You may not be familiar with the wines of
Moldova, but this Eastern European country, bordering Romania and Ukraine, has been producing wines for some 5,000 years.
Most of it's commercial wines are produced for export and the industry is vital to the country's economy. Russia has been the main destination for Moldovan wines however that is changing as Russia has imposed bans on the importation of wines from the country due to 'Phyto-sanitary' concerns. In reality Russia is trying to discourage Moldova from seeking closer ties with Europe.
I have no concerns about the quality of Purcari wines. The LCBO tests the products it imports and the Queen of England imports one of the 1990 vintages for personal consumption. If it's fit for the Queen then it is fit for me.
This particular wine is made with
babeasca neagra grapes. This variety is cultivated in Romania and Moldova, but is also grown in Ukraine and New York State where it is known as Sereksia.
According to Wikipedia, the Romanian words mean "Grandmother's Black" but are known to produce light-bodied, fruity red wines. This wine however is full-bodied, as we will discuss below.
Wine: Purcari Rara Neagra de Purcari
Location: Moldova
Alcohol content: 14%
Sugar content: 6g/L
Price: $20.95
Vintages number: 426262
The wine is an extremely deep red colour making the 'neagra' name understandable. The smells are subtle but I detect slight vanilla, spice and berry. At 14% alcohol, it is classically defined as a full-bodied wine (According to my sources at
Winepair.com). I have previously incorporated the flavour profile in my understanding of light, medium and full-bodied wines but this is apparently not the accepted definition. Apparently it refers almost exclusively to the alcohol content of the wine. The more alcohol the more viscous the wine feels in your mouth.
For people who have been following my blog, this is a reminder that I am an amateur who appreciates wine but is definitely not a connoisseur. I will correct this in future reviews but judge past reviews accordingly.
Like the smells, the flavours are more subtle than one might expect. Plum, vanilla and slight spice with a slightly astringent finish. Of the previous wines I have reviewed, I would say the flavour profile is reminiscent of the Romanian Domaines Vincon and the feel similar to the first wine I reviewed, the Tamada Mukuzani from the Republic of Georgia.
Although this wine does not contain the strong berry flavours I usually prefer, this wine is a pleasure to drink. Smooth with a clean finish, this is a wine I would gladly drink again.
Recommendation: Uncork
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
