 © Spaswinefood |
Crama Bauer
I always enjoy tasting Crama Bauer wines. Every time I taste these wines I appreciate their uniqueness.
 |
Crama Bauer Wines © Spaswinefood
|
 |
| Crama Bauer, Cabernet Sauvignon © Spaswinefood |
During an earlier visit to Crama Bauer Spaswinefood soon discover that it is a Dragasani winery to watch. Located right next door to the historic Stirbey Wine Estate, Crama Bauer and Crama Stirbey share something in common. The one thing that both of these wineries have in common is winemaker, Oliver Bauer. Bauer is the winemaker at both wineries. Bauer joined Stirbey in 2003. Recognizing the potential for the area he and his wife Raluca started their own winery in 2012.
 |
| Oliver Bauer Sharing Bauer Wines, Crama Avincis © Spaswinefood |
Crama Avincis
Some of the wines shared by Crama Avincis were:
 |
| Crama Avincis Sauvignon Blanc 2016 © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Crama Avincis Red Wine Blend 2013 © Spaswinefood |
Alina Profir, a rising star at Avincis, was the host for our visit.
 |
| Alina Profir, Crama Avincis © Spaswinefood |
Other Dragasani Wines
Amongst the other Dragasani wines available for tasting were Domeniile Samburesti and Crama Cepari wines.
 |
| Domeniile Samburesti, Cahteau Valis, Chardonnay 2015 © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Domeniile Samburesti, Cahteau Valis, Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Crama Cepari, Crâmpoşie Selecţionată 2016 © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Crama Cepari & Domeniu Dragasi Rosé Wines © Spaswinefood |
Special thanks to the Dragasani wineries that brought wines to share. After the wine tasting there were some foodie delights. Here are some of the dishes we enjoyed.
Our dinner began with a warm soup.
 |
| Squash Soup, Avincis Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Main Plate, Avincis Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
Yes, there was a vegetarian option.
 |
| Vegetarian Option, Avincis Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
Avincis is indeed a delightful place for wine tasting and dining.
 |
| Avincis Winery Restaurant/Tasting Room © Spaswinefood |
I enjoyed our Dragasani wine tasting with #winelover friends. Over dinner that evening we tasted more wines. During our Avincis stay we sampled wines both during the wine tasting and during dinner. Obviously, the wines made with the local grape varieties, like Crâmpoşie Selecţionată, Fetească Regală, and Negru de Drăgăşani were the ones that made my day.
Avincis, Crâmpoşie Selecţionată 2015
 |
| Avincis, Crâmpoşie Selecţionată 2015 © Spaswinefood |
Avincis, Fetească Regală Pinot Gris 2013
 |
| Avincis, Fetească Regală Pinot Gris 2013 © Spaswinefood |
Avincis, Negru de Drăgăşani 2012
 |
| Avincis, Negru de Drăgăşani 2012 © Spaswinefood |
Dragasani wines were highly regarded in Europe until the communist occupation. While that tradition was stifled under occupation, since the 1989 revolution clearly the Dragasani has undergone a rebirth. The region it is already beginning to establish a track record of award winning wines at national and international levels. It is well on its way to achieving its dream of putting Romanian wines back on the international map of wines.
 |
Vila Dobrusa, Avincis © Spaswinefood
|
Avincis: A Showcase for Dragasani Enotourism
Dragasani visitors will soon discover that Avincis is well equipped for wine tourism. I would highly recommend Avincis Vila Dobrusa, as a place to stay.
 |
| Vila Dobrusa, Avincis © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Avincis Vila Dobrusa © Spaswinefood |
It is because of places, like Avincis that some describe the Dragasani as the Napa Valley of Romania. Others have compared the area to Tuscany. Such comparisons speak to the fact that these days the Dragasani is buzzing with excitement, with new vineyards and wineries being established/re-established.
 |
View of Family Manor, Avincis Restaurant © Spaswinefood
 |
Family Manor, Avincis Restaurant © Spaswinefood
|
|
It is not hard to imagine what the Dragasani wine world would have been today had it not had to endure occupation. Without doubt given its amazing viticultural history, native grape varieties, modern wineries the future of Dragasani is indeed promising.
 |
| Autumn Vineyard, Avincis © Spaswinefood |
#Winelovers were most fortunate to visit Avincis, which is not only a perfect set-up for enotourists but also an excellent place to experience wine making in today's Dragasani. I would like to give special thanks to Avincis for being such an awesome host during our Dragasani visit. Let me also acknowledge Razvan Stoenescu and George Wine, who organized our vine-filled explorations in Romania. After touring the Dragasani it was onto a #Winelover Hangout in Bucharest. I invite you to join me in my travels in Romania and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
Sharon
November 2017
Dragasani, Romania
© Spaswinefood
|
|
August Grapes, Avincis © Spaswinefood
|
No comments:
Post a Comment