Wine: Vine In Flames Region: Dealu Mare, Romania
Grape: Chardonnay (white) Vintage (year grapes were picked): 2017
Price: ¥1298 (£9.76) Alcohol by volume: 13.5%
Background
The top five wine producing countries in Europe aren’t too hard to guess: France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Portugal.
Number six? Romania.
And it produces a vast array of wines - from a wide range of the usual suspects all the way along to some of it’s own local grapes – there is plenty to choose from throughout this wine-rich country. The history of viticulture (like agriculture but for grapes) here dates back 6000 years making it one of the oldest winemaking countries in the world - so they certainly know what they’re doing!
The grapes for this Chardonnay come from a vineyard in the southern foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, the third longest mountain range in Europe. The region name, Dealu Mare, directly translates to ‘big hill’, which I think is a fantastic name.
The Wine
The wine has a goldeny straw colour with hints of green towards the rim as well as a wonderful oily thickness that becomes apparent as you slowly swirl it. On the nose it’s an unmistakeable punch of bright lemon with a hint of butteriness.
This carries through on the palate too - it’s forthcoming with citrus fruit and green apple but balanced enough to not become overly acidic. It’s actually a great balance, usually at this price point the balance can often be a little clumsy and heavy-handed either being too acidic, or saccharine to the point of masking faults, but this one feels harmonious. There’s a breezy tropicality that comes out as it opens up more too – most notably pineapple. The mouthfeel isn’t as full as I was hoping based on the appearance and aroma, but it still holds it own when paired with something delicate.
For the price this a very good wine. It’s crisp and clean straight from the fridge and even has a few more complex notes once it's had time to breathe. Italian Pinot Grigios often dominate the market for whites around this price, but I’d recommend trying out this delightful Romanian instead.
Vine In Flames also do an equally charming Pinot Noir (light-bodied red).
Where To Buy
There’s a lovely little wine shop just off Oguchidori shopping street that had a few left of both the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, or failing that you can get them online. For the value I’d recommend picking up both!
Romanian wines in these grape varieties can be found dotted around Japan at a similar price.
