MAESTRO | Cuvée Blanc | Brut Nature | #
glera | chardonnay | sauvignon blanc

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Maestro Wines is renowned for its commitment to crafting exciting wines, a winery that embodies the passion for meticulous craftsmanship. With its vineyards planted in Moldova’s Valul lui Traian and Stefan Voda regions, the winery takes pride in its organic practices and deep-rooted philosophy that respects the local traditions but with a modern twist.

Today we are going to review a quite refreshing sparkling wine from the Valul lui Traian region, situated in the south of Moldova – Cuvée Blanc Brut Nature by Maestro Wines. This is a modern-styled sparkling wine – a blend of 60% glera, 20% chardonnay and 20% sauvignon blanc, produced by the non-traditional tank method, also called méthode charmat – the same way as the famous Prosecco wines are made in Italy.

The main difference between the tank method and the traditional method is the removal of the individual bottle for second fermentation, instead, the wines are fermented into large steel tanks. Sparkling wines produced by the tank method have much more freshness with less pronounced yeasty flavors (today’s wine has been aged only for 9 months on extra-fine lees). While this method is more affordable compared to the traditional method, it is still used for fine sparkling winemaking.

Valul lui Traian IGP boasts a warm continental climate that is ideal for viticulture. The region’s geography forms a harmonious balance between warm days and cool nights, which is essential for achieving optimal ripeness and which encourages the development of rich flavors in the grapes. The soils are predominantly clay, limestone, and sandy loam, ensuring good drainage and providing the necessary nutrients to the vine roots while also contributing a slight minerality to the wines. Compared to similar wines from other regions, those from Valul lui Traian showcase a robust aromatic intensity and a quite firm character.

color: straw-yellow color
clarity: pale yellow hues

In the glass, the wine presents an appealing clear, straw-yellow color with delicate, pale yellow reflections at the rim.

intensity: rich & herbal
fruit character: underripe

The olfactory profile is characterized by a rich herbal foreground, intertwined with an underripe fruit character. Aromas reminiscent of vibrant citrus – like lemon peel, pomelo, and lemon juice – are beautifully complemented by nuanced green fruit notes of gooseberry and tart green apple. Lingering in the background, a distinct herbal bouquet unfolds even more, with notes of hay, straw grass, with subtle hints of nettle and currant leaf. These aromatics are gently complemented by elusive floral touches, creating a refreshing and invigorating tapestry.

sweetness: bone dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: low | balance: fair
finish: medium- | aftertaste: zesty

On the palate, this wine reveals a zesty and invigorating character. It feels bone dry, a true brut nature, with exuberant acidity that dances across the tongue, lending the wine a fresh and refreshingly crisp mouthfeel. There’s a subtle touch of alcoholic warmth, contributing to the wine’s body. The texture is lively, though it carries a slightly angular feel, with a distinct touch of phenolic bitterness that emerges on the mid-palate and stays towards the finish, adding a layer of assertive character that contributes to the wine’s overall zesty profile. The finish is clean and slightly sharp, leaving a vibrant sensation.

maturity: developing | drink now or within a year
verdict: nice | enjoyable wine | a well made wine that lacks elegance and finesse

Overall, this is a fresh and vibrant sparkling wine with a zesty and refreshingly crisp palate. While it currently presents a somewhat angular profile and may lack the finesse and complexity of a traditional method sparkling. Over than that, this is an honest and expressive wine that is still in its youthful development phase – a wine designed to be enjoyed in its youth, maximizing its freshness. All in all, this is a wine that delivers straightforward enjoyment, best savored sooner rather than later – a fair and enjoyable wine for those who appreciate a brisk, bone-dry style of a genuine brut nature.

To complement the wine’s zesty character and high acidity, consider pairing it with dishes that can either match the wine’s intensity or offer a contrasting richness or sweetness. Think fresh oysters with a classic mignonette sauce or a vibrant herb-laden ceviche. For a contrasting approach, consider creamy goat cheese on toasted baguette, perhaps with a thin slice of green apple, to balance the wine’s sharpness.

MAESTRO | Cuvée Blanc | Brut Nature | #
variety: glera | chardonnay | sauvignon blanc
country: Moldova
region: Valul lui Traian
rating: 91.0

© 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!