Epiphanie Fetească Neagră 2019 | Red wine

• Country of origin: Romania
• Producer: VSN
• Type / style: Red / Dry
• Grape variety: Fetească Neagră 100%
• Classification: IG Colinele Dobrogei
• Alcohol by volume: 14.90%
• Residual sugar: 1.90 g/l
• Acidity: 5.08 g/l
• Body: full
• Bottle volume: 750 ml
• Closure: natural cork
• Readiness for drinking: now~2042
• Price range: 5,000~9,999 Yen
• JAN Code: 5942134006624

What is Fetească Neagră?

Alongside international grapes such as Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Romania is home to many indigenous varieties that have been grown here for centuries. The one with the greatest potential is widely considered to be Fetească Neagră, the flagship red grape of Romania. Grown everywhere from cool to warm regions, it is remarkably versatile, producing everything from fresh, easy-drinking rosés to concentrated, full-bodied reds built for long aging.

Fetească Neagră in Dobrogea

Dobrogea is not the grape's original home, yet Fetească Neagră has found ideal conditions here. Low rainfall and long hours of sunshine let the grapes ripen fully and build up plenty of sugar and aroma. According to the official specification of the IG Colinele Dobrogei, issued by Romania's National Office for Vine and Wine Products (ONVPV), Fetească Neagră from this region stands out for its full body, its gentle palate and a dried plum note that is more pronounced than in other wine regions.

Niculițel, a wine area steeped in history

Sarica Niculițel, in northern Dobrogea, has a very long winemaking tradition. Vessels and tools used to make wine in Greek and Roman times have been found around Niculițel, along with a statuette of Bacchus dated to the 4th to 3rd century BC. A map from 1881 already shows 281 hectares of vineyards in Niculițel. Today, the VSN winery (Via Viticola Sarica Niculițel) carries this tradition forward.

What does Épiphanie mean?

The name comes from the Greek epiphaneia, meaning "appearance" or "manifestation". Epiphany is a Christian feast celebrated on January 6th. In the Orthodox Church, including in Romania, it celebrates the baptism of Jesus, while in the Western tradition it marks the visit of the Three Wise Men to the infant Jesus. In France, the day is celebrated with a galette des rois: whoever finds the small porcelain figurine (the fève) hidden inside becomes king for the day.

In everyday language, an epiphany is a moment of sudden insight, when the true nature of something becomes clear. For anyone who has never tasted a long-aged Fetească Neagră, this wine may be exactly that moment.

Awards

• Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2024 ⇨ Gold medal
• Mundus Vini 2024 ⇨ Gold medal
• Sélections Mondiales des Vins Canada 2024 ⇨ Best wine
• Chicago Sommelier Choice Awards 2024 ⇨ Gold medal

Why choose this wine?

Epiphanie is a red built for the long haul. After fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, it spends 12 months in small new oak barrels, then rests for at least another 12 months in bottle before release. Concentrated blackberry and blackcurrant fruit meets spice, chocolate and coffee, while firm tannins and fresh acidity give it the structure to age for many years. Gold medals at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and Mundus Vini in 2024 confirm its class. Delicious now, it will gain even more finesse over the next 5 to 7 years. Open it for a special occasion with a good steak or grilled lamb.

Tasting notes

Appearance

Medium-intensity ruby with purple hints.

Nose

Pronounced and dominated by black fruit: ripe blackberry, blackcurrant, sour cherry and prune, with spice (black pepper, nutmeg, clove), chocolate, coffee, licorice and vanilla, plus a subtle hint of violet.

Palate

Round yet bold, with mouth-watering acidity and firm tannins. Dry and high in alcohol, with a solid structure and full body. Very ripe, almost jammy black fruit gives it richness, and the finish is long. Still evolving in bottle, it will gain finesse with another 5 to 7 years of aging.

Food pairing

Red meat steaks, roast lamb, jingisukan (Hokkaido-style grilled lamb) and pasta with meat sauce.

Service

• Service temperature: 16~18°C
• Decanting: recommended, about 1 hour before serving, to soften the tannins and open up the aromas

Vineyard

• Region: Dobrogea
• Viticultural region: Colinele Dobrogei
• Wine-growing area (podgorie): Sarica Niculițel
• Viticultural center: Niculițel (Tulcea County)
• Vineyard: estate-owned
• Soil: rich in calcium carbonate
• Altitude: 0~50 m
• Average annual temperature: 10.8°C
• Average annual rainfall: 350~450 mm
• Yield: 3.0 t/ha
• Vineyard manager: Sorin IGNAT
• Vineyard consultant: Paul FULEA

Winemaking

• Ingredients: 100% grapes
• Producer: Via Viticola Sarica Niculițel (VSN)
• Production place: estate winery, Niculițel
• Fermentation vessel: temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks
• Fermentation period: [to be updated]
• Fermentation temperature: [to be updated]
• Malolactic conversion: [to be updated]
• Acidity adjustment: [to be updated]
• Chaptalization: [to be updated]
• Maturing: small new oak barrels, 12 months
• Bottle aging: at least 12 months before release
• Bottling place: estate winery, Niculițel
• Bottling date: listed on the package

Size & Weight

• Single item dimensions (mm): 305 x 87
• Single item weight (g): 1,650
• Case size: 6 bottles
• Case dimensions (mm): 175 x 305 x 265
• Case weight (g): 10,000

Import information

• Importer: Daniel's Wine Club
• Import method: Container import
• Import route: VSN ⇨ Daniel's Wine Club
• Quality control method during transportation: Use temperature-controlled containers

Storage information

• Seller: Daniel's Wine Club
• Storage place: Daniel's Wine Club
• Storage temperature: 16~18°C

Gifts, wrapping, noshi

You can find gift boxes, along with packaging and noshi (traditional Japanese ceremonial wrapping) options, on the "Accessories and Gifts" page.

If you’d like to add a personal touch to your gift, we can also include a card or message in the package. Please feel free to contact us if you need assistance. We will do our best to ensure your gift arrives in perfect condition.