What is so special about the #winelover community is the opportunity to connect with #winelovers around the world. It is because of this community that I attended last November, a number of wine events from Budapest, Hungary to Bucharest, Romania. These events included #Winelover Hangout in Budapest, Hungary; and Rovinhud Wine Show, Oltenia Wine Tour, and Bucharest Hangout in Romania). After the Rovinhud Wine Show in Timisoara my Spaswinefood adventures in Romania continued. What follows are vignettes from our #winelover tour and hangout in Romania.
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November in Romania with #Winelovers © Spaswinefood
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Kickoff for Oltenia Wine Tour
Twas was a magical evening with friends when we gathered in Timisoara, Romania on the eve of our Oltenia Wine Tour. #Winelovers met in Timisoara after the Rovinhud Wine Show for the official kick-off. Our wine country adventure began with dinner at Enoteca Amphora Restaurant. Whenever the #winelover community comes together it is a time for old and new #winelover friends to share their passion for wine. That evening in Timisoara was no exception. As you say in Romanian Noroc (Cheers)!
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| Winelovers, Timisoara, Romania © Spaswinefood |
Bright and early the next morning, we were off to Oltenia wine country. Stops on our #winelover tour included:
1. A Gastronomic Introduction to Dolj County
A wine tasting with local food at Crama Galicia Mare was a most delightful fall picnic.
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| Ready for Galicea Mare Wines © Spaswinefood |
Crama Galicia Mare is located in an area rich in tradition. When we arrived the reception area was setup with delightful local foods to sample. The owner delighted in showcasing the local foods along with his wines.
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| Showcasing Local Cuisine, Galicea Mare © Spaswinefood |
Here are some of the wines that I tasted.
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| Galicea Mare, Tămaioasă Romanească 2016 © Spaswinefood |
Tămaioasă Romanească, a Romanian native grape variety, produces a most delightful white wine.
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| Galicea Mare, Chardonnay 2016 © Spaswinefood |
One of the red wines included red cuvée.
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| Galicea Mare, Cuvée Rosu 2016 © Spaswinefood |
After leaving our Crama Galicia Mare hosts we travelled onto
Domeniul Coroanei Segarcea.
2. Domeniul Coroanei Segarcea
A visit to Domeniul Coroanei Segarcea, with #winelover friends, was indeed the best of dreams. Segarcea means “the land of dream”. This area has certainly lived up to its name over time. Segarcea, one of the twelve domains created by parliament in 1884 during the administration of Carol I, King of Romania, prospered under the Royal House. They established a winery, and planted 60 grape varieties in 300 hectares of vineyards. In 1929 Segarcea was granted the right to produce Controlled Denomination of Origin (DOC) wines. Their wines became highly prized internationally, wining gold medals in Paris in 1936.
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| Return to Domeniul Coroanei © Spaswinefood |
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| Earlier August Visit to Domeniul Coroanei © Spaswinefood |
During Communist rule the domain underwent a period when productivity was more important than quality. The winery went downhill. In fact this time has been described as a period of decay. Fortunately in 2002 Domeniul Coroanei Segarcea 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. We were able to get a glimpse of this revival during our #winelover visit.
Our Domeniul Coroanei Segarcea wine tasting included wines made with international grape varieties, and Romanian indigenous grape varieties.
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| Domeniul Coroanei Segarcea Wines © Spaswinefood |
After a very pleasant and informative visit at Domeniul Coroanei we continued our explorations along the Oltenia Wine Route. We spent the night at Avincis in the Dragasani, the Napa Valley of Romania.
3. #Winelover Evening at Dragasani's Avincis Winery
We gathered around the table at Avincis that November evening to explore Dragasani wines. 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.
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| Wine Tasting, Avincis Winery © Spaswinefood |
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 tasted wines from the following wineries:
(1) Domeniile Mennini
Domeniile Mennini wines we tasted were from its frizzante wine series, Cubule and Stelle di Mare.
Domeniile Mennini, Cubule
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| Domeniile Mennini, Cubule 2016 © Spaswinefood |
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Domeniile Mennini, Cubule Wines © Spaswinefood
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These wines brought back memories of Spaswinefood's earlier visit to Domeniile Mennini.
(2) Domeniu Dragasi
Domeniu Dragasi, a new winery shared some of its first vintages.
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Domeniu Dragasi © Spaswinefood
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(3) Crama Bauer
I always enjoy tasting Crama Bauer wines. Every time I taste these wines I appreciate their uniqueness.
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Crama Bauer Wines © Spaswinefood
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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.
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| Oliver Bauer Sharing Bauer Wines, Crama Avincis © Spaswinefood |
(4) Crama Avincis
Some of the wines shared by Crama Avincis were:
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| Crama Avincis Sauvignon Blanc 2016 © Spaswinefood |
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| Crama Avincis Red Wine Blend 2013 © Spaswinefood |
Alina Profir, a rising star at Avincis, was the host for our visit.
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| Alina Profir, Crama Avincis © Spaswinefood |
(5) Other Dragasani Wines
Amongst the other Dragasani wines available for tasting were Domeniile Samburesti and Crama Cepari wines.
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| Samburesti, Cahteau Valis, Chardonnay 2015 © Spaswinefood |
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| Samburesti, Cahteau Valis, Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 © Spaswinefood |
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| Crama Cepari, Crâmpoşie Selecţionată 2016 © Spaswinefood |
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| Crama Cepari & Domeniu Dragasi Rosé Wines © Spaswinefood |
I enjoyed our Dragasani wine tasting with #winelover friends. Over dinner that evening we tasted more wines. 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. Without doubt given its amazing viticultural history, distinct native grape varieties, modern wineries, and talented winemakers the future of Dragasani is indeed promising.
We spent the night at Avincis. Next day, driving from the Dragasani to Bucharest, our last winery stop was Vinarte Bolovanu at their Samburesti estate in Olt County.
4. Vinarte Bolovanu
Just as the name Vinarte conjures up beautiful, romantic images of wine in my mind, so do their wines. Romania's Vinarte perhaps had that goal in mind when they chose this name. Vinarte has three wine estates, which are located in Romania's most important wine regions: Samburesti – Olt County, Zoresti, Dealu Mare – Buzau County, and Terase Danubiene – Mehedinti County. It was indeed a pleasure for me to return to Vinarte and learn more about their wines.
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| November 2017, Castel Bolovanu Vineyard, Vinarte Bolovanu © Spaswinefood |
The vine-growing region where Vinarte's Castel Bolovanu vineyard is located, is one of the oldest and most beautiful in Romania. Returning to Vinarte Bolovanu brought back memories of an earlier August 2016 visit. Both visits were with #winelover friends.
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August, Castel Bolovanu Vineyard © Spaswinefood
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While at Vinarte Bolovanu, an estate of 60 hectares, we toured the vineyard, winery and did a wine tasting with our Vinarte host, Ion Treantă.
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| Diana Translating for Ion, Vinarte Bolovanu © Spaswinefood |
Touring a wine estate with #winelover friends is always fun. The Romanian #winelover community goes the extra mile to make visiting #winelovers feel at home. Vinarte's Castel Bolovanu Vineyard specializes in growing Cabernet Sauvignon.
From Vinarte Bolovanu it was onwards to Bucharest.
Memories of A #Winelover Day in Bucharest
Given memories are meant to be revisited, I will share memories of a most delightful day in Bucharest. Our Bucharest day included a wine tasting over lunch at the Tasting Room Gastro Wine Bar, and a #Winelover Hangout.
Tasting Room Gastro Wine Bar
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| Liliac Wines, Tasting Room Gastro Bar © Spaswinefood |
The Gastro Wine Bar was a great choice. Put this wine bar on your list if you plan to visit Bucharest.
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| #Wine Conversations, Tasting Room Gastro Bar © Spaswinefood |
While we enjoyed a delicious lunch, we tasted a few wines.
#Winelover Hangout
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| #Winelover Hangout, Bucharest © Spaswinefood |
A #winelover hangout in Bucharest is not to be missed. Given there were four #winelovers from the US, and it just before American Thanksgiving, our Romanian hosts made sure we did not go without turkey.
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| A #Winelover Feast, Bucharest © Spaswinefood |
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| A #Winelover Feast with Turkey © Spaswinefood |
Besides turkey the feast included many other tasty foods. Oh yes, there were wines!
What a day it was with #winelover friends. The last day of my #budapesttobucharest adventure, reminds this Spaswinefood enthusiast it was hard to beat #winelover adventures in Romania. Moreover, it is always a pleasure to travel with #winelover friends from around the world.
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#Winelovers, Bucharest, Romania © Spaswinefood
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It is because of the #winelover community and Luis Alberto who founded #winelover that such opportunities exist. In addition,
I would like to give special thanks to Razvan Stoenescu and George Wine, for being such wonderful hosts during our vine-filled #winelover explorations in Romania. I invite you to join me in my travels in Romania and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
Sharon
November 2017
Bucharest, Romania
© Spaswinefood
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#Winelovers, Bucharest Hangout, November 2017 © Spaswinefood
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