The bestseller wine of this summer is, of course, Fautor Albarino, 2015. The wine was launched on the market in April in a limited edition of only 3100 bottles. And today you can’t find it at the producer because it is already out of stock. But you can still find it in some stores (the shelf price is about 145 lei). So hurry.
The spanish white grape variety, Albariño, is a guest in Moldova. It is not yet listed in the country’s official registry of plants, though it is permitted to be planted in our country, and it grows in the vineyards of Fautor company just as an experiment. So, in Moldova, you can find only 4ha of Albarino and only in the Romanovca village.
The origin of this variety is still a matter of controversy among experts. Some experts say it is a “kin” variety of Riesling called Alba Rhino (white grape on the Rhine). Others say it appeared on the Atlantic coast of Spain thanks to French monks, in the twelve century. They founded the monastery Ponteverde and started to grow grapes, that is why it could possibly have French roots that are related to the variety Viognier. However, Albarino has really organoleptic similarities with Riesling.
The first crop of moldavian Albarino was folded in 2014, but the harvest was too small and it was used just in a blend, in this way Fautor Cuvee Blanc, 2014 appeared on the market. The next harvest the producer brought to market the 100% Albarino.
“We decided to impress our consumers with 100% Albariño, and launched the wine in an interesting design, – says marketing director Ruxanda Lipcan. – French bottle and the label recall the roots of this variety: Atlantic coast of Spain, therefore we made an illustration that reminds you of waves. Near the Albarino plantation in the Romanovca village we have a beautiful lake – we have kept the tradition of having water source in the vineyards.”
The alcohol is 13.4%, but you can not feel it because the wine is very well balanced. It is easy drinkable but with a complex flavor that can make you think of a slight sweetness, yet it is somewhat misleading since you will wait to repeat the sensation of sweetness. However, the acid has a pleasant taste of the wine, as well as to Riesling. The flavor of Albarino from Fautor is quite complex, floral, with notes of peach, pear, apricot, green apple and lime. The wine has a pleasant fruity taste which you can feel about seven seconds.
In my imagination Albariño is associated with the sea, with a gentle breeze, tanned people in white who walk along the coast. These people would enjoy this wine in a summer evening in a pleasant company without any hurry. Wine is so easy that you would not feel the need to associate it with food. But if you still want to have a snack, then I recommend to try it with vegetables or cheese.
