The magic of the number 7 now permeates the culture of Noble Wine in Romania: seven musical notes… in the clinking of glasses, seven primary colors… among which the emphasis is on the shades painstakingly cultivated in the vineyards—white, rosé, and red—seven wonders of the oenological universe… but, in fact, a rich multiple of seven native grape varieties celebrated in the wineries!
The list and metaphorical wordplay could go on, but beyond the “poetry” of the vineyard, it should be noted that… the seventh edition of the Romanian Wine Knights’ Festival (FCVR), held November 2–3, 2026, in Dealu Mare (near Chițorani) and Ploiești, coincided with the conclusion of thepilot edition of the Wine Tournament featuring wines made from native grape varieties—an original project of the Romanian Consulate of the OEVE (and the first step toward a themed European Salon, which Vice Consul Marius Farmazon is proposing to the Senate).
Conceived as an idea in 2025 at the Consular Forum, the Tournament began to take on a concrete, rather than merely abstract, form in 2026, when the first three regional stages were organized — Dobrogea, Muntenia, and Banat-Crișana-Maramureș (with a nationwide expansion scheduled for 2027). Credit is due to many distinguished members who got involved in the project—especially Iudex Ion Bălan (who drafted the first version of the rules), Consiliarius Robert Băicoianu, Iudex Octavian Andronic, Dame Mirela Heizer, Iudex Dorin Popa, and Eques Sergiu Nedelea (chair of the Oenological Commission)—proving that teamwork can mean more than just continuous professional wine tasting (which is necessary, but not… sufficient!). But, above all, credit goes to the participating winemakers who invested their trust in the competition, thereby giving it value, for which we extend our sincere thanks!
Finally, after the reading of the Proclamation dedicated to Harvest Day on October 2 in Chițorani—against the backdrop of a breathtaking panorama of hills laden with fruit and lined with immaculate rows of grapevines— the results of the final judging, which took place that same morning, were announced in the presence of the 150 FCVR participants:
White Wines
Gold Medal: SCDVV Pietroasa – Sweet Romanian Tămâioasă 2020, 93 points
Joint Silver Medal: Tarr Winery – Fetească Regală Sec 2025, 91 points
Joint Silver Medal: Domeniile Mitroi – Tămâioasă Românească Semi-Sweet 2025 with 91 points
Rosé Wines
Gold Medal: SCDVV Pietroasa – 2025 Dry Bohotin Busuioacă with 91 points
Joint silver medal: Stenota Winery – Fetească Neagră Dry 2025 with 89.67 points
Joint Silver Medal: The Vlădoi Family—Băbească Neagră + Fetească Neagră sec 2025, with 89.67 points
Red Wines
Gold Medal: Viile Metamorfosis – 2021 Dry Negru de Drăgășani, 92.67 points
Joint Silver Medal: Balla Geza Winery – 2022 Fetească Neagră Dry, 91.67 points
Joint Silver Medal: Lacerta Winery – 2020 Fetească Neagră Dry, 91.67 points
As was to be expected, the Terra Valachorum wine was selected for the year 2026. The Oenological Commission selected the 2023 Negru de Drăgășani, produced by Vitis Metamorfosis, as the winner in the red wine category of the indigenous grape variety wine competition organized by the Consulate in Muntenia. The wine was made from grapes harvested by hand from a 1.69-hectare plot isolated from the rest of the vineyard, allowing the winemakers to devote extra attention to this exceptional grape variety, which contributed to the production of a wine of exceptional quality, aged in barrels for 18 months. A special edition reserved for OEVE members and limited to 420 numbered bottles was released under the private label “Terra Valachorum by OEVE Romania.”
…As lovers of fine wines, we all owe it to ourselves to hold such a tournament! Equally, now that this first step has already been taken, we are also committed to making it a permanent event, and then, on the occasion of next year’s anniversary marking two decades since the establishment of our Consulate, to give it a European dimension as well!
AMICITIA PER VINUM!
IN HONOREM DEI ET IN HONOREM VINI!
Dan Silviu Boerescu, Eques
Image, Communications, and PR Advisor
