Last Saturday, the 24th of February, I was happy to meet my fellow bloggers for the 1st time this year. The occasion was our 12th anniversary party, but also 130 blog meets, so how could I miss it ?! This happens at the end of every February, somewhere around our own Valentine’s Day, Mărțișor and Women’s Day. So this time of the year is very eventful and pleasant for us, the bloggers.
We enjoyed each other’s company, yummy food, divine wines, music and dancing, all in a fabulous location. The “Nicolae Romanescu” House, which belonged to the most devoted and refined mayor of Craiova, is probably the most beautiful and elegant heritage building from our city. Except for this beautiful building, he built a huge park, the 2nd biggest in Sout-Eastern Europe. Anyway, I would say that through his projects, Nicolae Romanescu is the mayor who changed the face of our city in the most remarkable way.
I am familiar enough with the building because, before we moved to Sweden back in 2009, we had our “farewell party” here. Also, when we got back in 2013, I had my first scrapbooking meeting here.
I mentioned “divine wines”, didn’t I? Well, they were. It’s the 2nd time in the last 12 months that I have the opportunity to enjoy wines from Vinju Mare. But first let me tell you about them. So, their domains are located in Mehedinti, which is in the south-western corner of Romania, just above the Danube river. They have started their activity in 2000 and they work on a surface of 134 hectares. They grow 4 types of white grapes (Tâmâioasă Românească, Sauvignon Blanc, Italian Riesling and Chardonnay) and 4 types of red grapes (Fetească Neagră, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah). I knew that their wines can be found in certain supermarket chains, but what I did not know is that they have their own store right here in Craiova, on Bulevardul Carol, no. 84. And their prices are really worth it.
They considered our event and they thoughtfully brought us 3 wines from 2 ranges dedicated to events. Some of their names are irresistibly poetic, “Mirage” and “Divine”.
But let’s start from the beginning:
The first wine (from the left) was an Italian Riesling from the “Mirage” range. A sparkling, dry white wine with an alcoholic volume of 12%, its sweet-and-sour aroma of green apples and its velvety taste, Mirage proved to be a perfect companion for the aperitifs we were delighted with.
As opposed to the Rhine Riesling which is somehow the “classic”, the Italian Rieslings benefit of more sun and are therefore sweeter and softer. Also, I seem to remember that, as opposed to the rest of the white wines, this one ages well once is bottled.
The 2nd wine was a rose from the same “Mirage” range. It was a perfect blend between Fetească Neagră and Syrah. Fresh and fruity, with its enchanting salmon colour, faint notes of forest fruits and citrus, a supple taste and a harmonious flavor, this wine will always remind you of your vacation days. It matched perfectly the warm appetizers that we savoured unreservedly.
And we are down to the last wine of the evening – and my favourite, to my surprise – the red wine of the event, Feteasca Neagră. Its intense ruby-red colour, perfect structure and aromas of well-ripened plums and black berries seduce you from the very first taste. The wine tricks you with its fine notes of vanilla that shyly break through the plums – but don’t be “fooled”, it has not spent a single day in a barrel. This velvety, full-bodied wine can be paired with fine cheeses, roast pork, lamb or chocolate desserts.
Which we did when the cake came. This year, we enjoyed a different cake made by a different artist. Chocolate cakes are not my favourite type of cake – but the cake made by Marian’s mother was extremely well-balanced from every point of view. So congratulations and many thanks!
The whole evening was divine, and im looking forward to the next event in this lovely company.
Hoping to see you on the next one, I say “CHEERS” to you all and let’s all have a great month of March!
Positive-Mind-4-Life 