The Călușari are the dancers of an age-old Romanian ritual, the căluș, which UNESCO has listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. A group of men leaping, stamping and spinning, with sticks and bells. A name full of energy for a wine, and it suits it. This is a white with character, made by Cramele Recaș in the west of the country.

Character

The grapes come from two of the estate's oldest vineyards, Dealul Țiganului and La Stejari, and are picked by hand. Each variety is made into wine separately and only blended afterwards. Chardonnay brings ripe peach and backbone, Fetească Regală — a grape you'll find almost only in Romania — the floral nose. Together they make a rich, full white that has more to say than its price suggests.

Tasting notes

• Nose — floral, the signature of Fetească Regală.
• Palate — ripe peach and the structure of Chardonnay, rich and complex.

How I serve it

Well chilled, around 10 °C. The winery itself suggests a Thai massaman curry or tagliatelle carbonara, and I couldn't agree more.

• With a chicken massaman curry — the wine's richness takes on the coconut and spices.
• With tagliatelle carbonara or a creamy pasta with bacon and leeks.
• With a chicken and mushroom pie.
• With pan-fried salmon and a butter sauce.

What to do with it

Know someone who always orders Chardonnay? Give them this. They'll recognise the grape straight away and discover a second one they've never heard of. Romania is a wine country few people know, and that's exactly why this bottle gets a conversation going.

Origin & facts

• Grape — Chardonnay and Fetească Regală
• Origin — Dealul Țiganului and La Stejari vineyards in Recaș, western Romania
• Alcohol — 13% vol
• Volume — 75 cl
• Winemaking — hand-picked from the estate's oldest vineyards; each grape is made separately, then blended
• Vegan — yes, according to the label
• Producer — Cramele Recaș, Recaș (Romania) — estate bottled
• Allergens — contains sulphites