Murfatlar wines awarded at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge

The Murfatlar appellation lies on the southern Dobrogea plateau in southeastern Romania, between the Danube and the Black Sea, on either side of the Carasu valley. It covers the localities of Murfatlar, Valu lui Traian, Poarta Albă, Ovidiu, Ciocârlia and Cobadin. The soils rest on shell limestone rich in calcium carbonate, overlaid with loess. The climate is continental, with hot, dry summers, mild winters and among the highest sunshine levels in the country, exceeding 2,200 hours a year, combined with low rainfall. These conditions favour thorough ripening of the grapes, at times reaching overripeness. Authorized white varieties include Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Muscat Ottonel, Sauvignon, Riesling, Fetească Regală and Fetească Albă; red varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Fetească Neagră and Syrah. Murfatlar forms a distinct denomination within the wider Dobrogea winegrowing region.

The wines of this appellation

Murfatlar produces white, rosé and red wines, ranging from dry to sweet, as well as ice wines made from grapes frozen on the vine. The whites show a greenish-yellow to golden colour, a velvety texture and aromas of cut hay, acacia blossom, citrus and exotic fruit; Chardonnay, helped by the limestone soil and long sunshine, finds particularly favourable conditions here. The rosés, pale to deeper pink, display exotic fruit and citrus notes with marked freshness. The reds, ruby to deep violet in colour, are full-bodied with supple tannins; Cabernet Sauvignon develops blueberry and blackberry aromas lifted by chocolate notes, while the native Fetească Neagră recalls dried plum. White and rosé wines pair with fish, seafood and poultry; the reds suit red meats and game; ice wines are well suited to desserts or foie gras.