Fetească Neagră

Portrait

Fetească Neagră, the "black maiden grape", is an old, pre-phylloxera Romanian red variety whose home is Moldavia. Today it is grown in Moldavia, Muntenia, Oltenia, Banat and northern Dobrogea, and in the Republic of Moldova, where it largely disappeared in the Soviet era. Dealu Mare and Cotești are regarded as reference sites.

The vine is cold- and drought-resistant, ripens late and has thick skins that give plenty of pigment. The wines are dry, medium-dry or sweet, at 12 to 14 % alcohol, with deep red colour with ruby highlights and dark fruit such as blackcurrant; they improve with age. Plum, dried herbs and smoke add to this, and the tannins are velvety. It used to be blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and is now mostly made as a varietal wine, often in oak.

Fetească Neagră pairs with lamb, game and braised dishes.