This is a Romanian white wine produced by Cramele Recaș in Transylvania, a region with a winemaking history that stretches back centuries. The vineyards in this area are thought to be among the oldest in the world, with Roman origins and documented references to the Recaș vineyard land dating as far back as 1447. For this wine, the grapes are harvested at night to preserve their delicate character.
This particular 2023 vintage, part of the M&S own-label expressions range, was awarded the People’s Choice Winner in the White Own Label category. It forms part of my awards25 series.
For a change, the label’s description is genuinely reflected in the glass. The wine opens with a vivid aroma of rose petals, honeysuckle and white peach, which is both inviting and complements what follows. On tasting, there’s a lovely burst of citrus and pineapple, carried by the highly aromatic profile and a long, mellow finish. It has a very slight sweetness, not overpowering, and sits at a modest 11% alcohol, making it light and easy to enjoy. I shared this wine with two other people and it was a hit all round.
At just £7.50 from M&S and Ocado, it offers remarkable value for something this enjoyable.
