The Romanian Way of life

The most difficult thing for me, as a native Romanian living in Romania with many contacts abroad, is to speak about this country named Romania. I confess, I like this country, I love these people. If you ask me "why" I will strive to give you a reasonable decent answer. Other times, depending on my disposition, I don't love so much Romania anymore, but on the contrary.

A Romanian house to the countryside is traditionally very closed and very intimate; everyone strives to do all what he needs by himself

So, I can't rely on my my opinions. Shall I believe what the strangers I know would say, Romania is a piece of heaven. Again, some expats living in Romania have very good words about it. One important thing making Romanian so huge different comparing to other nations is the half of the population living to the countryside. They help each other, are very solidary and unit, but keep a strong intimacy inside their courtyard. And every house must be almost independent, doing all they need by themselves. Very healthy, they are totally against fast food. And this Romanian food smells and tastes otherwise comparing with everything you want!

A wedding is a perfect opportunity for three days feasting, even if not all brides are EBA, the daughter of the Romanian President Traian Basescu

 For the Romanians the food belongs rather to fabulous, than to normally physiologic needs. During the communist times there were often shortages to the basic aliments, and nevertheless appeared a lot of cooking books. It was maybe a form of resistance through culture, or a sort of black humor. The food is near humor, a major peak of Romanian survival technique. The food precedes and causes sex in a ritual way, also being able to transcend the all day in an unearthly mystical experience.

Right pairing the wine and the food is an art, but you know already a lot from it. Keep practising and search the best Romanian wines.

The big party meal once started, nothing and no one can stop it, this is the Romanian way of life! And when the right wine comes, it is really an event. The good feasts (e.g. weddings) used to last three days long with exquisite food, good wines and dancing, of course. Nowadays, this tradition goes on and Christmas and Eastern the hospitals are full of people having sick of the alimentary excess. I invite you to discover this way of life, it is worth your attention.

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Special offer for August

I have gotten another surprise/ proposition for you, which represents a special offer for August, and namely a trip at high altitude, in the Fagaras mountains, the highest romaniawide.

Transfagarasan Road is a place of intense and savage beauty

There are more things doing this trip so special:
-I strove to obtain a bargain, and hope to have succeeded
-this road is opened only in July and August, you have to hurry up, in order to find it opened! There are places of a savage beauty, impossible to ride bikes.
-I included a wine tasting, a special surprise for wine afficionado

No chance to ride bikes on Tranfagarasan, maybe with the exception of very well skilled and trained bikers

The necessary details here under.

First Day: Arrival in Bucuresti/Bucharest
    Arrival at Bucharestairport in the afternoon. Meeting with the English speaking guide and transfer to Curtea de Arges, former medieval capital of Wallachia. Lunch en route. Visit the Episcopal Church where the Romanian Kings are buried. Few kilometers away from Curtea de Arges are the ruins of so called real Castle of Vlad Tepes, better known as Dracula, and the stunning views of Arges Valley and Transfagarasan, the unique road running at 2 034m above the sea level, are worth the pain of climbing the 1 480 steps. The trip would not be complete without the stop to the 166m high Vidraru Dam with the gigantic monument of Electricity, located 4 km further.We continue our trip by visiting Vidraru Dam built on Arges river, in Fagaras Mountains. It is one of the most imortant in the country, and many cities depend on it,  but it also offers great views . Stately mountains, shy water falls and green trees, almost all year long. Dinner and accommodation in a good hotel near the dam.   Second Day: Transfagaras Mountain Road

   This entire day we will discover the wild panoramic scenery that Romaniaoffers. The road called Transfagarasan was built between 1970 and 1974, during the rule of Nicolae Ceauşescu, mainly with military forces. A journey on this road will offer you dramatic views and breathtakingly beautiful places. Passing by the Balea Glacial Lake (2034 m altitude, through the longest road tunnel in Romania (884 m) and having the most tunnels and viaducts than any other road in Romania, Transfăgărăşanul is one attraction that must not be missed. The road became even more popular when the crew from Top Gear filmed a show on the Trasfăgărăşan, in September 2009. The host of the show, Jeremy Clarkson said that Transfăgărăşan should have the title of the best road in the world, and that they were mistaken when they gave the StelvioPass in Italy this title. This panoramic scenery is also host the movie Ghost Rider 2. We continue our trip to Fagaras. Here we will discover Fagaras Fortress, the most impressive monument of the town, and the core around which the town was actually built. Ladislaw Kanstarted to built it in 1310 on the former place of a 12th century wooden fortress strengthened by earthen walled fortifications. The former fortress had been burned down by the Tartars in 1241. The fort was enlarged and rebuilt in the 15th-17th centuries in the Transylvanian Renaissance style and came to be known, alongside with Deva, as one of the strongest fortifications in Transylvania. Dinner and accommodation in a good  hotel.   Third Day: Brasov/Kronstadt-Bran / Dracula Castle-Sinaia

   In the morning, drive on to Brasov, formerly Kronstadt, founded in the 12-th Century  by the Saxon colonists. Walking tour through the old town centre, including the Black Church, the Council Square, the Hirsch house, the baroque style buildings from the Habsburg Imperial times. Continue to Bran to visit the medieval castle built as a fortress - The "Dracula's" Castle (1377). Drive across the mountains to Sinaia, named the "Pearlof the Carpathians". Stop in Azuga for a wine tasting. Dinner and accommodation in a good hotel in Sinaia   Fourth Day: Bucuresti/Bucharest   After the breakfast, visit the famous Peles Castle the most famous royal residence in Romania, that was built between 1875 and 1883 – when it was officially opened. Walking tour in Sinaia and transfer to Bucharestairport.
End of our services.      Included services:
3x Halfbord in good Hotels in Romania
Air-conditioned car (for 2 pax), van, minibus or coach for all the above itinerary and program
English-speaking guide throughout (for parties of 2-6 pax the guide will also drive)
All entrance fees to museums and sites included in the program

Important: Transfagarasan road is open only in July and August !   Price starts from 2 Persons: 
from 299,- Euro/Person in Doubleroom
from 389,- Euro/Person in Singleroom

For booking until 15th of August you will receive 5% discount and a special present!
  

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Romanian sorts of wine

As Romania has a long history in the wine branch with a lot of myths and popular beliefs, the Romanian wines have also some special properties, making them simply unique. That shall not mean that in the Romanian leading restaurants you won't wine the French Bordeaux or the Porto, or the Spanish Madera.

No, on the contrary. The Romanian oenologists, someliers and professional tasters are open minded, for sure. If you are addicted to that drops, o.k., they will strive to give you that special drops. But they will give you also the possibility to taste and even to drink some precious Romanian drops. And believe, you have a wide choice.

Cabernet Sauvignon

First of all, in many restaurants you can find the house wine. This is normally only a particular sort of wine, coming directly from the producer, unbottled and costing only 3 Euros per Liter (unbelievable cheap, I would say, if you agree! And I would please to take profit of it!). Paired with the right food, will be delightful. This way of life is very popular in Romania, similar with other wine countries.

Casselas is rather a table grape, you don't make  wine of it

Second, is something history related. After 2000 years of wine making, by the beginning of the XXth century an insect destroyed all the old Romanian vineyards, causing huge damages to the producers. All a few vineyards survived, with the toughest varieties of grapes, which I am going to mention under. The destroyed vineyards have been replaced by foreign sorts (see also under) which must be very familiar to you.

Merlot, please!

Shortly and briefly, let's mention all the sorts of wine you can find in the Romanian vineyards. And let's start with the old Romanian varieties:
Feteasca (young girl wine) is available as white, black and royal. The white one is a yellow-greenish wine, dried or half dried, depending of the harvesting time and the upcoming treatments, also fruity and velvety.The Royal one, also known as Transylvania yellow or Danasana is a little acid, wit a discreet flavor (the flavor of wood flowers)
Grasa de Cotnari- has a long tradition in Romania, and was mentioned even on the Medium Age of Stephen the Great. Excellent wine, rich flavor, pleasant bouquet.
Babeasca (old maiden wine) is a an old wine wine; dark red, strong and nervous. It is not actually recommended for the old maiden, but for their partners!
Francusa- white easy wine, with a long tradition
Tamaioasa Romaneasca- fruity, sweet, fine

The international wine sorts must be much more familiar to you, I am not going to insist on them:
-Aligote is a well balanced wine. Very fruity, very tasty.
-Muscat Ottonel a white desert wine, with a discreet flavor
-Muscadell-similar to the French Sauvignon, is an easy flavor wine
-Pinot gris, even better results in Romania than in France
-Merlot
-Pinot Noir

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How to produce a good wine and how to keep it right

You like wine, don't you? I love them too, that's why we are here as wine afficionados, as I like to repeat! At least in this point we all agree!

The grape, if you allow me

First of all, may be you are not sufficiently aware that wine, different from other alcoholic or non alcoholic drinks, is a living organism. If you are very aware while tasting or drinking wine, you can observe it. Watch it in the glass, it breathes. Smell it, taste it, enjoy it, it is really necessary to do so if you wanna get the best from your wine.

Did you ask probably more that once what makes a good wine ? The soil, the climate, the sortiment, the way of cutting the plantation. Everything counts, for sure, and here in Romania we have the best conditions for making some excellent wines. If you wish to set up your own vineyard, bear in mind some facts: you got the best grapes in the vineyards with an yearly average temperature of  more 10 degrees Celsius, with 1500 hours of sun exposure and rain fall of 400-600 liters per quadrat meters.

Further, the agricultural works play an important role. There are works on the ground, as also works on the vine; fighting diseases; harvesting at the right moment etc.

Still interested to set up a vineyard or to get one (for Romania I can get you some information) ? If yes, go to the point: you have the grapes, you must press them now (supposing, just supposing). You can still give up and buy o bottle of good Romanian wine, as you can find it in many places on Earth.(Berlin, Paris, Manchester to name just a few, ask me further if you want.).

This feeder helps crushing the membranes

Nevertheless, nothing compares with making and marketing your own wine, so let's go further! From 1 kg grapes you will get 0,7-0,8 litres of must. 60 % of it will flow almost naturally, and the rest on the press. There is a huge difference between the white and the red wine. For the white, you must separate the grape from its bunch and membranes; on the contrary, for the big Reds you need a good color and a strong flavor. You can get them by crushing first the grapes and allowing them a short fermentation of 2-3 days, without separation of the bunches or the membranes.

We will continue next time our adventure in the world of wine. The best, come in September to Romania and take part to    the new crop and you will understand more.

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A short history of the wine in Romania

        Raising grapes in vineyards is an old occupation of the mankind, broadly speaking. The old Chaldeans. Egyptians, Greeks and Romans raised grapes and were very aware about making wine, which represented an important asset for every country. Also, the Dacs, ancient inhabitants of the today Romania, had a special taste and tradition for wine. The vineyards represented for sure one of their  most important riches! They used to drink wine in ox horn, or even from human heads. During the Big King Burebista, he took the decision to destroy all the vineyards, being consulted by the big Priest Deceneu. The explanations are quite simple: on one hand, the vineyards made Dacia very atractive for migrants and Romans; on the other hand, the wine drunk with no measure made the Dacs lazzier!

        Nevertheless, when the Romans came to Dacia and conquered it, they found huge vineyards! The Romans brought in Dacia new grapes sortiments, as new methods of cut and wine manufacturing. Afterwards, in the coming centuries, the grapes and the wine represented a main occupations of the locals. Raising grapes never stopped in Romania up to now, neither during the Othoman occupation. The Romanian grapes and wine were very well known in all Europe, and local vineyards from Dragasani, Cotnari, Odobesti, Dealul Mare, Mufatlar, Cotesti very appreciated. I insert  here a contemporary  map of the Romanian vineyards, for your information; the location of the vineyards has not significantly changed since centuries, and you can observe them on the map.

         As you can see, there are many vineyards in Romania, a lot of wine to drink. There are white, red, black and roze wines; there are sweet desert wines, dry or medium dry wines, and there are also budget or premium wines. As you know already, I organize trips to one or more of these vineyards. These wine tours last from 3-4 days to two weeks, for a complet wine tour of Romania.

        About drinking wine, the opinions are divided. Some doctors don't allow any drop of wine! Nevertheless, it has been clinically proved, that the daily consumption of 1-2 glasses of wine makes the life longer (and much nicer, don't forget!). The ancient Greek doctor Hipocrates used to say, that "the wine is a wonderful balanced drink for any man, health or ill, but only if  administrated at the right time and according to individual constitution".

        Nowadays, Romania proudly counts 300 000 hectars of vineyards, being among the first 10 wine producers worldwide. Bellow a more detailed map, choose your favorite vineyard! Further is so simple, tell me about your taste preferences, and we can organize something for sure.

Romanian Vineyards which you can visit!

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How to taste the young wine

The new young wine, also named must, is quite special. Not yet wine, but very close to it. Very unstable, like a baby; as it grows and matures, many diseases can hurt it.

The young wine diet, paired with the grapes diet, is very healthy as the young wine is so rich on antioxydants.  Actually, is one of the best naturally known antioxydants, and I can warmly recommend it to you. But you need only to take some precautions: the combination between must and grapes is an efficient purgative, you need a trained stomach! Not everyone can respect it. Be aware of it, and and don't exceed your personal limit.

Start your diet with no more than a glass of young wine to every meal, associated with one half kilo grape daily. After one week, if no side effects appear, you may increase the over mentioned amount.The best time and place for this special diet is of course, a vineyard by harvesting grapes (in Romania it starts in the middle of August and lasts until the end of October. I can even give you a secret tip: take part to the harvesting (grapes picking). May be not like a local peasant who is payed for it ( it is hard work, believe me! I have done it for many years. You need to be very fit if you want to do it!), but at least I strongly recommend you to live in a vineyard one or two weeks.I can organize it, for sure.

It is really spoiling your senses. The leaves change their color, and make the sight very spectacular. The smell  and taste are  also spoiled because of the grapes, the young wine, or the older wines (don't forget, you are in a vineyard, and every farmer is very proud about the qualities of his products. And is very pleased sharing them with you, this is really hospitality I'd say).

After this trip you will be surely richer (not at all because the money you can earn,Sir!) but because that spectacular atmosphere and the benefits for your health. Simply an experience you may not lose or refuse.

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Basic rules for pairing food and drinks

You know, for the success of a meal, you must think in advance about the menu and about the drinks (mainly wines, if you ask me!) pairing with your dishes.
According to my experience, there are some basic rules about it, which are very generally and apply not only in Romania, but also anywhere else in the world, maybe with a few local alterations.
1.For the hors d'oeuvres you can try some appetizers, but also dry normal or sparkling wines. But let it be dry, for sure!
2.For the soups, cream soups or borsh you don't need necessary to pair them with wine; exception, the fish soups where you can use a strong dry white wine. In Romania you find these wines in the vineyards from Moldova and Transylvania.

3.For the fish,craw fish and shells I normally recommend a white wine; but won't say no to a good roze wine!
4.Pair mushrooms with half dry white wine, any other combination is wrong!
5.For the main dishes use the red wines (say it in Romanian: vin rosu). For the white meat, the light red wines; for the red meat use heavier more consistent wines; keep the best reds for the hunting meat.
6.If you use a sort of wine to the cooking of a certain dish, never forget to offer it to the dinner together with that dish!
7.For the cheese use further the  wine of the main dish, the red one.
8.For the desert use use young wine ( or must) if available; also possible to use sweet flavored wines, as Muscat Ottonel!

8. Serve always the lighter wine before the heavier consistent ones; also the first should be the young wine (must).
9.For a normal meal, you don't need more than two sorts of wine, a white one and a red one. On special occasions and sophisticated meals is permitted the third sort of wine; choice it according the upper rules.
10.No matter how many sorts of wine you offer, try not to go beyond the limits of a normal consumption (which is between half and one liter).
My basic rules and recommendations turned to be a Decalogue!Try to respect it if you want that everything go smoothly while your celebration!

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