My Transylvania wine travels with #winelover friends took me to the towns of Alba lulia, Ciumbrud, Medias, and Sighisoara. Beside wine discoveries there were so many pleasant surprises, which I experienced, as we traveled through the rich history of Transylvania wine country. Our first stop, Alba Iulia, on the Mureș River, is an historical city in west-central Romania that serves as the seat of Alba County. Alba lulia is a charming town in Transylvania wine country. While in Alba lulia we visited the historic Alba lulia Fortress, dined at Pub 13, and did a sparkling wine tasting at Vinoteca Hugo.
Alba lulia, Transylvania
It was a long drive from Bucharest to Alba lulia. Along way we enjoyed a picnic lunch at Castle of the Fairies, Porumbacu de Sus, a village situated 40 kilometers West of Sibiu. It was a beautiful stop for a picnic lunch.
Picnic Lunch at Fairy Tale Castle © Spaswinefood
After lunch it was onto Alba lulia where we checked in at Hotel Ave Alba. I was in an amazing evening.
Historic Alba lulia
Alba Iulia, one of the oldest cities in Romania, has a history dating back to antiquity. Our walk to dinner that evening took us by the historic Alba lulia Fortress. Alba Iulia Fortress (sometimes called the Alba Iulia Citadel, or the Alba Carolina Fortress), a massive 18th century fortification which forms the heart of the Romanian city of Alba Iulia. Alba lulia Fortress, one of the biggest fortifications of its kind in Europe, was designed to protect the city centre. It was originally constructed in the 13th century however, the present fortification dates mostly to the 18th century. It was built around 1716 to 1735, by over 20,000 Romanian peasants, along with Italian workers and artisans. This stunning fortification system was created by Prince Eugene of Savoy to defend the newly conquered provinces of the Hapsburg Empire. The fortress served as a military centre between the 18th and 19th centuries. These days it houses some of the most important civic buildings of Alba Iulia.
Discovering Alba lulia Fortress © Spaswinefood
The fortress is huge. The walls measure three metres at the base, and 1.2m wide at the top. It has a perimeter of 12km, and forms a seven-point star shape, with seven bastions and six gates, which are in themselves impressive architectural sites. Alba lulia Fortress is the center piece of this historical town.
That evening it was dinner at Pub 13, near the Fortress, followed by an introduction to Transylvanian wines with a Sparking Wine Tasting at Vinoteca Hugo.
Pub 13
We enjoyed dinner at Pub 13 restaurant, which is built into the fortress wall. The restaurant is decorated with historic regalia, and chandeliers.
The vinoteca is wine bar is located in the catacombs of the in the southeast corner of the fortress. Here you can taste the best Romanian wines from all areas of the country.
This is an impressive setting for a wine tasting.
We were treated to a most interesting lineup of Transylvanian sparkling wines at Vinoteca Hugo that evening.
This wine bar is a must visit.
Touring the Alba lulia Fortress
Next morning, we toured Alba lulia Fortress with a guide. This historical fortress is beyond impressive, the crowning attraction of Alba lulia. Within this star-shaped fortress are museums, churches and the Unification Hall that sealed the union of Transylvania with Romania in 1918. We did a brief overall tour however, you could easily spend a full day here.
From Alba lulia it was onto Transylvania's Jidvei vineyards and wineries.
Romania is for Wine Travelers
Without a doubt our visit to Alba lulia set a high benchmark. Moreover, for sure our stay was far too brief. It would be most ideal to spend at least 2 days here. I always leave Romania with great memories. For this Spaswinefood enthusiast Romania is 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) Romanian wine travel is very attractive. Romania, one of the oldest viticultural regions in the world. 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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