What is RO Wine / The International Wine Festival of Romania and why is important?
You could call it a tradition already, even though it's just the second time it is organized in Cluj Napoca. It's the brand responsible for spring and fall wine festivals, in Bucharest and other cities, but it is also so much more than that. It's a place and a moment where fine wines and fine people are brought together and interact. It's a knowledge hub, a training center for your senses, a place for pleasure and wisdom as well, a platform for gourmet food to be paired with wines that meet the requested standards. But most of all is a place where wine producers and wine lovers meet and exchange information and attitudes. The consumers find out about the trends, the producers find out what the consumers need and want.
What’s the most interesting thing happening in world of Romanian wine?
First of all, the constant increase in quality and diversity. Winemakers learnt the true potential of their vineyards and are now in the final stage of their experiments, but they mostly know already what they want from their fruits, what they're able to do with it, what style is best suited for their wines. Then it’s the general effervescence of the market - there are wine-related events every day, everywhere, from simple wine tastings and samplings to larger, even regional events. Last but not least, the consumers are becoming more and more educated, more demanding. In cities like Cluj, Timisoara or Sibiu, the clients know exactly what to expect from a certain producer, a label or a wine region.
Name one or two wine writers you admire and why?
There are many, but I'd mention Madeline Puckette and Justin Hammack, the people behind Wine Folly. They are the kind of people that love wine, know wine but also know how to speak wine. They gave up the formal etiquette and are now able to share sophisticated information in an easy to understand manner. They are the true wine teachers of today.
Does the size and shape of the glass matter?
Yes, it does, but I wouldn't say it's the center of the wine universe. You need a good glass, one that allows the wine to breathe but still hold its flavor, to open up and speak, but that's all, you only need a glass that doesn't "kill" the wine. Also, I am against decanting, you miss an important part of that wine opening up and transforming.
What’s your all-time favorite wine?
That's impossible to say, each moment of the day, each day of the year deserves its own wine. Being knowledgeable means being able to choose the best wine for each moment. But, if we discuss style, I love vintage Champagne and elegant structured red wine.
International editions: