A good surprise from Romania came late-October, when AVINCIS Winery has released a new wine, called Cuvée Valerius – Alutus Primus.
The cuvée wine is the first edition of the first harvest of Alutus grape in 2020.
What makes this wine so special? The central point is "Alutus" name and here is why...
In Oltenia, a region in southwestern part of Romania where the Olt River flows, there are several well-known vineyards and wineries. One of them, close to Dragasani location, is Avincis, whose origin goes back to 1927, hence a history close to one century.
In the last quarter of 20th century, The Research Station for Viticulture and Viniculture in Drăgășani obtained the Alutus grape, from the crossbreeding of the Romanian grape variety, Băbeasca Neagră, and the Georgian variety Saperavi. By the way, the name "Alutus" came from the Latin name of the Olt River.
Now let's go back to 2020, AVINCIS Winery harvested the first yields from a half-hectare, later another 5 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were grafted in green. The Domaine Vila Dobrușa – Crama Avincis is the only one in the world that has a plantation with this variety of vines.
After fermentation of the grapes picked in autumn 2020, the wine was aged in French oak barrels for 15 months, and then bottled in the special reserve of 2200 bottles.
The presentation of Cuvée Valerius – Alutus Primus took place as part of a larger gastronomic event organized by Cristian Preotu, the owner of the Le Manoir group, at Le Manoir Gourmet Market.
Wine Tasting
The Alutus Cuvee 2020 captivates with an extraordinarily intense, deep purple hue, hinting at the depth and complexity within. The bouquet is rich and layered, beginning with bold notes of cherry, blackberry, blueberry, and currant, which seamlessly give way to subtle hints of chocolate, liquorice, dried fruit, and a delicate touch of violet. Each aromatic layer contributes to the wine’s unique and sophisticated character.
On the palate, Alutus Cuvee is gentle yet powerful, offering a refined balance of strength and elegance. The tannins are velvety and smooth, enhancing the wine’s full-bodied nature without overpowering. This complexity, along with its strong structure, hints at excellent aging potential, promising an even greater experience in the years to come.
How to Enjoy
Serve at around 17°C for optimal flavor. Decanting for an hour is recommended to fully reveal its depth and subtlety. Alutus Cuvee pairs beautifully with dishes like duck breast, game stew, aged cheeses, and risottos, making it a perfect choice for rich, hearty meals.
Instead of conclusion
The deep purple color, the wide aromatic palette, the velvety touch on the palate and the flavor of the taste give personality to this unique Romanian wine and completes the range of great Romanian red wines – Alutus, Negru de Drăgășani, Fetească Neagră.