THE FULL GLASS CLUB 🍾
Welcome to the Club
The Club is open to anyone: no invitation, no account, no money needed. This is my tasting kit, with things you won’t find on the blog, made to have fun and drink a little smarter. Use them, print them, pass them on.
Your password for the Club Corner
🔑 winetertainer
In the Club Corner I write the stories I usually only tell at the table. Open them with the password above and keep it to yourself, it’s our little secret. The Corner articles are in Romanian, like the rest of the blog; your browser can translate them in one click.
The aroma wheel
Next time you put your nose in the glass and can’t find the words, start in the middle: first the big family (fruit, flowers, spice), then move out to the exact aroma. There are no wrong answers, only better-trained noses.
The memory wheel
The same wheel, translated into real life. Nobody says “notes of blackcurrant” at dinner with friends, but everyone knows what grandma’s pantry smells like. Play with it over the next bottle: everyone names a memory, and whoever nails the aroma wins the next glass.
The map of Romanian grapes
Romania’s own grapes, in short: where they grow, what you find in the glass and what to serve alongside.
| Grape | Style | Where it grows | In the glass | Goes with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fetească Albă | white | Cotnari, Iași, Târnave, Dealu Mare | white flowers, green apple, a hint of citrus | fish, fresh cheeses, salads |
| Fetească Regală | white | Târnave, Moldova, Muntenia | lively, citrus, meadow flowers | aperitif, chicken, vegetables |
| Tămâioasă Românească | aromatic white | Pietroasa, Cotnari, Drăgășani | incense, rose, apricot, honey | dry: Asian food; sweet: desserts |
| Grasă de Cotnari | sweet white | Cotnari | quince, honey, walnut | blue cheese, foie gras, desserts |
| Busuioacă de Bohotin | aromatic rosé | Bohotin, Huși | basil, rose, red fruit | fruit desserts, aperitif |
| Crâmpoșie Selecționată | white | Drăgășani | citrus, herbs, very fresh | fish, seafood |
| Galbenă de Odobești | white | Odobești | light, crisp, apple | aperitif, salads |
| Fetească Neagră | red | Dealu Mare, Moldova, Drăgășani | dried plums, sour cherry, spice | red meat, stews, grilled sausages |
| Băbească Neagră | light red | Nicorești, Moldova | red fruit, supple, fresh | pork, barbecue, pizza |
| Negru de Drăgășani | red | Drăgășani | black fruit, pepper, spice | game, roasts |
| Novac | red | Drăgășani | red fruit, spice, velvety | lamb, pasta with meat sauce |
I add things here from time to time, so drop by again. Cheers and thank you! — Viorel