Every month or so I return to The Andersons – one of the best wine selections in Central Ohio – to replenish my dad and I’s wine fix. Normally, I’m greeted by Chuck, a very pleasant and very knowledgeable wine associate. This time around I ran into Silvia, the Sommelier in charge. She was equally friendly and knowledgeable and helped me make a great selection. We struck up a very interesting conversation about her family vineyard in Romania and her vinous journey through Florida, Virginia and all the way up to Central Ohio! Born and raised in Romania, Silvia naturally wanted to share with me some of her country’s vinous love. She picked out a red and a white. I’ll be presenting the white today, which is a wine made from the Feteasca Regala grape, grown and vinified in the Târnave region.
Producing predominantly white wines, Târnave is a controlled appellation of origin within Transylvania, and is the most important and oldest wine region in the area. Târnave is home to Romania’s coolest vineyards and, similar to the Mosel region in Germany, the vineyards rest on remarkably steep slopes. The wines tend to share the high acidity, commonly found in Mosel valley wines. The Feteasca Regala varietal is exclusively Romanian, created in the 1930s from a cross between the Grasa and Feteasca Alba grapes. Feteasca Regala is one of Romania’s most widely planted grape varietals. So without further ado…
Jidvei “Feteasca Regala” Târnave 2011
Tasting Notes: 100% Feteasca Regala, aged a few months in oak barrels and stainless steel vessels, 12% vol. Light, golden straw yellow in the glass. Bright and fresh notes of peaches, lemons, picante and a lure of fresh meadows. There’s an overall sweet-citrusy, Summer-like appeal. The nose drew me in. This wine is bone dry with a pronounced tartness, displaying sour apple Jolly Rancher flavors, followed by lemons and peaches. A silky smooth texture accompanies the tartness. The palate is also mildly herbaceous, with notes of fresh green grass. A bit linear, despite all my notes, but this makes for a very refreshing Sunny-day wine. I can see myself lounging on the porch under the sun with a nice book or some good company.
Rating: 14/20 (87/100)
Price: under US$10 @ The Andersons Sawmill Wine Shop
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