Come the end of May when I boarded a plane to Bucharest from Athens, Greece I returned to a wine country that I love to explore. Whenever I visit Romanian wine country I feel at home. I feel valued whenever I am a part of the Romanian #winelover community. Credit goes to Razvan Stoenescu for his tireless promotion of Romanian wines. My prior Romanian wine country explorations have taken me to the Crisana, Dragasani, Dealu Mare, and Oltenia wine regions. Moreover, during my wine travels in Romania, I have been introduced to wines from all of its wine regions. The focus of my recent wine travels was to (1) discover Transylvania wine country, and (2) celebrate the First International Fetească Regală Day on June 3, 2022. Transylvania, the birthplace of Fetească Regală (Royal Maiden) grape, is known for its white and sparkling wines. I was indeed in for many pleasant surprises as we traveled through the rich history of Transylvania.
Hello Romania: I am Back
It was great to return to Bucharest. Being able to reunite with #winelovers friends was special to say the least. After a brief introduction to Bucharest we were off to a master class given by Luiz Alberto, #Winelover Founder.
Luiz Alberto, #Winelover Founder © Spaswinefood
Luiz introduced us to an interesting lineup of 10 wines, which we tasted blind in pairs. The 11th one was an aged Romanian wine that we were ask to guess the approximate vintage?
This article is the first in a series of future posts on my Transylvania wine travels.
Making Discoveries in Alba lulia, Ciumbrud, and Medias
It was a long drive from Bucharest to Alba lulia, our first stop wine country stop. Along way we enjoyed a picnic lunch at Castle of the Fairies, Porumbacu de Sus.
Picnic Lunch at Fairy Tale Castle © Spaswinefood
Fairy Tale Castle is near Porumbacu de Sus, a village situated 40 kilometers West of Sibiu. It is a beautiful stop for a picnic lunch.
From there it was onto Alba lulia where we checked in at Hotel Ave Alba. Our walk to dinner took us by the historic Alba lulia Fortress. That evening it was dinner at Pub 13, near the Fortress, and an introduction to Transylvanian wines with a Sparking Wine Tasting at Vinoteca Hugo.
We were treated to a most interesting lineup of Transylvanian sparkling wines.
Next morning, we visited Alba lulia Fortress. This historical fortress is beyond impressive.
Without a doubt Alba lulia was the perfect first stop. From Alba lulia it was onto Transylvania's Jidvei vineyards and wineries before heading to an historic castle for lunch. The Jidvei Group has four wineries located in Jidvei, Blaj, Bălcaciu and Tauni.
Jidvei Winery © Spaswinefood
After touring Jidvei vineyards and wineries it was onto Bethlen-Haller Castle for lunch.
During the communist period, Bethlen-Haller Castle went downhill. After 1989, it was claimed and returned to the Haller family. Later the castle was bought by Necşulescu family, who restored it. The castle became a symbol of Jidvei, with the family opening it to the public in 2020.
We would conclude our wine country day at Hotel Domeniul Vinului, Ciumbrud. The following morning before leaving we enjoyed a Domeniul Ciumbrud wine tasting.
From there it was onto Villa Vinea winery, Mica Mures where we adopted Feteasca Regala vine and enjoyed a delicious lunch overlooking the vineyard. The views from the winery are stunning!
I was so delighted to be part of Winelover Romania's adopting a Feteasca Regala vine.
What a great day it was! Later we traveled onto Traube Hotel in Medias, an old wine-trade town. There is so much wine history in Medias.
Restaurant at Traube Hotel, Medias © Spaswinefood
After a night's rest our next day began at Frauendorf Winery.
Frauendorf Winery © Spaswinefood
At Frauendorf Winery, a young winery, we tasted some of their first vintages.
We enjoyed a lunch in Medias before learning more about the rich history of this wine-trade town. Given the historical significance of this town it was appropriate to celebrate the First International Feteasca Regala Day, June 3, 2022 here.
Touring Wine History, Medias © Spaswinefood
We were most fortunate to have Octavian Isailă to help us discover some of Medias's wine history.
International Fetească Regală Day, June 3, 2022 © Spaswinefood
Later over dinner at Hanul Greweln there was a Feteasca Regala wine tasting, and Octavian Isailă launched his book on wine history of Medias. Isailă has undertaken a number of impressive projects to restore some of Medias rich wine history.
Feteasca Regala Wine Tasting © Spaswinefood
Launching of Octavian Isaila's book © Spaswinefood
After a vine-filled day in Medias we traveled onto Hotel Casa Wagner, Sighisoara.
Concluding Wine Travels in Sighisoara, Romania
It was great waking up in Sighisoara’s old city. Before leaving we (Carol and I) did an early tour of the Old Town of Sighisoara, the place where Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler) was born. Indeed this is a special place. Put it on your short list!
What a wonderful introduction to Transylvania Wine Country it was! My #winelover traveling buddies, from Canada, Europe and United States, would spend one more day in this awesome city, and then go onto the Dealu Mare Wine Region. In my case however, I was off to Cluj to travel onwards. I left with the need to return soon. Wine travelers might want to use Cluj, as a starting point to explore Transylvania wine country. All the Transylvanian towns that I visited would be most ideal to spend at least 2-3 days as a wine traveler.
Romania is for Wine Travelers
I always leave Romania with great memories. I can not wait to return. For this Spaswinefood enthusiast Romania is always an awesome wine adventure. Given Romania's wine history, with its indigenous ( e.g. Fetească Neagră, Fetească Alba, Fetească Regala) and international grapes (e.g. Chardonnay, Merlot) produced with modern winemaking technology, and by talented winemakers make Romanian wine very attractive. Romania, one of the oldest viticultural regions in the world, after the 1989 revolution the production of quality of wine has become a focus. Today Romania is an emerging star in the wine world.
For sure Romania is for winelovers therefore I invite you to join me in my travels in Romania and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon and at Spaswinefood on Twitter and Facebook. Special thanks to Razvan Stoenescu, and all of our wonderful Romanian hosts for making my vine-filled explorations so memorable.
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