Most Renowned Romanian Vineyards

 The wine is the healthiest and most hygienic drink, used to say Louis Pasteur, the world renowned French scientist. It is probably one of the rare says never changed by history and medicine.

Most renowned Romanian Vineyards

Many historians and botanists agree that the birthplace of vineyards and wine making must be searched in the old Tracia, partially covered by the today Romania; they also agree that vineyards are older than other branches of agriculture, dating back to impressive 8000 years ago. We have a good tradition here in Romania in producing good quality wines, as in developing a certain culture of wine drinking.

Drinking wine is not so simple. We have here in Romania a certain civilization and culture of wine

I do not wish to promote drinking, any misuse or abuse is really a danger for anybody's health. But everywhere in the world, with small differences due to the local culture, drinking one or more glasses of wine daily is socially accepted. As wine and beer are the only drinks accepted as food, we should further limit to these things only. Let's compare the event of drinking a glass of wine vs. drinking a glass of beer. The wine is no doubt stronger and has more to do with celebration and enjoying life. We really enjoy life here in Romania, and love to share it. Drinking a glass of wine is not so simple. Don't drink it if you are thirsty, never pair it with fast food. Evaluate it with all your  senses, trying to imagine all the work necessary from the grape to the drink in your glass. Watch it carefully, hear it, smell it and taste it. Listen to its secret story, it is a gift of God and of the people who cared about it.

Tasting wine in Romania can find place in some exotic places, e.g. in a former salt mine

A fabulous Romanian scientist and a great spirit, namely Grigore Moisil, used to say that any people is entitled to a glass of wine. After having drunk it, he turns to be another people. Really an endless circle, don't take it really!

This tradition and culture of wine is very useful in the today Romania, which is among the first ten producers worldwide. Older and newer vineyards are dotted all around is this fantastic country of us. No matter corner of city of Romania would you like to visit, you will find within at least 50 km a renowned vineyards, waiting for your visit. Take it, grab it, don't hesitate. No matter the season, take a walk inside the vineyard and feel the secret energy of the land. It is useful to follow it while tasting. This short visit is of course most interesting and spectacular in autumn, during vintage. And then start the tour of the bigger or smaller vineyards with their more or less secret cellars, and don't try to dry them out through finishing all the reserves. The locals are able to talk, and talk, and talk about their wines for hours and days, it is a show of it own.

Carul cu Bere/The Beer Car is one of the best restaurants offering wine tasting

Romania's biggest vineyard stretches on the spectacular hills from Panciu-Odobesti-Cotesti. Neverending surfaces, when the grape simply turns to monoculture with all the risks. Great landscapes, great views, great wines. Taste Galbena de Odobesti, Sarba, Cabernet Sauvignon and Muscat Otonel to get the spirit of the place.

Probably the oldest Romanian vineyard is Cotnari, producing the same wine since centuries. Already renowned in Middle Age, the sorts of Tamaioasa, Francusa or Grasa are still in use and production today, allowing a noble experience.

Much younger, but also huge and by no means worse is the vineyard from Murfatlar, enjoying an excellent soil and more sun than anywhere else in Romania. Best results are made here with Chardonay.

Other reputated names to remember: Valea Calugareasca, Samburesti, Niculitel, Teremia, Jidvei/Tarnave, Lechinta etc. Will come back with details soon, stay in touch and book a wine tour, or a Romanian Tour!

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Knowing  Romania in style

There are many possibilities for traveling in Romania with style (Btw: What is actually traveling in style? I understand hereby traveling in luxury, to be clear from the beginning! In order to refine this definition, what is luxury, we might have different approaches!).

Visiting The Medieval Fortress of Sighisoara is really stylish and chic

You won't find luxury exquisite hotels in every corner of Romania, but you can bet to find in the big cities. For Bucharest is even difficult to make the right selection from the wide offer. But I can still manage giving you the best advice with some insider tips, resulting from my long experience.

Traveling in style means for the men for sure wine tasting, while the women have a soft spot for spa.

1. A good solution for the both would be ***Hotel Continental Targu Mures, offering since short time a special wine tasting in a salt mine. The atmosphere while the wine tasting in that salt mine is special, yet really fabulous. It is actually one of The Europe's biggest salt mines, nowadays not working any more. Even if the hotel doesn't have a spa center, the ladies can enjoy a special package, known as Women Muz Capriccio, when they will be really spoiled.

2.Not far, in Sighisoara, at Binder Bubi ****, you can find a spa, and even a good one. Besides, Sighisoara is one of the best destination for traveling in style, with its amazing Medieval fortress, being the unique in all Europe still populated. Visiting the fortress is in my opinion really chic and stylish.Service and kitchen in Binder Bubi are convincing and alluring, enjoy them both! Wine tasting in restaurant or in the neighborhood, at Butoiul Sasului!

The exquisite hotel Athenee Palace Hilton Bucharest has a long tradition behind, but also a glorious present!

3. Bucharest is a totally separate discussion, and I would like to recommend a traditional hotel, namely Ahenee Palace Hilton, located in the center of Bucharest, showing style in all details. Make your shopping in the exquisite boutiques from Calea Victoriei, which are anything else than cheap, and meet the Romanian Capital through long walking tours. Observe its stylish parks and fountains, visit Bucharest Museum. You can fill your time with most exciting activities and events, this city could draw your attention weeks and months.

4. In the Romanian mountains is totally in to ski in Poiana Brasov/Schulerau, as the renowned winter festival EYOWF is over. Consequently, you can find excellent offers. On Prahova Valley other exquisite targets would be in Predeal the hotels Orizont **** or Piemonte****

Hotel Malibu in Mamaia is one of the newest and best on the Romanian shore

5.For the coming summer there are a few luxury destinations on the Romanian Black See Coast, directly on the beach, but not far from the beloved clubs from Mamaia. The Hotels Malibu and Yaki are the best choices for that matter!

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Most important things to know about Danube Delta

Old and new are perfectly mixing in Danube Delta. It is actually the newest land in Europe, but hosts some old antique cities and fortress, e.g. Tulcea or Sulina. Danube Delta is a huge overwhelming surface of soil and water mixing perfectly, but also fighting one against others. Add the fire put often by the locals in Autumn in the reed fields to get better pieces of land and you have all the elements.

Danube Delta is really amazing and impressive through its unbelievable landscapes, rich flora and fauna with many endemic or endangered species. It is the biggest in Europe, if we forget the Volga's, and simultaneously one of the most original, spectacular and richest in the all world. You simply can't neither call it land, is it actually a huge marsh; nor you can't call it water, as all the lakes are covered with vegetation. And this vegetation is so rich, genuine and divers, almost tropical, making it totally unusual for Romania. Call it simply Danube Delta, it is an amazing paradise, half water, half land with a rich network of main arms and small channels. From time to time or in a few places you can find water lilies, if you are lucky enough, or pelicans or other rare species.

Tulcea is one of the best starting places in your Delta discovery trip

Before giving birth to its wonderful Delta, the Danube travels in all Europe almost 4000 km. Its journey starts in Germany, from an unsignificant water source. It goes through many countries and three interesting European Capitals: Vienna, Budapesta and Belgrade. You can cruise the Danube all along, there are a few company offering such tours, but if have not so much time to your disposal, go and see at least the Danube Delta. You can do it on a budget or in style, but you must simply do it, all your efforts will be rewarded beyond your imagination.

Most of the Danube Delta is actually a depression, subject to massive flood in Spring. Totally conventional and for scientific purposes, we make a difference between the river Delta, and the maritim Delta, according to the most influential elements. A demarcation line between these areas is Letea-Caraorman-Crasnicol-Perisor. The depression lies at 0,3 meters bellow the sea level, and is dotted with higher pieces of land, actually fixed or floating islands. On the Letea island the landscape is almost alien, due to the sand dunes gathered by the strong winds and then covered with rich vegetation. Unusual Mediteran species live in perfect harmony with the local oak.

The Letea  forest is one of the best kept protected area inside Danube Delta

The real master of the Danube delta are not the tourists, as you might think, but the birds! More than 300 species, very difficult to name and recognize for a city freak live here all year long or only the half of it. Observe and visit  inside the Danube Delta, which is totally a recognized natural reserve the protected area of the already above mentioned Letea forest, or Rosca-Buhaiova-Hrecisca, and also the notorious nesting or passing areas for the birds.

Pelicans in the Danube Delta are a must see, you are going to find and discover them for sure.

You can reach the Romanian Danube Delta by air, landing in Tulcea, by sea, coming from Constanta, by car in Tulcea etc. Anyway, you must remember: car access is prohibited and almost impossible in mostly all Delta. Whether you arrive by car or by plane in Tulcea, you must make a ship cruise to completely discover and  unveil the secret beauties of the Delta. During the cruise you are going to have an epic wine tasting on the ship, with a few wines from the area.

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Best Romanian Champagne and champagne based cocktails

If you are in Romania, a wine land after all, you are supposed to drink the Romanian wines, and I have been trying to convince you about their qualities since one year online and offline. There are for sure between the many Romanian wines something special for the ladies, younger or older. Nevertheless, the ladies don't give happy so easily, they need sparkling wines, they need Champagne.

You can find in Romania exquisite local sparkling wines, also known as Champagne. There are many legends  about champagne, one of them is simply fantastic: the french king Louis XIVth and his favorite glassware designer set the wonderful form of the Champagne cup based on the perfect breast of the fascinating Marie Antoinette.

The small town of panciu, also known as the town among the  vineyards

A good Romanian Champagne is Zarea, but a much better one is Panciu. Panciu lies 25 km away fro, Focsani, not far from Odobesti, on the Wine road as described before. The company Veritas lead by Mr Adrian Toma is a big wine producer, but also an important Champagne producer. Despite the huge marketing difficulties, which forced them to reduce production, they are still on the market. You can take part there to a wine tasting, while your beloved half can take part to a Champagne tasting (three sorts available). Believe me, it is better not to interfere during these very pleasant moments. Besides, it is the best possible foreplay! You can prove by yourself, and your wife will also be able to confirm, the Champagne from Panciu is better than Zarea, but very difficult to get in Romania. It is practically not to find in any supermarket, as the production is not big enough to cover the growing demand. Once there in Panciu, please use the opportunity to take more bottles with you, making your wife very happy!

general manager of veritas Panciu, Mr Adrian Toma, working in the caves of Stephen the Great

The General Manager Adrian Toma allows the bottles of Champagne to maturate one year long in the historic caves of Stefan cel Mare/ Stephen the Great. They do a good job there, let youself convince, don't need to believe me! The same Adrian Toma gave me a pic, remembering a legendary Champagne based cocktail, called Air Mail. When this cocktail was created at 1949 the Air mail was the fastest and safest way to send your letters; in the same way this excellent combination will tranfer you in another Universe. Nowadays we could name it rather email!

But, in order to be shortly and get the to the point, in the same way this cocktail does, take please 150 ml Brut Champagne; 60 ml golden rum; 1 spoon honey and 15 ml lime juice. Mix first in the shaker a few ice cubes, the lime juice, the rum and the honey. Pour this mix in a Collins glass, and don't dare to filtrate. Complete with the Champagne, and enjoy.

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Must see in Romania: Craiova

The city of Craiova is doubtless a regional Capital of Oltenia, Romanian province. Which is maybe the most Romanian provinces of all, and the Romanians from this province are much more passionate and hot blooded, comparing with other provinces, like Transilvania and Moldavia.

Downtown of Craiova at night, with spectacular fountain and the monumental City Hall. Also spectacular in daylight. and a magnetic target for a long walk, among locals and tourists

The people of Oltenia have something special, you can't get in other parts of the country. They are very proud, they are very patriots and have a special sense of humor, and all these things make them a favorite subject of the popular jokes. They speak quickly and ue a special form of past Tense, making them so easy to recognize. Oltenia and Craiova gave some distinguished personalities to the Romanian and  Universal history. 

Mihai Viteazul (Michael the Brave) was first a ban of Craiova, and after Ruler of all Wallachia. He even succeed unifying for the first time all the Romanian countries (Wallachia, Moldavia and Transilvania)

In Middle Age the province of Oltenia has been ruled by the Craiovescu family, from Craiova of course. They hold the title of bans, and were entitles to make coins with their faces (and today, ban in Romanian means money!).Earlier, in the antic Roman times, on these places has been settled the fortress of Pelendava, due to the excellent regional position, to the middle of the way between mountains and Danube.

St Dumitru Church is a brillant example of Architecture

Today, is really a pleasure living in Craiova, and an event to visit it. The local park is one of the most beautiful Romaniawide, while the Art Museum one of the richest. Besides, you have so many things to do in Craiova: e.g a long walk in the Downtown, admiring the old Architecture (e.g. Madona Dudu church, City Hall, National college, the equestrian statue of Michael the Brave, a Romanian national hero. You can find also a leading Romanian National Theatre, and if you are lucky you can even get a show of Tudor Gheorghe, very well known and beloved Romanian Composer and Singer. Tudor Gheorghe is an amazing one man show, holding a full hall in his hand for hours.

From Craiova you can make shorter or longer trips in the neighborhood. Visit Targu Jiu and trive on Transalpina, offering you a unique panorama of the mountains, and reach Transilvania and Sibiu. A special mention for Ranca, a winter resort, where you can ski. Another possible short trip, also in the mountains, is Petrosani and Valea Jiului. If you are not a mountain freak, bag you pardon: go in the opposite direction, to the Danube, in the port of Calafat. And if you are in the mood to combine the mountain and the water, look for Drobeta Turnu Severin and Portile de Fier (Iron Gates), which offer memorable landscapes. Very near is also the vineyard from Segarcea, where we can organize wine tasting.

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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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Best accommodation and meals in Romania

For visiting such a nice country like Romania you need an accommodation. If you are on a business trip, or your time is short, you have the normally first choice: big luxury hotel in a big city like Bucharest, Sibiu, Iasi etc. They have good standards and strive to maintain them. Amazing, the prices for accommodation and meals are comparable with the Western Europe prices, and it is really difficult to find a good accommodation  in the peak season under 60 Euros (nevertheless, please contact me for such a delicate thing, as I can give you all the necessary insider tips).

A luxury hotel is a good solution when visiting Romania  if you are in a hurry  and not on a budget

For the meals, never forget my secret tips: you can usually find the best offer in little restaurants or inns, under the name Meniul zilei: for 3 Euros you get a good three courses menu! This is one of the things keeping Romania attractive for the professional budget travelers!

Meniul Zilei for 3 Euros is probably the cheapest way to  eat  in Romania

Another tip for a traveler in Romania having more time and not staying necessary on a budget is the accommodation in little pensions scattered all over the country, but mainly in Bucovina, Bran, Sibiu. The human contacts you can find are really amazing, as the unforgettable meals you can get ( smelling and tasting fantastic, as are mainly green products). Thus you can meat a farmer, or a craftsman or even a country teacher who will be very happy hosting you and earning also something with this occasion! In the communist times these human contacts has been banned and punished by the Securitate, but today  this is one of the blossoming industries in Romania. Finding these places is not difficult: watch after "cazare" or "Zimmer frei" in the most important touristic attractions, airports, railways etc. Even here there is a huge difference between the established pensions and the locals with some free rooms concerning the conditions of lodging and prices (between 15-40 Euros). Take all the information needed when choosing a room: go and see it, ask for the agreement from the Ministry of Tourism ( preferable) and affiliation to associations and networks, avoiding the unpleasant surprises.

A pension offers board and lodging, and very pleasant human contacts

Camping places in Romania are for sure very cheap, but overcrowded on week ends and in the peak season (July-August). Not very many, you can find them in the hills or on the Black Sea coast. The Romanian go there in mass for longer stays. Don't have big expectations from the sanitation, they are underdimensioned and not properly maintained. You have also the chance to find the wooden houses, offering a minimum comfort and a limited intimacy. For the mountains freaks looking their ways in the Carpathians, there a few chalets offering shelter. Some of them are easy reachable, other not,offering a complete isolation; mostly are closed during winter.

In Bucovina, Neamt or near Horezu the monasteries offer shelter for the pilgrim. The offer is not very wide, the little number of beds is always not sufficient. You have quiet, peace, wonderful landscape, very low prices, but don't expect to a warm welcome. And never forget the night service, which can be noisy and unpleasant for the visitors.

A floating hotel is advisable in Danube Delta.

In the Danube Delta you can find the floating hotels, offering a good lodging for good prices, as also meals. And for those who are really on a tighten budget don't forget the youth hostels, where you can find sometimes big army dormitories of 10-20 beds

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The Romanian Mountains

The Romanian Carpathians are young and strong, but nor very high comparing to the Alps. The highest Romanian Peak, accessible from the Transfagarasan Road, is Moldoveanu and proudly measures 2521 meters. Climbing it you can feel literally with the head in the clouds, as the Romanian say for pie-eyed people. The ascension is not very difficult, you don't need an oxygen mask, but need nevertheless to take some precautions.

The Peak Moldoveanu  is the highest in Romania and the most spectacular. Not very difficult to climb, but you need nevertheless some precautions. Most important: don't drink wine while climbing!

Maybe Moldoveanu is the most spectacular Romanian peak, but the Romanian mountains, whether lived or savage, are a must for the people who appreciate that and look for adventures. They are usually full with forests, despite the massive cuts from the last years, and you can find many labelled paths, for your delights. There are also many cabins, some of them neglected and very primitive, while others are unexpected luxurious and expensive, judging the environment. In the Fagaras mountains, near the Transfagarasan Road, you can find in winter even an ice hotel. Staying there is a matter of taste indeed.

If we shall speak about the Romanian Carpathians, I won't forget to mention the terrific Transalpina Road

You can also observe the charming Romanian Carpathians from the car, or the bus, during a trip on the fantastic Transalpina Road, Bicaz Gorges, Suceava-Bistrita, or Rucar-Bran. Amazing in some areas, you will be able to observe the Millenial unchanged way of life of the shepherds, who climb the mountains in Spring with their flocks looking for good grass, and return only in autumn. They are stone strong, don't suffer on stress or depressions.

Lepsa in Vrancea County

Some mountains areas have developed themselves through building many pensions for the touristic crowds, and I must name a few: Bocovina, Rucar-Bran, Tara motilor in the Apuseni Mountains, or Lepsa in Vrancea county.( wine tasting in Focsani, Panciu, Odobesti is a must)

A necessary mention for the Dobrogea Mountains, who will make you a sad philosopher. They measure only 700 Meters height nowadays and you can climb them very easy, but in their times of glory were higher than the Mount Blanc. Much older than the Carpathians, they are almost completely eroded now. Nearby, the vineyards from Niculitel.

Apuseni Mountains offers some unique landscapes

There are many things to do in the Romanian Carpathians, and you can get some magnificent landscapes with your camera. But during the climbing is not allowed to drink wine, don't forget. You can ask any further details at dorugiu@gmx.net, I still have some discounts for September.

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Romania at its best

Starting from The fore posted Bucharest Architectural Tours I thought it would be interesting for you to see and feel Romania at its best. So, I made a short selection of Romanian highlights, and of course, wine tasting will be also included (so, please, don't worry about it)

Bucharest is a charming mix of different Architecture styles, and a walk in the Downtown  is  a gift for booking up to 01.10.12

This Romanian vacation comprises 6 days, 5 nights of stay in a leading 3*** hotels in the heart of Bucharest. The most spoil of you could book only this stay at the special price of 295 Euros (comprising airport transfer and breakfast; no other meals or entrances fees included!). As bonus for booking in September, you will receive a free walking Architectural Tour in Bucharest downtown.

A wine tasting may never luck from  the Romania  higjlights

For the more active of you who also aim getting more from this vacation, I prepared a more generous package, including:
Day1: Arrival in Bucharest Airport, introduction to the guide, Hotel Transfer
Day2: Bucharest walking Architectural Tour in downtown(free bonus), followed by a visit in the wonderful Village Museum.
Day3:Trip to Niculitel and wine  tasting ( some of the best Romanian wines available here)
Day4:Trip in the Romanian Carpathians, visit of the Peles Museum  in Sinaia (former Residence of the Romanian Kings, nowadays turned to an amazing interesting Art Museum). Lunch in Sinaia.

The Peles Castle ids the former residence of the Romanian kings and nowadays  a leading Art collection

Day 5:Rest, relax., walking in Bucharest parks, shopping in Bucharest
Day6 : transfer to the Airport, goodbye kiss from Romania and the guide.

Maybe you noticed the special free bonus from me, The Bucharest Walking Architectural Tour in Downtown! This much more complete Romania Tour comprises 3 meals daily, all the trips and transfers, and all the Museums entrance fees, and mean only 670 Euros/person a place in single room!
Hope you will enjoy it, as other tourists and I also do, and keep in mind another important thing: this price include a special 5 % discount for booking up to 1.10.2012. For booking after this deadline the price will increase to 5 %. So, my tip, please hurry up!

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The characteristics of the Romanian wines

There are two ways to measure the qualities of a wine: physical and chemical laboratory analysis (a technical fairly unbiased  method) or testing through tasting (rather subjective, but much more beloved among specialists!). Through tasting we can appreciate smell, taste, bouquet, general aspect; while the lab analysis will result in measuring alcoholic concentration, acidity contents, sugar contents, presence or absence of foreign matters.

This is a pro, try to do the same

For the fine classification and appreciation of a specific wine, professional tasters and oenologists developped with the years a special subtle vocabulary, which can express the qualities or the failings of a certain wine. You must master this very special vocabulary, as you are not a beginner anymore!

These professionally tasters are  writing all there impressions, in order  to not influence each other!

In order to underline the general qualities of a wine one could say about that wine to be generous; robust; elegant; fruity; consistent; complete, accurate; original; vivid
-about the color of a wine: bright; intense; shining; living; clear
-about the finesse (or delicacy) : fine, pleasant, delicate; noble; velvety;  distinguished; sober; well balanced;firm; melodiously
-about the sugar content (to be completed by a lab analysis): dried; sweety; sweet; desert; liqourly
-about the bouquet and smell:perfumed; fruity; attractive, charming

For the defaults of a wine there are also a lot of sophisticated terms:
-generally:inconsistent; poor; unpleasant; bad balanced; heavy; dried; dull (or insipid)
-color:brown-ground; soft; weak

I must repeat, all these words are subject of individual judgement. In order to rely on them, when possible, they must be doubled by lab analysis.

A leading Romanian taster, Liviu Nedelea

The professional tastings are different in some points, comparing them to the normal tourist tastings. E.g. a professional tasting could be the occasion of proofing up to 20 different wine sortiments, which falls normally impossible to an untrained tourist! And this is the order of wines for professional tastings:
-white table wines, dried and half dried
-roze table wines, dried and half dried
-red table wine, dried and half dried
-white fine wines, dried and half dried
-roze fine wines, dried and half dried
-red fine wines, dried and half dried
-desert white wines, sweet and half sweet
-desert red wines, sweet and half sweet
-flavor wines (Muscats and Vermouths),dried, half dried and sweet
-pearl wines
-sparkling wines-bruts, dried, half dried and sweet

If you think worried to the liver of that taster, I must tell you a trick: they don't swallow a single drop, and spit the wine. Nevertheless, they become like tipsies due to the vapor and tongue absorption. I am also worry about your health and liver, and that's why I must say, it is not a career for you. Remain a normal man, and take part to the Romanian Wine Tour, it is the best for you.

           

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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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THE BEST ROMANIAN WINES

There is always a matter of individual taste, but also a matter of collective judgement. Someone might like the white wines, another stays for reds. In addition  comes the preparation ways, e.g. dry, medium dry and sweet with all their variations.

Another issue of individual taste: younger wine or older wines ( only a few wines can be drinked if older than 10 years). If you are tough indeed and if you know the basics about Romania and its wines, you can prefer one of its vineyards: Cotnari, Panciu-Odobesti, Murfatlar, Dealu Mare, Recas, Minis or even a special year.

But what about the vine varieties? Well, with any risk, but this is a long discussion, but we ought to have it! Thanks. First, there are the well known international varieties, needing no further presentation: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Ottonel, Riesling,Aligote, Hamburg Muscat, Chardonnay,Merlot,Cabernet Sauvignon. It was not easy adapting these varieties to the Romanian special conditions, but the tradition is now already 100 years old ! You will be maybe deep surprised drinking some of the best glasses of these noble assortment here in Romania, but I tell you that is normal!

Second, there are some traditional varieties, whose tradition goes 2000 years ago! They are rich, and tasty, they are very impressive, and you must prepare your visit and tasting in Romania knowing something about them:
1. Babeasca (Old Maid wine) is available in white and red.
2.Feteasca (Young Girl wine) also available in white and red.
According to the age of your partner, you should make the selection between Babeasca and Feteasca!
3.Cramposie
4.Frangusa
5.Sarba
I wasn't able to find any translation, and I am deeply sorry for it. Better drink and define them finding some similar with yours usually wines!

And finally something for the conaisseurs: there are some excellent old wines here around, starting with the collection of the former Romanian dictator Ceausescu (a wine afficionado, among others)! Also, in some secret hidden places you can find something really special: Aligote Bucium 1986; Pinot Noir Minis 1994; Cabernet Sauvignon Murfatlar 1937 (sic); Cadarca Minis 1970; Chardonnay Murfatlar 1938,1962, 1964; Merlot Murfatlar 1970; Sarba Valea Calugareasca 1970 etc. Cheers, dear friends, you are waited in Romania!

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Best temperatures for the wines

          The hot summer is surely and quickly coming with temperature which are in Romania near the 40 degrees Celsius. No one would like to drink hot wine, and neither hot water at this temperature! The question is how long shall we chill the wine, until what ideal temperature?

          There are some prescriptions you should remember (ideal temperature for wines to be served!)

easy white wines with high acidity                        8-10 degrees Celsius

white, aromatic,roze wines                                  10-12 degrees Celsius

easy red wines                                                    14-16 degrees Celsius

red heavy wines                                                   16-18 degrees Celsius

prestige red wines                                                18-20  degrees Celsius

            At these above mentioned temperatures the qualities of the listed wines are better  enhanced, and the imperfections hidden. On professional wine tasting in Romania or elsewhere, the temperatures are slightly different from the above table. 

             The best chilling is made in the refrigerator or in the cellar (ideal); for the quickly chilling in restaurant the most used method is the cooler, but you, or the personal, shall observe the forming layers, having different temperatures! If you don't pay attention  to this simply fact, the main guest getting the first glass will receive the hottest wine, which is never the best. So, please, before serving a cooled wine always slightly shake the bottle! And you don't need tranportation anymore !

             Another golden prescription applying not only in Romania, is to serve the wine not very cool in winter, neither very hot in summer. French specialists used to recommend letting the wine chambree (to the room temperature), but this thing is only o.k in April or September; May is already too hot! Professional tasters use also to say "every wine with its temperature, and every taste with its temperature!" Important to remember that over 20 degrees Celsius due to slight evaporation not all the hidden flavors are to be discovered, and under 4 degrees Celsius is almost impossible discovering  the flavors and the tastes.

            Keep in mind the speed of heating: when in a room with 21 degrees Celsius every cooler wine wins a degree Celsius every 3 minutes. Many times we can make this speed bigger by simply taking the wine glass between the hands!

             What about heating a wine? The most modern method is the microwave oven, but you can't control very exactly the final temperature! Also, always remember that wine is a living drink and the microwaves kill all the useful germs! So better use the old method of heating by another vessel, where the water reaches the temperature we need, nevertheless this method requires much more time!

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Tips and tricks for the right pairing of wines and food

Nothing new under the sun, I can hear you. Who is this man thinking he can teach us pairing food and wines? We know to do this pairing, there is no problem, there is nothing easier on Earth! Sorry to insist, but a normal intelligent man has always something to learn, and admits it. And I am sure you are such intelligent people!

You received even from myself some tips and tricks for the right pairing of wine and food on many other occasions. But, you know, taking part to so many professional wine tasting in Romania makes me to forget the normal wine afficionado as you are, and as I am ( I still hope that a wine afficionado is not alcohol or food addicted! At least we in Europe use to think like that!)

But let's go back to our sheeps! How would you pair a desert, a cooked liver, a salt cheese? These are open questions, applying to normal people who cellar more sorts of wine (this is the real wine afficionado in my opinion). And these are the tips and tricks:

1. Never forget that a red wine is richer and heavier than a white one. Keep the red for the heavy dishes, but keep in mind that this mix between good food and excellent wines leads to obesity, when repeated. So, always strive to live healthy and never forget your morning gym!

2. The sweet dishes are to be completed with an easy white wine, the best is the medium dry Riesling, and avoid the Muscat Ottonel, which is simply too sweet.

3.The cheese, if is salty and spicy, must be currently paired  with a medium dry Merlot. The saltier and spicier the cheese, the drier the wine, keep in mind.

4. The jelly duck liver is a heavy meal, but not the heaviest you know. This is in my opinion to be paired with a sweet red Cabernet Sauvignon.

5.Always pair the fish with a white dry wine, e.g. Aligote which is my favorite! About chicken (you guess, an easy dish must get is white) I recommend a sweet Chardonnay

I still have many other tips and tricks, but I keep them for another occasion (not for myself, as I wanna share with you from all my heart). A special mention: you get all the above named wines as presents when taking part to the wine tasting in Romania! And I am waiting now for your feedback, hoping that all these tricks are useful to you.

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The Big Romania Wine Tasting Tour with 10 % discount in May

I have worked out a big surprise for the wine afficionados: a bigger Romania Wine Tasting Tour. Comparing to my previous wine tour ( attention pls, April discount will soon be obsolete!) I added a few wineries, and I left the dinner to the option of the tourists! But I strove to keep further a good quality of services, wines and lodging.  So, it lasts longer, more wineries, costs cheaper. You have much for paying less! Special offers for honeymooners! This program takes 8 days / 7 nights and is designed for both the tourists and the specialists in oenology, because of the link between Romanian medieval art and stepping into the universe of Romanian wines.

The tour covers the main vineyards in Romania and offers the opportunity to taste its most famous varieties, recognized worldwide: Muscat Ottonel, Feteasca Regala/Alba, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris/Noir, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grasa de Cotnari, Tamaioasa Romaneasca. The tour can be scheduled in any period of the year, by car/ minibus/ bus/ coach, covering the main tourist areas of Romania. Day 1Departure from Bucharest . Transfer Bucharest – Murfatlar (3 hrs). Wine tasting program and visit to the Murfatlar vineyard - these wineries, with total capacity of processing and storage over 350.000 hl wine/year, are famous thanks to the joining of the valuable grape varieties: Riesling, Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Neagra, Muscat Ottonel, Babeasca, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot with the modern equipment and technology, plus the professionalism of the specialists. Optional, lunch. Transfer Murfatlar – Constanta city (1 hr).Lodging at Best Western Savoy Hotel **** in Mamaia - an international famous sea resort near Constanta Day 2 Breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant in Mamaia . Transfer Mamaia resort – Niculitel vineyard, passing through Tulcea town. Wine tasting program and, optional, lunch at Niculitel vineyard - one of the pearls of the Romanian wines where the climate is a factor determining the successful vinegrowing and high quality of the noble wines in this region.You will taste sweets of wines. Visit to Niculitel Basilique is the oldest building of this kind in Romania and its architecture is unique in Europe.   Transfer Niculitel – Focsani city. Lodging at Unirea  Hotel *** in Focsani Day 3  Breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant in Focsani. Wine tasting at Odobesti vineyard Odobesti vineyard  It is the first vineyard in Romania - since the 17 th century. Its royal vinery hosts one of the biggest vinacoteques in Romania.Panciu vineyard this is the only place in Romania where the wine is processed after Champagne method. Wine tasting and, optional, lunch at Panciu vineyard .Transfer to Iasi city . Lodging at Traian Hotel **** in Iasi Day 4  Breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant in Iasi . City tour of Iasi, visiting The Palace of Culture it is an impressive construction built in Neogothic style between 1906-1925, on the ruins of the ancient palace of the Moldavian Rulers. It hosts in 365 rooms one library and 4 museums: of history, ethnography, art & polytechnics. Three Hierarchs Monastery built as the French architect Lecomte de Nouy said this is 'one of the most interesting and curious religious edifices in Europe'. Built between 1637-1642, it is famous for its beautiful stone decoration and The Metropolitan Church . Wine tasting and, optional, lunch at Cotnari vineyard it is famous for its high quality wine, confirmed by numerous medals. According to the legend, the first vine stocks of this vineyard were planted in the 15th century by the Moldavian Ruler Stephen the Great. One can taste in this region the following sorts of wine: Grasa de Cotnari, Catalina - Voievodal, Tamaioasa Romaneasca, Francusa, Feteasca Alba  Transfer to Piatra Neamt - a touristic town in the valley of Bistrita river, one of the most picturesque areas of Romanian Sub-Carpathian hills .Lodging at Ceahlau Hotel *** in Piatra Neamt .                                                                                    Day 5  Breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant in Piatra Neamt . Transfer to Poiana Brasov resort (235 km), crossing over the Eastern Carpathians through the spectacular Gorges of Bicaz . On the way, optional, stop for the lunch at The Red Lake – a beautiful touristic resort nearby the only natural dam lake, moulded because of a mountain fall in the 19th century . Lodging at Casa Viorel Hotel **** in Poiana Brasov resort Day 6 Breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant in Poiana Brasov . Wine tasting and, optional, lunch at Dealu Mare vineyard . Arrival in Bucharest Pax Rate / pax (EUR) 2 - 3 pax 881 € 4 - 7 pax 638 € 8 - 15 pax 592 € 16 - 22 pax 519 € > 23 pax 493 € For booking mail at dorugiu@gmx.net and keep in mind that spring is the best season for visiting Romania.

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