RO-Wine has begun – probably the coolest spring edition so far – and the producers, mindful of details, have presented fewer wines suited for the imminent summer and more wines that pair well with the lingering spring. And, since you probably won’t be able to taste everything on display, we’ve prepared a list of must-try Romanian wines – just one from each producer – so you can at least take an informed tour.
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Yes, many producers have much more irresistible wines on offer—in some cases, every wine at their stand is excellent – and yes, tastes are subjective, so we’ve tried to focus on novelty, originality, and that je ne sais quoi that separates a good wine from a special one.
Bonus: a few tips at the end for those less familiar with wine festivals…
One wine from each…
- Don’t miss, at Domeniile Averești, the Blanc de Rose, a white wine made of Busuioacă de Bohotin, absolutely surprising for those used to the classic Busuioacă notes – rounded, full of ripe orchard fruit and orange blossom notes, with a citrusy, relaxing finish.
- At Domeniul Bogdan you can discover an exceptional, atypical Riesling Pătrar with deep notes of candied fruit, juicy pears, and spices.
- Crama DeMatei has all internationally awarded wines, but the Patima Fetească albă 2024 caught our attention. Although it’s a new wine, it’s intense and profound, resonant and long-lasting – a perfect example of wine from a dry year.
- At the same stand as Crama DeMatei, you’ll also find Olterra wines, the newest winery from the Vintruvian Estate group, whose wines are still quite hard to find, so don’t pass by without tasting a very typical and well-made Negru de Drăgășani.
- At Gramofon Wine, obviously, no further comment needed—taste a Fetească Neagră and talk to the people. If you need more details, you haven’t read enough articles on our platform.
- Crama Histria stays true to form and offers only unusual wines for connoisseurs. Although their reds are sensational, we must guide you to Fleur Royale, a Fetească Regală made with wild yeasts, deep and atypical, and although it spent a year in oak barrels, the wood notes are very subtle. A powerful wine, if you know how to converse with it.
- At the same stand as Crama Histria is the “older brother” from Dobrogea, Via Viticola Sarica Niculițel – the two wineries make up the second half of the Vintruvian Estates group. Many wines from the Princeps collection are unmissable, but our advice: first and foremost enjoy Epiphanie, a benchmark Fetească Neagră, just as special in every edition.
- We suggest you stop by a bit later at Jidvei – for a dessert – discover the Grand Reserve Rhein Riesling first presented at RO-Wine Cluj, a flawless 2009 wine with notes of raisins, linden and acacia honey, figs, all supported by the typical acidity of Transylvania.
- SERVE has many new offerings at their stand, but the big surprise is the new edition of Cuvée Amaury 2024. It shouldn’t be a surprise, because it’s always a great wine, with great aging potential, but here we have a wine with all the signs of wine bound to evolve into something truly remarkable. It’s wow!
- At Navigo, be patient with Siaj Merlot 2021, a friendly wine that just needs a bit of time to open up – not much. Warm, relaxed (only 50% of the wine aged in oak for 8 months), ideal for company and long conversations.
- Beciul Domnesc has many new wines worth checking out; Mirabilis Machina 2020 – a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Fetească Neagră – really caught our attention. It needs a bit of time in the glass to express itself, but it hides pleasant surprises. In any case, at the next stand, a memorable XO awaits – perfect before heading out or taking a break!
- Crama Gârboiu launches the third edition of Petite Helena, from the 2023 harvest – a wine produced only in favorable years (the 2019 and 2021 editions also exist), a serious blend of Șarbă and Chardonnay.
- At Crama La Salina, a wild and atypical Fetească Neagră Nidus 2019 awaits you, hesitating between vegetal and fruity notes, though it seems more settled and fruit-forward than it was at RO-Wine in fall 2024.
- Domaine Dumetrier awaits with unusual varieties and blends for Romanian vineyards, so almost every wine is a surprise. We stopped at the new edition of Composition 2021, a white blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc—lively like a fresh wine, expressive, cheerful, and full of inspiration. Since 2021, their wines are also certified organic, if that motivates you…
- At Liliac, from the land of white wines, we chose a Fetească Regală 2024 with a wild air, extremely intense and concentrated—somewhat atypical. Worth studying and appreciating!
- Jazz is the new name of Domeniile Panciu. It’s also the name of a Chardonnay sparkling wine produced using the traditional method, with 80 months of lees aging. It easily rivals Champagne equivalents in terms of finesse and elegance.
- Vinea Apoldia Maior, the commercial division under USAMV Cluj Napoca’s umbrella, always surprises with “author” wines, atypical. This year we chose Semper Academicum, a blend of Pink Traminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat Ottonel—far from the notes you’d expect. If you found some smoked fat instead of Muscat’s “candy” notes—what would you say?
- Crama Rasova has the same friendly vibe, with a touch of creativity and personal flair. They say their Fetească Neagră is Imperfect—we challenge you to find a single flaw, however small, in the 2021 edition, where Răzvan Macici’s work is quite evident.
- Crama Pandora captures in its wines the typical acidity of Vrancea terroir—and you’ll find a serious Sauvignon Blanc that testifies to it.
- At Familia Darabont, it’s hard to choose a wine because each has its own story or unique personality. We stopped at Projekt CH 2022, a heartfelt Chardonnay aged for 10 months in oak barrels, with the wood notes superbly managed.
- Murfatlar Vinul presents many new wines. In the Arezan range, a surprising Chardonnay awaits—unoaked but rich, full of ripe, juicy fruit, clean and bright.
- Many surprising wines also at Viticola Sâmburești. If you need a wine to relax with after so many complex ones, confidently choose Carpathia, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot 2021—a typical blend, with coffee, black cherry, summer cherry notes—relaxed and juicy.
- At Domeniile Dealu Mare, the pelin (wormwood wine) break is inevitable – ZZPelin.
- Davino, as usual, offers top-quality red wines; perhaps that’s exactly why you shouldn’t miss Domaine Ceptura Blanc, another benchmark of excellence.
- On your way out (or before breaks), even though it’s not wine, enjoy a real horincă or a blueberry liqueur from La Horincie. And let Ștefan explain to you the secrets of Maramureș distillates—if you have the time!
Don’t Forget!
- Don’t wear strong perfumes. Not only do they prevent you from appreciating the wines, but you’ll ruin the experience for everyone around!
- There are many stands. If one is crowded at the moment, go to another and come back later!
- Don’t ask people at the stands to fill your glass. There are so many wonderful things to taste that you’ll surely accumulate enough wine by the end… If a wine really impresses you, return to it later!
- If you’re coming on Sunday, make sure to vote first—you don’t want to stamp outside the box after too many wines…
