{"id":14151,"date":"2020-03-18T19:25:52","date_gmt":"2020-03-18T19:25:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/en\/?p=14151"},"modified":"2020-03-18T19:31:06","modified_gmt":"2020-03-18T19:31:06","slug":"the-best-three-blends-of-carpe-diem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/en\/the-best-three-blends-of-carpe-diem\/","title":{"rendered":"The best three blends of Carpe Diem"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em><strong>Carpe Diem wines, once launched on the market in 2015,<\/strong><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/ion-luka-ot-vinoteki-k-sobstvennym-vinam\/\"><em><strong> <\/strong><\/em><\/a><em><strong>have captured attention by the extraordinary labels with<\/strong><\/em><a><em><strong> <\/strong><\/em><\/a><em><strong>photo portraits. None of Moldovan wineries have used such technique in label design before. The quality of wines has been set high straight away. Besides, Ion Luca has started to pay special attention to the local varieties of grapes from the very beginning. The debut series of four wines already included three from single-varietal indigene grapes and one blend containing such varieties. The wine blending story received continuation. The three blended wines described in this article were produced from grapes of the Feteasca group. Each of these wines has its own history.  \u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Carpe Diem Femme\nFatale, 2017&nbsp; <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The idea of blending\nwines Feteasca Alb\u0103 and Feteasca Regal\u0103 first emerged few years ago at a\nmeeting with Robert Joseph, a renowned wine expert, attended by Moldovan\nwinemakers at Carpe Diem Wine Room. Of course, they were tasting wines. At some\ninstance, Robert poured these two Carpe Diem wines in one glass and asked\neveryone to taste it. Then he asked whether any of the wineries was making such\nblends. He thought it was purely obvious while none of local experts had ever\ngiven it a thought. Ion Luca decided to fill in the gap. The name of the wine\ncame all by itself \u2013 there were two Feteasca\u2019s (two maidens) together, which by\nthe effect produced compares to Femme Fatale. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The grapes were grown\nin the central part of Moldova and harvested in due time. As a result, the wine\nhas moderate alcohol content of 12.5% ABV. The ratio of varieties Feteasca Alb\u0103\nand Feteasca Regal\u0103 is 50\/50. The overall number of bottles of Carpe Diem Femme\nFatale produced in 2017 amounted to 8200.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"770\" height=\"614\" src=\"https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_4579-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14039\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_4579-2.jpg 770w, https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_4579-2-300x239.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_4579-2-768x612.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_4579-2-585x466.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The color of wine is\nlight straw, shiny, with white flowers and citrus tinges in aroma. Gradually\nopening is the taste of almond, a bit greenish apricot, nectarine, and the\ndistant tinge of honeycomb. The empty glass keeps the aroma of honeycomb for\nlong. The wine has silky texture with a lemon tinge and lemon peel aftertaste. In\na while, the aftertaste changes, bringing a tinge of barberry. It is just a smooth\nand pleasant wine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Awards<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Gold Medals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Berliner Wein Trophy` 2018-summer tasting<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Asia Wine Trophy` 2018<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The name of the wine\nFemme Fatale reminds me of this song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Scorpions - Woman (Official Music Video)\" width=\"1170\" height=\"658\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fKqxB5w4ukg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Carpe Diem Bad Boys,\n2017<\/strong>\n<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The name of the wine Bad\nBoys purports \u2018bad boys\u2019 who invented this blend by using Feteasca Neagr\u0103 and\nSaperavi in equal proportions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>We combined in this wine the most famous Moldovan red grape varieties with the equally famous Georgian red grape variety symbolizing two different winemaking regions and two cultures. We did something that was never attempted before, and that is just because we are the \u2018Bad Boys\u2019. To make the best wine, we are looking for some blends that were never encountered before\u201d, Ion Luca, one of the \u2018Bad Boys\u2019, says with a smile. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The wine was bottled in\nFebruary 2019 (7,200 bottles), thus it has one year of bottle age. As soon as\nthe bottle is opened, the aromas released are so overwhelming and condensed\nthat I wanted to slice them. Alcohol by volume \u2013 14%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"770\" height=\"511\" src=\"https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_4659-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14040\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_4659-1.jpg 770w, https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_4659-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_4659-1-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_4659-1-585x388.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The wine is of deep\nruby color leaving beautiful prints on the glass. First nose \u2013 black forest\nberries with intense black sweet cherry and black pepper. Usually, in the first\nnose the detailed aromas (when the wine is just poured into a glass and it was\nnot yet swelled for aeration) cannot be distinguished, but this wine is an\nexclusion.&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Present in its bouquet (wine matured during 12 months in French barriques) is a pure aroma of black overripe sweet berries \u2013 tart and sweet cherry, blackberry as well as black pepper, prunes, freshly opened pomegranate topped up with a bit of black current gem. The wine has an excellent balance between alcohol, tannins and acidity. Pure taste, dry at fist sip, obvious vital acidity and mature tannins. Present in the taste is a slight bitterness of wild black overripe cherry and a transiting sweetness accompanied by light spicy tinge. Cocoa tinge is clearly present in the aftertaste. Empty glass emanates aromas of black-colored berries, noble leather and a nuance of bay leaf. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A bit later, I poured\nwine in my glass again. In addition to the already listed flavors, there\nappeared tinges of vanilla, in the wine taste at first, opening up later on in\nthe bouquet nutmeg and a light breeze of cinnamon. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Carpe Diem Bad\nBoys, 2017 impressed me a lot; it is a rather interesting, lively, young wine. It\nis also one of the best Moldovan blends. Apparently so simple, just two grape varieties\nand a high quality barrel, but look what an impressive wine we\u2019ve got! Interesting\nenough that the rampage of fruit in the bouquet was not affected by the barrel\nmaturation. The wine could be decanted to get the best of it at once. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Awards<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Gold medals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Asia Wine Trophy` 2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Berliner Wein Trophy` 2019 summer tasting<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Portugal Wine Trophy` 2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Silver medal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Berliner Wein Trophy\/ Winter Edition` 2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The most expensive Moldovan wine in Korea <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Carpe Diem Bad Boys,\n2017 could be found in a wine shop in the city of Busan at $80 per bottle. The\nowner of the wine room decides on the mark up independently, but what makes the\nwinemaker happy is that the orders from Korea are on permanent grounds. If the\norders continue coming, it means that the price and the quality of wine are\nmeeting the requirements of the respective market. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Bad Boys, smiling\nat us from the wine bottle label reminded of that voice and that famous song. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube aligncenter wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"\u041b\u0443\u0438 \u0410\u0440\u043c\u0441\u0442\u0440\u043e\u043d\u0433\" width=\"1170\" height=\"878\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4b7G48aiL04?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Carpe Diem\nBreaking Red, 2017&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>This wine furthered the theme of breaking the stereotypes and rules as we used for this blend the varieties of grapes (Cabernet-Sauvignon \u2013 30% and Merlot \u2013 30%), which are traditionally used in wine assemblages. In our wine these varieties were successfully blended with the local variety Feteasca Neagr\u0103 (40%)\u201d, Ion Luca explains. <\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"770\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_4672-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14041\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_4672-1.jpg 770w, https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_4672-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_4672-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_4672-1-585x389.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The wine was bottled in February 2019 (one year of bottle\nageing). Its alcohol by volume is 14.5%. Breaking Red, 2017 is\nof deep ruby color, while the glass edge shows pure ruby color. The first nose\n\u2013 black overripe berries. The wine opens\nwith a bouquet of dried prunes, black currant, seasoned black cherry,\nblackberry, black pepper and a tinge of dried tobacco leaf. These are followed\nby the nutmeg, cinnamon, dried fruit compote, a pinch of chocolate accompanied\nby the earthy nuances.&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Silky texture, soft, mature tannins, sufficiently high\nacidity. The alcohol is perfectly well integrated into the wine body and could\nnot be distinguished in the aroma or taste. The flavor of berries is wrapping\nup the mouth giving the 3D impression. Tart cherry and plums could be\ndistinguished in its taste followed by light chocolate aftertaste. Empty glass\nemanates the fragrance of fresh berries. Once the wine is saturated with more\noxygen (the bottle has been kept open for three hours already), I poured it\nonce again in my glass. Breaking Red has slightly changed in its\naftertaste: it turned more tart cherry in taste. So much pleasure! This wine definitely feels perfect.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Awards<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Gold medals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Berliner Wein Trophy` 2019-summer tasting<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Asia Wine Trophy` 2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Mundus Vini Summer Tasting` 2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Winemaker\u2019s secrets<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Ion has highlighted that he picks up the grapes in small-size\nboxes suitable for 5 to 6 kg, which allows to deliver intact bunches of grapes\nto the winery. This is especially important for white grape varieties. These\nare delivered from the vineyard in refrigerators cooled down to 15-16<sup>\u043e<\/sup>\u0421\nand then processed using classical technological methods of winemaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>All varieties of grapes are processed separately using selected yeasts by the Champagne Institute of Enology, so as all other winemaking materials, Ion Luca reveals. All red wines are subject to malolactic fermentation with addition of bacteria. To that end I renounce on too much experimenting, just trying to stick to the winemaking rules at maximum without wild yeasts and bacteria. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Each of the red varieties is subject separately barrel ageing. For the wines used to produce Bad Boys and Breaking Red, I used 70% of new barriques and 30% for the second or third fill. For Bad Boys \u2013 with stronger toasting and for Breaking Red \u2013 with milder toast. Then the instance of blending comes. The ratio of varieties is not repeated from one year to another. My job is to approximate the current year\u2019s wine to the previous vintage so that the consumer could get the familiar taste that he already likes\u201d.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Lucky with support <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>I am one of the lucky people to enjoy the support granted by Moldova Competitiveness Project, financed by the USAID and the Government of Sweden under the technical assistance provided to the Moldovan Small Wine Producers Association, Ion Luca says. In fact, my enterprise received equipment for wine production \u2013 three stainless steel tanks of different capacity, a pump, and refrigeration equipment. We are also using a bottle-labeling machine, purchased for common use by members of the Association. The donors have purchased a great deal of equipment to this end. These days we expect delivery of equipment for barrel steaming. This equipment is very expensive; therefore, not every small winemaker can afford purchasing it. In addition, it is rarely used. We are also planning to rent it at fair price. Overall, it is an excellent concept of common use of equipment, allowing to save on renting and purchase something new instead. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>To develop the tourism component of our winery, we were paid almost half of the contract on fenestration of the winery, since we needed a lot of glass. We are building it from scratch with the idea of receiving visitors. In addition to production, we intend to develop tourism as well. We constructed the winery\u2019s main building and a cellar, and this process was rather complicated and expensive. Currently we are doing interior jobs. It is our desire to place the 2020 vintage wines for storage in the new cellar.\u201d <\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Casa Vinicola Luca is now producing some 100 thousand bottles per year. During the last two years we managed to change notably the assortment of our products. If in the past we used to produce white and red wines in equal volumes, then starting with the 2018 harvest the focus shifted to red wines. This is explained by the growing demand in China. As of the end of 2019, a classical sparkling wine was added to the portfolio of Casa Vinicola Luca, while currently we are preparing to launch our first dessert wine \u2013 Late Harvest, from Viorica grape variety. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Carpe Diem wines, once launched on the market in 2015, have captured attention by the extraordinary labels with photo portraits. None of Moldovan wineries have used such technique in label&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14038,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"slim_seo":{"title":"The best three blends of Carpe Diem - Wine and Spirits","description":"Carpe Diem wines, once launched on the market in 2015, have captured attention by the extraordinary labels with photo portraits. None of Moldovan wineries have"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[400],"tags":[2610,2612,2609,2613,2614],"class_list":["post-14151","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wines-en","tag-carpe-diem-bad-boys","tag-carpe-diem-breaking-red","tag-carpe-diem-femme-fatale","tag-carpe-diem-wines","tag-ion-luca"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14151","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14151"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14151\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14152,"href":"https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14151\/revisions\/14152"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14038"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14151"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14151"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wine-and-spirits.md\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14151"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}