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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The ugliest places in Romania

As I can't and I don't want to deny the evidences, I must accept the true : there some places in Romania which are not attractive, neither for the tourists, and not even for the locals. Maybe it is not the best publicity possible, but is the most sincerely. And before all I intend to inform you correctly, from inside, and not doing publicity at any price.

There is in fact another important mention to be made: it is a matter of taste. De gustibus non disputandum, would have say the Latins ("The taste is not a matter to be discussed"). E.g.: The most notorious issue about is the second large building worldwide, lieing in Bucharest. Ceausescu planned and build it in the peak of his power, and no one dared to say anything against, despite the huge destruction caused to the Downtown! After the fall and dissolution of Ceausescu's communist regime the building, known as Parliament's building, or People' house could have been completely demolished, as it reminds the old times. It turned to be the most controversial building in the all world, and I sincerely would like to know your opinion about it.

Allow me to introduce one of Europe's biggest  steel factories, in Galati

Another matter of fact: during the almost 50 years long ruling of the Communist Party has been followed a policy of forced industrialization, which brought waves of migrants in the growing cities, which have been lodged in uniform grey blocks of flats. Really living silos, these blocks constitute compact quarters in every Romanian city, no one escaped the phenomena! Bucharest and other major cities recommended as city breaks are completely different inside their Downtown or new towns. The communists quarters of blocks lack totally charm, personality and urban life.

Many of the Romanian cities lack on personality and urban life; Bacau is one of the worst  hit by this plague

Unfortunately, some industrial cities don't have at all a downtown. You can barely make the difference between those cities, and you must search a lot finding something specific belonging exclusively to one of it. You don't have necessary to avoid all these cities, sometimes is simply impossible because they are located on the main ways. And after this long introduction, let's see the places!

Focsani might not been very spectacular, lacking on a proper downtown,  but  hosts a wine festival, and epic wine tastings.

1. Copsa Mica, near Medias, is a little town having hosting for decades a chemical factory, which production process was not at all environmental friendly. The houses are all covered with a thin coating of black matter. You can imagine, the rate of lung cancer among the locals was very high. Today the factory is not working anymore, but the houses are still black!

2.Bacau is a typical industrial city, no downtown, suffering after the dissolution of the industrial production. Digging deeper, you can find a few museums. Be very careful, don't take it for Galati!

3.Galati has been hosting one of the Europe's biggest steel factory. The steel factory is still working, while some other have been closed, and you can't miss its huge proportions, no matter from what direction you are approaching. Ask about Domneasca/Royal  street, and find there the most interesting part of the city.

4.Focsani was 20 years ago an important industrial city, which turned nowadays to a small town, due to to the depopulation caused by the closing of the most industrial cities. There is practically no downtown, but the town is an important Capital of Romanian wines, and you can take part here to the wine festival in October, or to epic wine tastings.

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Tips and tricks for travelling to Romania

Romania is neither a tropical, nor a dangerous country, but has some insider tips, which I am glad sharing with you.

The prices for a good meal in Romania are very different. You shall ever prefer the small restaurants and pensions, as having better prices and better food

First of all, don't worry about tropical diseases, you don't need any vaccine. AIDS is up to you, and your level of personal protection, other diseases totally unknown. Many visitors are unpleasant impressed about the level of corruption in Romania, and many comments concerning the big political crisis between president Traian Basescu and the Prime Minister Victor Ponta are pointing to corruption as a main reason. I would say no to it, there is rather a personal matter, or a power fight, in my opinion. Certain is that many Romanians are deeply disappointed about their rulers and the political class entirely. About the obvious corruption, I also don't agree, as little presents seem to me really o.k. After all, the corruption is not a Romanian invention or discovery, we are in the Balkans!

Policemen on duty. No policeman is entitled to ask you  your papers without a strong reason., and even less to controll your money or valuables (they are sure faked policemen if doing that)

Much worse than this little corruption are the faked policemen e.g. Please note that no policeman is entitled to legitimate you without a strong reason; even less is entitled to ask about money or other valuables. When entering Romania through Bucharest Airport avoid the taxis and the luggage porters, is simply too expensive and even dangerous to your life, as a recent incident proves it.

When entering Romania through Bucharest International Airport avoid the taxis and the luggage porters. They are unshamed expansive and even dangerous to your life

Many Romanians drink the wine with water in the same glass (sprit). You can make a try of this method, but you are not supposed to do the same, no one will be hurt if you drink the wine separately. As you know, being a somelier, this method decreases the qualities of wine. The locals use it just to drink more liquids during the hot days.

Meiul Zilei is an incredible local offer: 3 courses meal with 3 Euros only.

A matter who could hurt any local is on the contrary shaking hands. It is normal to do it when meeting someone, not only for the first time. The shake must be strong enough, lasting for 5 seconds at least, while you look deeply in the eyes of the counterpart. If you are a man meeting a lady in a sophisticated environment, it is bon ton to kiss her right hand, while you look in her eyes.

Eating in Romania is very cheap, if you are tight on your budget. Everywhere on your ways there are incredible offers as MENIUL ZILEI, meaning a three course menu at 15 RON (3 EUROS). You can also have your meals in a sophisticated restaurants, but the hi end prices you can find there don't reflect a much superior quality of the meals. On the contrary, the same meals are to be found in a pension at the country side much cheaper and tasting better ( nearly bio for sure)!

A good hotel in a big city vs a little pension to the countryside  is  a matter of time,  budget and taste

The same thing about accommodation. You can barely find a hotel room in Bucharest or other touristic cities (Sibiu, Brasov, Cluj Napoca) under 60 Euros, but you can find some excellent accommodation in a pension at the half of this price. So it is easy to make the choice, according to your budget.

Tips is also not entirely a Romanian invention, and if you are very happy with a certain service no one will be ofenced for receiving tips (no more than 10 %).

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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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The Big Romania Wine Tour

Romanian leading vineyards are spread throughout the country, and a  complete Wine Tour is also  a Big Romania Tour

As wine and vineyards have in Romania a long traditions, the leading vineyards are spread throughout the country, in all its historical provinces as Moldavia, Wallachia, and Transilvania. Up to now I have offered many Romanian tours, but I strove that my tours are shorter and smaller, as I thaught to offer Romania on a small budget. But many of my clients remonstrated, and said that they would have stay longer, in order to know Romania deeper.

O.K., let's do it, let's think big and globally, but I have to warn: Romania has many hidden faces, and even I don't know them all after living a life here! But I will strive to show you many of the Romanian mysteries, to the best of my knowledge. I also have something for those who are not wine afficionados, as me and most of my tourists: this is not exclusively a Romania Wine Tour, but also a Romanian culture tour, facilitating an in depth sight view of Romania. Even this Tour is not complete, there are a few vineyards from Transilvania missing

DAY 1

Arrival in Bucharest, departure to the Black Sea coast. Dinner and accommodation in Constantaor Eforie Nord, one of the seaside summer resorts.

Bucharest and its eclectic mix of architecture style has a secret charm

DAY 2Morning at leisure (you might have a sun bath, or just relax). Lunch with wine tasting at Murfatlar - in the biggest vineyard of Romania. In the afternoon visit to Constantaand Tulcea the city at the entrance of Danube Delta. Dinner and accommodation.
DAY 36-hour Danube Delta Tour, with lunch on board. Dinner and wine tasting at Niculitel the second largest vineyard of Dobrodgea. Special here are the Romanian red wines(”Feteasca”and”Babeasca”) of Niculitel

Wine tasting are important on this tour, but bear in mind that is also a Romanian Culture Tour , the  people who  are not so fond of wine will be also able to find interesting things to do and learn!

DAY 4Departure to Iasi. We cross the Danube at Galati and we arrive late in the afternoon in Iasi, the capital of Moldavia after visiting the small but exceptional winemaker of Husi (the famous wine - ”Busuioaca de Bohotin”) Tis was one of the favorite wines of the former dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.. Dinner and wine tasting at Bucium, one of the largest winemakers of Moldavia.
DAY 5What about dinner in a monastery with wine made by the monks and their blessing for the rest of our tour? Morning at leisure, or a visit to Iasi to see the Mitropolitan Cathedral, Culture Palaceand Golia monastery. Lunch and wine tasting at Cotnari, one of the oldest wineries of Romania, where we can find the unique Romanian wine "Grasa de Cotnari" 

DAY 6.. Departure to Focsani, the center of Romanian wine. Here we will visit a couple of winemakers and have many wine tastings such as: specific in the area “Champagne” of Panciu, the famous wine of Odobesti and others of VINCON - Vrancea

Focsani is not only a Romanian Wine Capital, but also a cultural  city.

DAY 7Today we continue the yesterday program with wine tasting. Lunch and wine tasting at one of the wineries. Diinner and accommodation.
DAY 8Departure to Brasov, one of the most beautiful medieval cities of Transylvania. Lunch break. We will visit the Dracula Castle and have dinner and wine tasting at “Cerbul Carpatin” with Romanian Folk music.
DAY 9Departure to Ploiestiover Cheia Gorges to have lunch somewhere on the Romanian wine road, the largest red wine region of Romania: the Prahova area. Visit to the greatest winemaker of this area, in Ploiesti. Dinner and accommodation.

The savage Romania is also a highlight during a trip

DAY 10We visit several wineries of this area (Dealu Mare, Urlati etc.) and late in the afternoon we come to Bucharest. Lunch and wine tasting at Dealu Mare or Urlati wineries. Dinner and accommodation.
DAY 11Bucharest sightseeing, we visit the Palaceof Parliament (former Palace of Socialism during Ceausescu’s dictatorship - second biggest building in the world after the Pentagon). Lunch at a fancy restaurant. Last wine tasting and farewell dinner.
DAY 12 Transfer to airport. Departure. Please, let your air company know that you carry a precious luggage, containing at least 10 bottles of best Romanian wine!

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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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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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Preparing the Autumn Specials

As I talled you more times, trying to warm you up, I am working on the Autumn special offers, namely a week in Romania by harvesting grapes!

25 YEARS AGO IT WAS AN OFFICIAL DUTY OF STUDENTS TO HELP
BY GRAPES HARVESTING. AND WAS NOT BAD! 

There are endless possibilities for that
-active participation, daily harvesting, grapes pressing, processing wine. You must be in the best shape and very reliable. Man, after all is a gentlemen' activity, preparing the new wine, filling the vessels etc. The antique Romans and Greeks were already celebrating The Dyonyssos feast in Autumn. It is very normal to celebrate in Autumn the completion of the agricultural cycle (and year). In the first Sunday of November there is an official celebration, the Harvesting Day (no, Sir, not for grapes exclusively, but for all the fruits of the land which feed us! Maybe poorer this year, due to the long draught, but still an official celebration!)

MANY VINEYARDS STILL USE THE TRADITIONAL WAY OF PRESSING GRAPES

-only watching, but living in the vineyard, drinking must, drinking old wine, tasting some original combinations between the young and the old wine (carcalete is a word to remember). You don't need to be in the best shape, but what you really need is a strong stomach!

-forget the wine tours in Romania, this country has so much more to offer. You can drink a glass of two of good Romanian wine at every meal, just in case. I will also have some special offers in this area, you only need some precious time from your vacation. And you will get much more than a simply vacation.

-living in luxury hotels, going tasting, only visiting the vineyards and the grapes pickers.
Which from the above mentioned tours means going wild for you? And which one would you like to join? Simply tell me by your comments, mail me, only let me know somehow, in order to organize it right.

DANUBE DELTA IS ALSO ROMANIA

Stay tuned, dear friends, and follow me as I have so many things to describe you from this piece of heaven named Romania, and its breathtaking landscapes and endless possibilities to offer you an unforgettable vacation. Danube Delta, Moldavian Monasteries, Black Sea coast, mountains, rich history and so on, I will try to make a complete description, in order to get the all picture. With a bitter mention: the political class, as everywhere in the world, is a big disappointment and also a big danger nowadays. The Bucharest leaders, President Traian Basescu and Prime Minister Victor Ponta can't live peacefully together and govern the country. They are simply mad, or only stupid, escaladating daily a personal conflict. Meanwhile, the country is devastated by a catastrophic drought and the Romanian coin loses daily against Euro (but this could represent your unexpected advantage during a Romania Tour).

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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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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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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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