The grape variety „Fetească Neagră” (Black Feteasca - a red variety) was born through a natural selection of a wild vine, cultivated by Dacians between the Carpathians and the Dniester. Later this variety began to be cultivated in Muntenia and Transylvania. Although the area planted with this variety is relatively low, „Fetească Neagră” is considered the "standard-bearer" of the Romanian viticulture, from these grapes was born a wine with of high quality and special finesse. It can be found in the Old Kingdom, in the south of Moldavia (Vrancea, Vaslui, Galaţi), in Muntenia, in the area Dealu Mare (Prahova) and Ştefăneşti (Argeş).
The grapes have a cylindrical or cylindrical-conical shape with dense grains, dark red colour with shades of black- bluish. The wine made from this variety has a deep red colour with ruby reflexes with a specific flavour, with a hint of blackcurrant and a discreet olfactory character, with a slight taste of blackberries. It is a balanced wine, consistent and vigorous. Through the maturation in wooden casks for 2-3 years, or aging in bottles (up to ten years), the wine acquires new qualities. The „Fetească Neagră”, like all red wines, harmonizes with meat dishes, steaks, smoked sausages, pastrami and is indispensable for the Christmas table.
The Dealu Mare domains - the homeland of red wines, where „Fetească Neagră” is the queen
Dealu Mare is located at the foot of the Southern Carpathians, including the hills and valleys situated between the river Teleajen to the west and the Buzau River to the east, district of Wallachia. This vineyard covers large areas of white varieties but is famous for its red wines. The most sought after of these, free to Western Europe, is „Fetească Neagră”.
„An absolutely special variety from which are made intensely colored and very velvety wines. Red wines usually have astringency, a little bitterness, something that bothers certain people, but this Fetească Neagră has soft tannins. This wine has won a lot of awards and there are certain areas in Dealu Mare that are very favourable for this variety.”, says Adriana Contec (PhD in chemistry).
Among the most known and award-winning wines from the „Fetească Neagră” variety of the Dealu Mare domains are the following:
„Brutus”, a distinguished and full of class wine, matured in oak barrels, surprising because of the delicate, silky with fine tannins and a very aristocratic structure.
„Legendele Toamnei” (Legends of the Fall), a delicate wine with a full body and rich, a renowned ambassador of Romania in the world.
„Comoara Pivniţei” (Treasure of the Cellar), a wine with a delicate and aristocratic aroma, intense color and gentle taste.
International editions: