Romanian Wine Houses

One good way to get good wine in Romania is to visit the wine houses. These are tiny cubby holes with several barrels, marked as to whether the wine is red, white, dry or sweet. You may even have semisweet or semidry. There is a difference. As I prefer dry, I tend to choose semidry as opposed to semisweet if there is no other option.

These wines aren't at all complex—in other words, you won't notice layers and layers of flavor, starting with one thing and finishing with something else—but you won't find major flaws either. You can count on them to be consistently enjoyable.

They will put the wine into a plastic liter bottle with a twist-cap for you. I don't know how long the wine lasts before spoiling in the plastic. It doesn't tend to last very long without being drunk in my house.

2005 Recas Cabernet Sauvignon

Winery: Cramele Recas
Country: Romania
Alc. by Vol.: 13%
Price: 12,29 RON (about $5)

I have no idea if 2005 is a good year, but it tasted pretty good to me. The bottle calls it a “powerful red wine with spicy aroma.” Maybe my taste buds aren't developed enough to detect the spice. I've tasted spice before, in a pinot I would give my right arm to remember the name of because it was one of the best wines I've ever had. But if there was spice in this one it was well-hidden under the vanilla. Now THAT, I tasted.

I have to admit, the Recas cab is my favorite Romanian wine thus far. Unlike many Romanian reds, it is dry. We had it with a mild cascaval (cheese), which was a mistake, as the wine made the cheese run away with its tail between its legs. We also had some good white bread, a Granny Smith apple and some chocolate – Heidi 55% cacao Dark Coffee, which was a good choice.

Three Things To Remember About Serving Wine at Your Home on Valentine's Day -- Point 3

If you still aren't sure what your date likes, buy a couple of bottles—a white and a red, preferably merlot, which is a nice safe bet. People who don't normally drink wine generally have an easy time with merlot. If she is a fan of wine coolers and fruity drinks, however, you might do well with a sweet white.

There's really not that much to it. This is not a time for you to prove your wine prowess. This is a time to enjoy yourself. Don't pretend to be an expert if you're not. Besides, the more honest approach may pave the way for some laughs and laughs always loosen people up.

Three Things To Remember About Serving Wine at Your Home on Valentine's Day -- Point 2

Drink sparingly. You do not want to get yourself or your date drunk. Nothing physical will happen if you get yourself or you date drunk. Repeat: If drunk, no sex. The mind may be willing, but the flesh will say, “Uh-uh, Romeo. Go to sleep.”

Three Things To Remember About Serving Wine at Your Home on Valentine's Day -- Point 1

Buy the wine your date likes. If you don't know, it's time to start asking. If your date doesn't like wine, then have a little champagne with dessert. The effort will be appreciated and she or he won't feel obligated to suffer through a beverage they don't like for an entire meal.

Ordering Valentine's Day Wine

I had originally planned to discuss Romanian wineries today, but time's a-wastin' so I thought I'd talk about VD...erm, Valentine's Day...instead. Wine expert Jordan Mackay has a nifty little
article about not to freak out when ordering wine out in a restaurant.

But if you ask me, it will be tons more romantic and tons less freak-out worthy if you just invite your date back to your place. You can save money doing this too. Tomorrow I'll begin posting some tried-and-true tips for having a nice, stress-free romantic time with wine in the privacy of your own home.

Enjoying Wine

“Drink to me only with thine eyes,
“And I will pledge with mine;
“Or leave a kiss but in the cup,
“And I'll not look for wine.”
~ Ben Jonson

It's pretty Ben, but no. The kiss goes on the lips; the wine goes in the cup. When conversation slips, refill it and drink up! Welcome to my new wine blog. I love wine. I have imbibed a lot of wine. I will imbibe a lot more. Yes Jimi, I am experienced, but I couldn't tell you what goes with Cornish game hen, mostly because I don't eat Cornish game hen. I am a wine drinker who refuses to follow the rules. If you're a beginner, or if you are not sure how to behave around wine drinkers or if you are just intimidated by the blood of the grape, then make regular visits to this blog and know you are not alone. I will be giving a hats off to the experts from time to time, with the express understanding that most of what they say will go in one ear and out the other. If I want to drink Japanese plum wine with chocolate, then by the gods, that's what I'll do. (And you should too!) No worries, just fun. I will also be reviewing actual bottles of wine. Which, of course, means I have to DRINK actual bottles of wine. I love how that works! Right now I'm in Romania, so that will be wine from Romania and surrounding countries.

Come back tomorrow for the first in a series on VD ... I mean Valentine's Day tips.

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