Dear wine friends, it’s time for the January 2023 recommendations – a selection of Romanian and international wines that all Wineful.ro “wine subscribers” have already received by courier.

Three important clarifications:

First, there’s no guarantee that any of these wines will be to your taste – the only way to find out is to try them.

Second, we can guarantee you that the wines are technically flawless, somewhat harder to find (even for a wine enthusiast), and try to satisfy, stylistically, a wide variety of preferences.

Thirdly, if you are reading the lines below and thinking about trying the wines offered for this month (and why not, maybe next month too), there is a very convenient solution: a recurring monthly subscription of 2, 4 or 6 bottles, for Wineful.ro. Try the subscription because you have nothing to lose: you can cancel the subscription at any time without any obligation if you change your mind.

With that in mind, here are the 6 wines selected in January 2023 by Drink Insider for Wineful.ro:

Romanian wines (two white and two red):

Freamat Alb 2021, Catleya Domain (white dry wine from Korkov region, Mehedyntsi district)

A purely Romanian blend of Fetească Alba (68%) and Fetească Regală (32%), originally from Mehedinci (Korkov), a lush and expressive wine that successfully rejects white flowers and well-ripened yellow fruits. It has a very attractive nose, with acacia and orange blossom, doubled with a big body, with a buttery texture and well-balanced acidity. The taste includes white peach, lime and pomelo, to which are added bittersweet sensations, subtle astringency and mysterious spicy notes.

Val Vârtej Alb 2022, Casa Rotărescu (dry white wine from Ceptura/Dealu Mare region, Prahova County)

A “secret collection” of white varieties from Dealu Mare, which Silviu Rotarescu, the author of the wine, did not want to divulge (yet), leaving us to figure out the right combination. However, judging by the floral aromas (elder, jasmine and lemon), the rich mix of tropical fruits (grapefruit, mango and kiwi) and the slightly subtler notes (melon, peach and green pepper), we might suspect something …

Cuvée Vişan Roşu 2020, Gramma Wines (dry red wine from the Vişan region, Iaşi County)

A blend of Merlot (80%) and Fetească Neagră (20%), originating from the hills of Vişani (near Iasi), proving that the north of Moldova can also produce unforgettable red wines. The color is dark cherry, and the nose brings notes of burnt plum, pepper and balsamic. The body is full, with firm tannins and well-defined alcohol. The taste is complemented by a mixture of cherries and cherries, to which notes of licorice, vanilla and cocoa powder are added. The aftertaste, long and fresh, leaves the impression of candied fruit, forest truffles and tobacco.

Negru de Histria 2020, Crama Histria (dry red wine from the Cogealac region, Constanta county)

Dobrudja blend Fetească Neagră (73%), to which is added a little Cabernet Sauvignon (27%), a fresh and elegant wine, with a discreet contribution of the barrel. The color is dark cherry with a purple border, and the nose brings black fruit and hints of cinnamon and cloves. The full body is based on pleasantly rounded tannins and well-defined alcohol. The taste is focused on notes of black cherry, currant and blackberry, delicately enveloped by tones of bitter chocolate and smoked wood. The aftertaste is long and rich, with balsamic notes and shades of bittersweet spices.

International wines (one white and one red):

Sessanta Passi Pecorino 2021, Azienda Marramiero (dry white wine from the Pescara region, Abruzzo/Italy)

The winegrowers of the Italian region of Pescara (Abruzzo) have a long story that explains the name of the local variety Pecorino: its very sweet grapes always “attacked” the sheep (pecora) of this region. Pecorino wine has a bright yellow color and an extremely fresh aroma with linden flowers, elderberry and tropical fruits. The acidity is excellent, the body is supple, and the alcohol is perfectly balanced. In the center of the taste – pineapple, lime and spicy herbs. The aftertaste, long and lemony, leaves bitter, elegant notes and mineral nuances.

D de Dauzac Rouge 2019, Châteaux Dauzac (dry red wine from the Margot region, Bordeaux/France)

A classic Bordeaux blend, from the Margot region, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in almost equal proportions. A very young wine, but still well balanced and ready to drink. The color is bright ruby, and the nose brings fresh black fruits and hints of spices. The body is full, with a compact texture, firm tannins and well-defined alcohol. The taste has notes of black cherry, blackberry and currant, to which are added notes of licorice, cinnamon and pepper. The aftertaste is long and juicy, leaving shades of tobacco, tanned leather and mineral notes.

PS: If you are not afraid to experiment (with the help of the Drink Insider network, of course), we recommend it recurring monthly subscriptionfor 2, 4 or 6 bottles on Wineful.ro. Try the subscription because you have nothing to lose: you can cancel the subscription at any time without any obligation if you change your mind.

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