Ep265 - Romanian Wine Explained: Indigenous Grapes, Fetească Neagră & Europe's Most Underrated Wine Region with Cramele Recas

Romania is home to some of Europe's most exciting indigenous grape varieties, yet remains one of the continent's most overlooked wine destinations. In this episode, Janina sits down with Winemaking duo and Husband and Wife, Nora Iriarte and Hartley Smithers of Cramele Recaș to explore Fetească Neagră, Fetească Regală and Fetească Albă, uncovering why Romanian wine deserves far more attention from wine lovers around the world.

Along the way, they debate cork versus screwcap, discuss natural fermentation and minimal intervention winemaking, explain how climate change is affecting Romanian vineyards, and reveal the realities of producing quality wine at scale.

You'll also discover Romania's key wine regions, get wine travel recommendations for Timișoara, learn why Fetească Neagră is one of Europe's most exciting red grapes, and hear firsthand what modern Romanian winemaking looks like today.

Shownotes

1:45 – Introduction to Cramele Recas and their sustainability credentials

3:49 – An overview of the wine regions in Romania

06:19 – Nora's unforgettable introduction to the wine world and the hilarious misunderstanding that filled her car with wine samples.

09:13 – Hartley's biggest lesson after decades in wine: why not everything in wine education should be accepted without question.

13:03 – Cork versus screwcap: a candid discussion about wine closures and preserving wine quality.

14:35 – The winemaking tasks they secretly love most, from lees stirring to hand plunging.

17:24 – Nora's passion for blending logistics, mathematics and winery efficiency.

18:53 – Romania's key indigenous wine grapes explained: Fetească Regală, Fetească Albă and Fetească Neagră.