I've been attending wine classes for six months. I've gotten used to the katakana terminology and am beginning to appreciate the depths of the wine world. Then, I discovered and participated in a fascinating event called "Fine Dine Discovery," with the theme, "Enjoying and discussing unseen scenery, unseen wine, and unseen food, all while feeling like you're traveling." Each event focuses on wines from countries rarely seen in Japan, and this time it was Romania.
In fact, Romania's wine production is approximately 5.92 million hectoliters, ranking 13th in the world. Wine has been produced there for 4,000 years, long before the birth of the Roman Empire. Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, was even born in Romania. Although the country is roughly the same size as Honshu, Japan, and has a population of approximately 19.04 million, its grape-cultivated area is approximately 50.4 hectares, ranking 10th in the world. In addition to international varieties like Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot, the country boasts over 100 indigenous varieties. With four seasons and varying climates and soils, the region boasts diverse terroirs (various wine characteristics resulting from differences in climate and soil), attracting attention from wine connoisseurs.
The five wines featured in the tasting session were: "Maria Feteasca Alba 2011" is made with Feteasca Alba grapes, Romania's most popular. "Feteasca" means maiden, and "Alba" means royalty. It has a fruity, orange-like flavor. "Mysterium 2012" is named after the secret grape blend, meaning "secret." The maze-like label reveals the wine name under black light. This gives it a somewhat complex flavor.
"Trei Hectare Feteasca Neagra 2008" is made with Feteasca Neagra grapes ("Neagra" means black), and the flavor changes dramatically when poured into a large wine glass, surprising you. The "Original Cabernet Sauvignon 2011" was a fruity wine with a wonderful balance of tannins. "Romania has such wonderful Cabernets," commented our teacher, JSA Senior Wine Expert Kiori Hanyu. The final wine was the "Cotnari Tamaiosa Romaneasca 2005." It's sweet like a noble rot wine, but it also contains late-harvest grapes, retaining its acidity for an easy drinking experience. Riedel glasses were provided.
After the lesson, we enjoyed a quiz! My team won! We won "Zarea Diamond Collection Brut," a sparkling wine that has been produced in Romania since 1912! Of course, we shared it with the other teams.
The food paired with these wines was, of course, Romanian. The appetizer, burete cascaval (fried cheese balls), is a staple at Romanian festivals and apparently a favorite among children. The mititi (homemade sausage) boasted a chewy texture and a rich flavor thanks to Romania's distinctive spices. For dessert, palacsinta cu branza (cheese pie) and ice cream, perfectly paired with the wine, were also available.
Another feature of this event was the opportunity to experience the ambiance of a wine-producing country. A presentation by the Romanian Tourist Board showcased the beautiful scenery, still retaining its medieval streetscapes. Romania is home to 29 World Heritage Sites, and its capital, Bucharest, is known as the "Little Paris of the Balkans" for its scenic beauty. Other attractions include mountain hiking, a trolley train ride, and Bran Castle, famous for the legend of Count Dracula. The mud packs, known for their anti-aging and skin-beautifying properties, are so popular that they're even popular with European celebrities—more intriguing than the wine! The Romanian film "My Son," released on June 21, offers a glimpse into the contemporary Romania.
Fine Dine Discovery has previously featured wines from Bulgaria, Israel, Slovenia, and other countries. It was a different wine experience than usual, and I'm looking forward to the next one.
