Romanian wine-making traditions date back more than 6,000 years. It’s a wine nation with a long but interrupted (over 40-years, during the Communist era) wine heritage. It has taken almost 25 years to recover, but the quality of wines coming out of Romania is vastly improving. While Romania’s domestic preference is for white wines, red grape plantings are on the rise. The 2017 Murfatlar Merlot is dark garnet in color and carries aromas of cherry and black raspberry on the nose. The palate brings flavors of charred wood and preserved plum. Tannins show good grip, yet there is a touch of boisterous acidity in the finish. This is a great example of what Romanian wine can deliver, and at such an affordable price point, begets the question, why aren’t we drinking more wines from this country?
Murfatlar, Dobrogea (Romania) Merlot 2017
By Miranda Franco