Romanian Wines, by Andrew Walker, Solaris Wines. 17 August 2023
This months presentation was on Romanian Wines. Romania is a fairly large producer of wine – about the same as Portugal. It has been making wine since pre-Roman times. However, as it was and still is a relatively poor country together with the malign influence of communism, it has struggled in the last century due to lack of organisation and investment. That is slowly changing, and is now starting to make decent wines which can be succesfully exported. Nonetheless, the majority of its wine production stays in Romania. An interesting point if you are a rare grape hunter (like me!) there are quite a few Romanian native varieties, not at all well known in the west. There are 4 here.
Andrew has been in the Wine trade for many years and relatively recently decided to set up on his own as Solaris Wines www.solariswines.co.uk/
Romanian wines we see in this country tend to be more the bulk/budget pinot noirs at the large supermarkets. These wines are the other end of the scale, premium wines.
White
Prince Stirbey Brut Rose (sparkling, Grape - Novac) 2013. 12% £20
Prince Stirbey Cramposie Selectionata 2021 13% £14
Oliver Bauer Rhine Riesling 2018 11.5% £16
Sweet White
Prince Stirbey Tamaioasa Dulce 2021 10.5% £16
Red
Oliver Bauer Pinot Noir 2019 14.5% £20
Prince Stirbey Novac Sec 2019 14% £18
Prince Stirbey Negru Dragasani Rezerva 2018 15% £18
Prince Stirbey Merlot Rezerva 2012 14.5% £28
Top wine of the night – The Negru Draganasi rezerva.
