Wines from Romania

Land of Opportunities (with a capital 'O') as a wine journo once described Romania. 6th largest wine producing country  (after France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Germany), Romania has about 190,000 hectares of vineyards planted, and a history going back almost 6,000 years. so it shouldn't be a surprise that they make a LOT of wine, and a lot of it is rather good.

Planted with a fine mix of local grape varieties such as Feteasca Negra and Regala, Romania also grows a lot of international varieties, such as Cabernet, Pinot, Merlot, Sauvignon etc, much of which is exported. Winemaking has been revolutionised (a word you should use sparingly in this Eastern Bloc State) by the influx of new winemakers from Australia, France, Chile etc, as well as adventurous sons and daughters of Romanian wine families who have travelled and now use their new-found techniques and skills to bring about a sea change of winemaking in this once darkly Communist state. I can honestly say that Romanian Pinot Noir is a joyful glass of red vibrancy, and their Syrah - Wow - a bargain! And please don't disregard their local grape varieties - the local Feteasca Regala tastes like a Viognier on steroids, and the red Feteasca Neagra is like a joyful union of Pinot, Grenache and Merlot. Enjoy!!