no
088
Cotnari
Graša de Cotnari
What Tokaj is for Hungary around the world, Cotnari used to carry that flag for Romania at one time
Romania, Cotnari, Graša de Cotnari, DOC-CMD, 2011
introduction
Nowadays it is not really known outside the country, a botrytised sweet white wine with an amazing history, going back many centuries. Graša de Cotnari is associated with the Cotnari vineyard, in the Moldova region of the country, in the north-east and the grape variety is also called Graša de Cotnari. Cotnari does produce other wine types as well.
After the Second World War interest in sweet white wine declined and combined with bad wine making in the communist era, as well as diverting export to the Soviet Union, Cotnari lost its international presence. It still has a long way to go, even though the quality has improved, exporting a little more and winning awards again at times. The Romanians are proud of their Cotnari and Cotnari says of their own product: ‘The Cotnari wine is not for drinking, but for tasting, it is the divine promise’.
introduction
Nowadays it is not really known outside the country, a botrytised sweet white wine with an amazing history, going back many centuries. Graša de Cotnari is associated with the Cotnari vineyard, in the Moldova region of the country, in the north-east and the grape variety is also called Graša de Cotnari. Cotnari does produce other wine types as well.
After the Second World War interest in sweet white wine declined and combined with bad wine making in the communist era, as well as diverting export to the Soviet Union, Cotnari lost its international presence. It still has a long way to go, even though the quality has improved, exporting a little more and winning awards again at times. The Romanians are proud of their Cotnari and Cotnari says of their own product: ‘The Cotnari wine is not for drinking, but for tasting, it is the divine promise’.
Year:
2011
Approx:
£ 10.00
Best Served:
10-12 °C
Vol:
11.5 %
Review Date:
25 . 11 . 2015
Origin:
Romania
Wine specifics
Ready to drink and can keep well for some time. Ripe, round, fruity, hints of walnut and almond aromas. Serving: blue cheeses, nuts, dried fruit and with some fine chocolate. A striking label, yellow and gold, with a small drawing of Cotnari castle. In their cellars they still have a large number of different vintages, going back a long time. Obtained in UK in specialist outlet. Cork.
Ready to drink and can keep well for some time. Ripe, round, fruity, hints of walnut and almond aromas. Serving: blue cheeses, nuts, dried fruit and with some fine chocolate. A striking label, yellow and gold, with a small drawing of Cotnari castle. In their cellars they still have a large number of different vintages, going back a long time. Obtained in UK in specialist outlet. Cork.
Insights:
The Moldova region is one of seven wine regions in Romania, the largest with a third of the country’s vineyards and many producing white wine. Botrytis or Noble Rot is a type of fungus that shrivels and decays wine grapes, which starts naturally once grapes are ripe, preferably initially under some wet conditions. Once dry conditions stimulate the process of drying out and sugar concentration, each winemaker will choose his/her moment of harvesting, to get their type of wine. Under constant wet conditions this process can go wrong. DOC-CMD, stands for Denumire de Origine Controlată-Cules la Maturitate Deplină (picked at full maturity).
Review Date:
25 . 11 . 2015
