JIDVEI | Owner’s Choice | Maria | Feteasca Alba | 2022
feteasca alba

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Today we are going to review a single varietal feteasca alba wine from the cool Jidvei region in the heart of Transylvania, Romania – Owner’s Choice Maria Feteasca Alba 2022 by Jidvei. Feteasca Alba is an old, indigenous romanian variety, that dates back for almost two thousand years – a variety that is little known outside of Romania and Moldova. Feteasca Alba wines stand out from the crowd mostly due to their delicate balance and elegance on the palate. There is a rising demand for feteasca alba wines both, on the local market as well as on the international markets and many experts name this variety as one of the visit cards of romanian white wines. Some even say that feteasca alba is the only grape variety that can display notes of vine blossom in its aroma profile. The grapes for this wine were sourced from the south-exposed slopes of the Târnave Valley vineyards, which are part of the Jidvei DOC. This wine is part of the Owner’s Choice range, named after the two of his daughters: Ana & Maria. This is the winery’s flagship line, made only of carefully selected wines through an internal procedure of blind tasting. In order to preserve the varietal characteristics of the feteasca alba grapes and at the same to develop a creamy texture on the mouthfeel and gain extra sophistication on the aromatic profile, the wine has been aged for 6 months in contact with the fine lees (the dead yeast cells that are left over from the fermentation process). That said and without further ado, let’s move on straight to our tasting results.
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Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:

//Visual
color: pale lemon color
clarity: bright yellow hues

//Olfactory
intensity: pronounced & delicate
fruit character: ripe

This wine’s nose opens with a captivating and yet delicate aromatic complexity. Leading the charge are pronounced notes of honeysuckle, acacia and daisy. These are intertwined with hints of ripe sweet fruits, like asian pear, apple and white nectarine, adding a touch of vibrancy and elegance. As the fragrance evolve, a subtle layer of buttery richness emerges, hinting at sur lie aging. The background reveals delicate herbal notes and citrus: chamomile, white grapefruit and lemon candy, adding a touch of complexity and freshness to the wine’s already intriguing and complex aromatic profile.

//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity: medium+ | alcohol: high | tannin: low | balance: good
finish: medium | aftertaste: smooth & velvety

The palate mirrors the nose, offering a delightful dance of ripe and sweet fruit flavors, mingling with hints of zesty citrus and delicate floral undertones that echo from the nose, adding a touch of much desired elegance. The crisp acidity keeps the wine lively, balanced by a noticeable touch of alcoholic warmth that adds more structure to the body. Despite the warmth, the finish is smooth and velvety, leaving a pleasant and lingering sensation. The wine’s body is surprisingly lean and round, with a remarkable smoothness.

//Verdict
maturity: in its prime | drink now or within 1 year
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a quite appealing wine of very good quality

Overall, this is a quite harmonious Feteasca Alba wine that displays very good varietal typicity, both on the nose and on the palate. The silky and well-integrated leesy influence adds the much-desired complexity without overwhelming the delicate floral character of the wine. Come to think about it, this is probably one of the best single-varietal feteasca alba wines that we’ve tasted so far – a great choice for those wine enthusiasts looking for a unique representation of this indigenous grape variety.

//Scoring
JIDVEI | Owner’s Choice | Maria | Feteasca Alba | 2022
variety: feteasca alba
country: Romania | Transilvania
region: Jidvei | Tarnave-Jidvei
rating: 93.3
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This is definitely a fine wine of Romania and with a total of 93.3 points scored, this wine is right there, among the best wines we’ve rated so far. Check our complete database on the wine rating page, where you can find all the wines that we have tasted and reviewed or go to the about us page and find out more about our exquisite rating system.

Pairing: Due to the wine’s balanced acidity, ripe fruit character, and subtle floral notes, we believe it would be a fantastic pairing partner for creamy pasta with grilled shrimp and garlic. The wine’s crisp acidity will cut through the richness of the cream sauce, while its ripe fruit flavors will complement the natural sweetness of the shrimp. In the same key, the subtle floral notes in the wine will add to the richness of the garlic flavour, thus enhancing the overall flavor profile, creating a harmonious interplay of textures. Enjoy!

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© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation.