Carmele Recas, Solo Quinta 2014, Romania
I have to say I absolutely loved this slightly bonkers wine. Made in north-western Romania by the progressive Carmele Recas, which has an English owner and Australian winemaker, it is an unlikely blend of the familiar grapes Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, the less familiar local varieties Feteasca Regala and Muscat Ottonel, and finally, the red wine grape, Cabernet Franc, but made as a highly aromatic white wine. Almost all grapes - whether black, green or red - have clear juice, so as long as you press the juice from black grapes before vinifying it, you will end up with a white wine.
Ageing in oak barrels gives an inviting toast and honey depth to the nose, but it is such wonderful spikes of perfume that really power this, from floral to herbal and from tropical to citrus, it's aromatic fireworks in a glass. On the palate the fruit is explosive too, bursting with ripe peach and pear, a mandarin orange brightness, and then a core of lemony acidity that streaks through the finish. Watch the video for my full review and for specific food matching suggestions.
£11.70 at Tanners, and see all stockists on wine-searcher.com.
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