Mehedinți wines awarded at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge

The Mehedinți vineyard lies in the extreme south-west of Romania, in Oltenia, within the broad range of hills known as Dealurile Munteniei și Olteniei. It covers Mehedinți county, around Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Corcova and Vânju Mare, close to the Danube. The soils are reddish-brown, permeable and clay-sandy, resting on a reddish clay subsoil rich in iron oxides, a terroir inherited from the Getic Piedmont. The climate benefits from strong sunshine and some of the lowest rainfall totals in the country, both favourable to grape ripening. Authorised varieties include, among whites, chardonnay, fetească albă, fetească regală, pinot gris, riesling, sauvignon, muscat ottonel and tămâioasă românească, and among reds cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot noir, syrah, fetească neagră and novac. The Severin and Drîncea hillsides, within this same county, were historically renowned for their red wines.

The wines of this appellation

Mehedinți produces white, rosé and red wines. Whites made from chardonnay, fetească albă or sauvignon are bright, ranging from pale green to straw yellow, with aromas of exotic fruit, flowers and sometimes vanilla or mineral notes; aromatic varieties such as muscat ottonel and tămâioasă românească give floral, supple and well-balanced wines. Reds built on cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot noir or fetească neagră show a deep ruby to garnet colour and aromas of red and black fruit, plum and cocoa, with present but rarely rustic tannins; historically, the red wines of this county, particularly those of Severin and Drîncea, ranked among the most reputed in Romania. Fresh whites pair with poultry and fish, aromatic wines suit spiced cuisines, while structured reds go well with red meat, game and matured cheeses.