VINARTE | Sirena Dunarii | MagiQ | #
welschriesling

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Domaine Vinarte has always been synonym with the terroir of Romania, particularly that of the Mehedinti-Starmina region. The winery is known for its commitment to showcasing indigenous grape varieties and traditional winemaking techniques while embracing modern practices that elevate quality.
Today we are going to review a wine of legendary status, as it is not only a delicious, single-varietal welschriesling dessert wine, but a real gem from the relatively unknown Mehedinti region of Romania – Sirena Dunarii MagiQ by Domaine Vinarte. Welschriesling (also known as wälschriesling, welschrizling, laskirizling, olaszrizling, riesling italico or italian riesling) has nothing to do with the great german riesling – the former is a late ripening grape variety that can produce high-acid, gently aromatic white wines of good to very good quality, particularly in Burgenland (Austria), where it regularly makes superb, sweet botrytised dessert wines. It is also planted widely in Friuli (Italy), Slovenia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Albania and even China.

What makes today’s wine truly unique, is that the welschriesling grapes were affected by noble rot (also known as botrytis cinerea) – a fungus that shrivels and dehydrate the wine grapes, thus concentrating acids and sugars, which in turn intensifies the sweetness level of the wine and adds flavor complexity, due to higher levels of phenylacetaldehyde (a special aroma compound found mostly in botrytis affected berries), creating some of the most delicious sweet wines in the world. But that’s not all, in order to enhance the overall complexity of the wine and make it truly enchanted (this is exactly what the label says – vin fermecat, which means enchanted wine), it has been aged in acacia barrels for an astonishing period of 60 months (5 years)!

Today’s wine originates from the fertile, hilly landscapes of Mehedinti wine region, where the climate is characterized by warm summers and relatively mild winters, which form almost ideal conditions for ripening grapes. The region is situated in the Carpathian foothills, benefiting from the moderate continental climate influenced by the nearby Danube river. The landscape, marked by rolling hills and valley terraces, provides excellent drainage and ample sunlight, crucial for grape cultivation. The soils are characterized by brown soils on slopes alongside fertile alluvial soils found in valley areas.

color: deep amber color
clarity: bright golden hues

The wine presents a stunning, deep amber color with bright golden hues at the rim of the glass, a clear tell of the wine’s age.

intensity: pronounced & honeyed
fruit character: dehydrated

On the nose, this wine reveals a pronounced and expressive aromatic profile, dominated by honeyed and dehydrated fruit notes. Expect to find notes of summer pears, fig jam, ripe pineapple, and linden honey. The aromatic complexity is further enhanced by subtle undertones of straw grass and beeswax, creating an aromatic profile that entices the senses and speaks to the careful aging process in acacia barrels.

sweetness: extra sweet | acidity: high | alcohol: medium+ | tannin: low | balance: fine
finish: long | aftertaste: sweet & jammy

On the palate, the wine feels round, expressive, and nuanced, showcasing a beautifully oily and syrupy texture. The balance of sweetness and acidity is almost perfect, allowing the rich and jammy flavors to shine through while delivering crispness that keeps the wine lively on the tongue. The aftertaste is lasting and jammy-sweet, leaving an extremely appealing impression that invites for yet another sip.

maturity: in its prime | drink now in the next 3 to 5 years
verdict: great | a must try wine | a wine that has all the traits to become legendary

Overall, this is a top-notch dessert wine and one of the standout selections from Romania. It is currently in its prime and has the potential to evolve further with age, developing more depth and complexity while remaining harmonious and well-balanced. It truly embodies the essence of a summer elixir and would be a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

VINARTE | Sirena Dunarii | MagiQ | #
variety: welschriesling
country: Romania
region: Oltenia | Mehedinti
rating: 95.7

This enchanting wine would pair beautifully with a range of desserts, such as fruit tarts, crème brûlée, or even a cheese platter highlighting blue cheese, which would complement the wine’s sweetness and enhances its fruity notes, thus creating an ultimate harmony of flavors and textures. Enjoy!

This wine reflects the culmination of 20 years of winemaking expertise from Domaine Vinarte. Produced in a limited edition of only 4622 bottles, MagiQ emphasizes its exclusivity and artisanal quality – a wine that was also highly regarded by international critics, which comes at no surprise, as this is a truly magical wine.

© 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. Cheers!