As we recently reported, Wonderland Resort Cluj and Wines of Romania hosted an exceptional press trip that brought together 40 journalists and content creators specializing in wine, gastronomy, and tourism from 12 countries. For three days, Romanian wine and gastronomy complemented the experiences offered by Wonderland Resort Cluj.
Choose What Suits You Best
The official opening of the event was marked by a press conference held by the founder of Wonderland Resort Cluj, Darius Mârza (emotional and moving), and by a cocktail generously filled with Jidvei’s Mysterium sparkling wine, where Marinela Ardelean told the story of Romanian wine, of the books she dedicated to it, and of the Wines of Romania platform.
Guests then enjoyed two full days in which they had the opportunity to discover the universe of Wonderland as well as the history and landmarks of Cluj. From horseback riding through the forest to zip-lining, archery, paintball, or go-karting, everyone had the freedom to choose the activities that suited them best.
Wine, the Central Element
The central element, however, was wine – present not only in a classic tasting led by Marinela Ardelean, but also during all other moments: lunch, dinner, concerts, or campfires.
Of the 40 guests, more than half were selected from among wine and gastronomy experts. The mission of Wines of Romania, as we declared from the very beginning, is to “bring Romanian wine to the world.” This time, however, with the support of Wonderland Resort, we “brought the world closer to Romanian wine.”
As we expected, very few were familiar with Romanian wines. This shortcoming is one we tried to remedy, at least partially, by introducing them to more than 25 of the most representative labels of Wines of Romania partners – wines that speak about the regions they come from, about the culture and tradition of Romanian winemaking, and about the people behind the labels.
We would like to thank the Wines of Romania partners who made this experience possible: Crama Avincis, Domeniile Averești, Domeniul Bogdan, Beciul Domnesc, Jidvei, and the Vintruvian Estates group, with wines from Via Viticola Sarica Niculițel, Olterra, and Crama DeMatei.
The feedback was extraordinary – honest and straightforward, encouraging and capable of making us a little more optimistic. Now, as we prepare to say goodbye to our new friends – and the new friends of Romanian wine – we share with you some of the impressions they expressed.
Anne-Wies Van Oosten, Netherlands (DipWSET / Registered Vinoloog / Weinacademiker):
„Since I permanently reside in Romania, visit wineries and write about Romanian wine, I can say the wines chosen for showcasing during the press trip made a good selection, showing plenty of local varieties, but also a Pinot Noir, a Chardonnay or a Merlot…
At the same time, showing wines from different regions, like Huși, Dealu Mare, Drăgășani, helps understanding the difference between regions. I visited myself most of these wineries – Avincis and Olterra are on my list to visit in September. I love Negru de Drăgășani, and I was surprised to see that many people didn’t realize that was the name of the grape and thought it is the name of the wine. Also, I really liked the " Caii de la Letea "Aligote."
Tiago Maravilha, Portugal (wine journalist):
“It was the first time I tasted Romanian wines and I was really great, because we don’t get a lot of information about Romanian wines in Portugal. But now I’m on a mission to bring good news to the Portuguese people, because your wines are great, really great. I liked the red wines better – Merlot Matei, Migala Cuvee Red, and Feteasca Neagra Patrar were great.
It was my first encounter with Feteasca Neagra, I am sure I need to taste more, but it is clear that it’s a great variety. And also I noticed a lot of similarities with Portugal, not only in wine, but also in food and in the community, the attitude of people… We really need to try and get some more Romanian wines there!”
Paolo Nenci, Italy (wine entrepreneur and consultant):
“I first tasted Romanian wines in 2010, when I studied to become a sommelier, I had a French winemaker friend who was working in Romania and sometimes I would taste his wines. The line-up we had here for tasting was impressive, I liked the red wines a lot, also I found a great rose… The whites are not really to my taste, several were oaked and I usually go for freshness, but I found them to be really interesting.
I liked the Patrar Feteasca Neagra very much, but all the red wines were great. I can’t really remember their names right now, since I just discovered them, but this is a clear sign I need to come back and taste some more!”
Chiara Bassi, Italy (wine journalist):
“We didn’t learn anything about Eastern European wines in the sommelier school, but I had the chance to taste some Feteasca Neagra and Saperavi in some events, and also I had a chance to taste Pinot Noir and Syrah made in Romania before coming here. I loved the wines in the tasting, particularly the reds – Feteasca neagra and Avincis Negru de Dragasani.
I think they have a great ageing potential, they are very well balanced, some of them, those from 2020 are ready to drink already, but they have tannins and structure that allow them to be cellared for a few more years, and that is what I love most. I didn’t have the time to taste the white wines, but I will return to them during our stay. For the sparkling wines, I have a mention – great quality/price ration, especially for those made after the traditional method!”
Andrew Pincott, UK (wine content creator):
“I knew a little bit about Romanian wines, since we have some very good Feteasca Regala in the UK, in some of the main supermarkets. But that was all, I never had any Romanian red wines before. I found a great variety of flavours and tastes, it was a very positive experience. I think the Romanian version of Aligote was very nice, in general it was nice to see the Romanian interpretation of international grapes. But the local varieties… Feteasca Neagra was fantastic!
There were three or four of them, and all different, and it was a pleasure to taste them, especially the biodynamic one, although it was quite strong. The white Cuvee 49 was very interesting, Patima Feteasca Neagra, Primordial Chardonnay, Rose Princeps Caii de la Letea, Avincis Negru de Dragasani, they were all among my top picks.
I would like to see more Romanian wine in the UK, and there is a trend you could benefit from. Georgian and Eastern European wines are coming to the UK, and I think there is an interest among consumers, they want to try new things. And Romanian wines have great value, because at this point you can not charge a premium like France and, as a consumer, this is a chance to try some great value wines, getting the same quality as from France for a lot less money”.
Ashley Saunders, UK (Creator/Brand Ambassador):
“The tasting was a great surprise, I really enjoyed the sparkling, which I didn’t expect, I really enjoyed the whites and all the reds, actually, and I don’t usually go for big bold reds. The Pinot (Princeps Caii de la Letea) was a bit bolder than I usually like, but it was still very nice. Local varieties are very interesting and I think they would offer good options to people in the UK, if people just knew a bit more about grapes like Feteasca Neagra.
Romanian wines also have a good price point. But that doesn’t mean you should go for bulk, cheap wine, which will damage your reputation. You should rather be going for a better quality, educating people on grapes, so they should know they have an alternative. Choose the right brands for the right price to showcase the value of your wines and make people aware.”
Luca Grippo, Italy (CMB juror, wine journalist):
“I think you have very nice wines and it was beautiful to observe the differences, having the same grape from different regions, like the biodynamic Feteasca Neagra from Dobrogea and another from Dealu Mare (Patima), one very terroir-influenced, the other very powerful… It really looks like an international wine grape variety. Negru de Dragasani was so elegant, too.
I think the international varieties have good expressions as well, but the focus should be on autochthonous grapes, these are the wines that give proper information about the local terroir. Maybe use the international grapes in blends with local ones, but in small amounts. I believe Romanian varieties are ready to express their identity on the global market. This is what made this tasting really, really interesting. Also, perfect matching with food!”
Alberto Chiarenza, Italy (wine critic):
“I have tasted Romanian wines only once before, in Rome, in an international wine tasting, among many countries, so I was not so focused on it. Now was the first time I really had a Romanian wines tasting. It was a very good first impression, starting with the sparkling wines. I think the wineries are doing a great job! For the white wines, I think there is a bit more work to be done, mainly in improving freshness, I think there is still a lot of use of oak.
But, generally, I think there is a high quality, the red wines surprised me, they were over my imagination, mainly the local varieties – which are the identity of the Romanian wine industry and should be the focal point in the future, in order to become a nation that can play on the international wine stage”.
Nello Gatti, Italy (wine communic-author):
“Travelling the world, I didn’t have many opportunities to taste Romanian wines in restaurants, and I was wondering why such a small presence on the international market. I think Romania deserves and needs to improve its presence, it is a process that starts locally and takes time until producers get to know each other…
I think Romania has an opportunity today, being included among the countries with a long wine tradition, but also with a new generation of winemakers who are not that traditional any more. From this point of view, I think Italy is stuck because it clings too much on tradition, in doing things the same way. We developed some strong brands in the 60s and 70s, but it seems we ran out of ideas.
So I wish for Romania to have full knowledge about where it stands, about its history and tradition, and then take all that and rush towards the thinks the market needs, without being held captive by tradition. What we tasted here was a great starting point, for a deeper analysis, now we need to see wineries, taste a lot more, get to know the people and the full story. The local grapes are the key for your future, they are a card Romania can play as a jolly.”
What we tasted
The list of wines in the main tasting – great many thanks to all the Wines of Romania partners for supporting this event:
Dobrogea:
Domeniul Bogdan:
- Pătrar Fetească Neagră 2020,
- Primordial Chardonnay 2023
Via Viticola Sarica Niculițel:
- Pinot Noir Princeps 2022,
- Caii de la Letea Aligote Vol. 1, 2024
Rose Princeps 2024
Oltenia:
Avincis:
- Crâmpoșie Selecționată sparkling 2020,
- Negru de Drăgășani 2020
- Crâmpoșie selecționată (still) 2024
Olterra:
- Vădastru, Negru de Drăgășani 2018
Transylvania
Jidvei:
- Mysterium Brut Vintage 2021(white sparkling)
- Pinot noir (white) 2024
- Grand Reserve Fetească Regală 2009
