Box: June 2014
Start summer in Romania, and a special gift !
Question: What do you know about Romanian wines ? Odds are, the answer is not much or nothing if your being truthful 
. IWCoK to the rescue!
First off, this is one of the oldest wine regions in history. Current day Romania has been making wine for over 6,000 years! The flat, warm is ideal for many varieties.
A second fact is that Romania is the 10th largest wines producing country in the world making a mix of high end and bargain basement – it is all there.
We had been wanting to “do” Romania for a while, but it has taken this long to find the right importer. Then we foundKassimex , a specialist in Romanian wines from the Timisoara region. This is the largest wine producing area in Romania and home to it’s top winery – Recas. Then we got to work testing about 20 wines (both here and in Timisoara) to pick out the best for our box this month.
Whites that are fruity and uncomplicated, reds with turbo powered flavor, and a Rose that is perfect for a hot weekend BBQ at a bargain price. We have it all (we even threw in a present 
!
La Putere Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine description:
- Country: Romania
- Grape: Cabernet Saugvinon
- Alcohol: 13,5%
- Style: Full-bodied, rich red wine
- Drink: Wine suitable for aging
- Supplier: KASSIMEX
- Price: 299 Kč
Mike's Tip
This was one of the more straight forward premium reds from the Sole range. Strong, but round, this one is perfect for red meat or another strong flavor dish.
Lautarul Feteasca Regala
Wine description:
- Country: Romania
- Grape: Falanghina
- Alcohol: 12,8%
- Style: Light and refreshing dry white wine
- Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
- Supplier: KASSIMEX
- Price: 175 Kč
Mike's Tip
Our first Feteasca Reagla. Light dry fruity finish. This is a local grape and given the hot dry land, a perfect companion for the summer.
Solo Quinta
Wine description:
- Country: Romania
- Grape: Cuveé
- Alcohol: 14%
- Style: Rich, full-bodied dry white wine
- Drink: Wine suitable for aging
- Supplier: KASSIMEX
- Price: 363 Kč
Mike's Tip
WOW. No wonder this wine has won so many medals and scored an 89 in one of those snobby magazines. Complex flavor, sweet fruits and banana, and a strong oak lead – delicious.
Sole Sauvignon Blanc
Wine description:
- Country: Romania
- Grape: Sauvignon blanc
- Alcohol: 13,5%
- Style: Light and refreshing dry white wine
- Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
- Supplier: KASSIMEX
- Price: 198 Kč
Mike's Tip
A good dose of citrus here with less pronounced “kopriva”. For those who don’t like their Sauvignon too green, this will be a hit.
Frunza Rose
Wine description:
- Country: Romania
- Grape: Cuveé
- Alcohol: 11,5%
- Style: Light semi-dry rose wine
- Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
- Supplier: KASSIMEX
- Price: 110 Kč
Mike's Tip
DRINK WELL CHILLED. What makes this one remarkable is the value at 85 Kc! A bit more sugar in this one (polosuche), so served cold with some Asian food or something spicy. Great summer value.
La Putere Fetasca Neagra
Wine description:
- Country: Romania
- Grape: Falanghina
- Alcohol: 14,9%
- Style: Full-bodied, rich red wine
- Drink: Wine suitable for aging
- Supplier: KASSIMEX
- Price: 299 Kč
Mike's Tip
OPEN 2 HOURS BEFORE DRINKING – The sister grape to Feteasca Reagla, the Feteasca Neagra can be a beast. If you are not in a hurry, stick this one away for 5 years and then enjoy it. If you want to drink it now, decant or open long before drinking.
Sole Shiraz / Feteasca Neagra
Wine description:
- Country: Romania
- Grape: Cuveé
- Alcohol: 13,7%
- Style: Full-bodied, rich red wine
- Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
- Supplier: KASSIMEX
- Price: 242 Kč
Mike's Tip
DRINK SLIGHTLY CHILLED – This is a light Shiraz blend that I recommend putting in the fridge for about 10 minutes before drinking. If too warm, the Fetasca will overpower you and trust me – you don’t want to go there.