Fautor company has launched a new series of wines under the intriguing name “310 Altitudine”. 310 altitude is one of the highest places in the south of the Republic of Moldova. 310 is the height (above sea level) of the highest point of the vineyards on the Tigheci hills in the zone with the protected geographical indication of Valul-lui-Traian.
These vineyards are at the highest altitude in the south of Moldova. 310 m is slightly beyond the recommended height (100-300 m) for vineyards in our country. But this means also that these vines climbed closer to the sun. Interestingly, the topography of the rolling hills was reflected in the labels of wines. On a special paper, which has not yet been used in Moldova, an embossing of a real map from Google is made, where the point itself is painted – 310 m.
The 310 series Altitudine combined eight wines, of which seven are blends (three dry white, one pink, three red and one liqueur). Ruxanda Lipcan, marketing director at Fautor, told us, they wanted to produce a more accessible series of good interesting wines for consumers, following the way of creating blends.
Today I’m writing about Merlot & Rara Neagră, 2016. In this wine blend, Merlot holds a large share, which makes itself felt.
Ruby color with brilliant reflections. The light passes very beautifully through the wine in the glass, making them it admire. The first sensation – sweet overripe black berries. These flavors gave wine grapes. Slightly turning the glass, I discover the richness of the wine aromas. In them, the juicy pulp of ripe black cherries, slightly bitter black ashberry, black wild cherry, blackberries and vanilla sweetness. The wine leaves traces of glycerin on the side of the glass (glycerin, which is formed by alcoholic fermentation, gives the wine softness and sweetness in taste). The wine of Merlot & Rara Neagră has the average body, because the grape varieties Merlot and Rara Neagra do not carry a powerful tannins.
In order to strengthen it a little, Fautor winemakers used a short aging of wine materials (four months) in used barrels, so as not to focus on oak shades, but to keep the wines fresh. In the taste of wine there are black berries, coffee and black chocolate, light pleasant astringency, in the aftertaste remain coffee-chocolate shades and a slight dryness.
Varieties of Merlot and Rara Neagra grapes perfectly complement each other, – says Ruxanda Lipcan. – There are blends in which one variety helps another, but here they seem to be created for each other. Merlot and Rara Neagra are equal partners and form a successful union. They are both not very astringent, there is softness in their body. In the blend, these varieties create aromas and tastes, which are not found separately in each of them. One importer from Romania said that such wines are waiting for consumers in the Romanian market. But the wine was spilled only on August 22, 2017 and has not even managed to enter the local market. If immediately after bottling it is so bright shows itself, then in a month or two it will go even more into effect.
