🥃 Vinars Murfatlar

Vinars Murfatlar is an EU-protected geographical indication for a Romanian wine spirit made from DOC Murfatlar wines in Constanța County, near the Black Sea. It is aged in oak barrels of 500–550 l for at least a year, traditionally receives a local natural carob extract, and is sold from 37.5% vol.

The grapes for the wine grow only in the Murfatlar zone: the towns of Murfatlar, Ovidiu, Medgidia and Cernavodă and the surrounding communes. This area has the lowest rainfall in Romania, 2,220–2,300 hours of sunshine and a sum of positive temperatures of about 4,200 °C a year, with soils on shell limestone. Permitted varieties include white ones such as Chardonnay, Muscat Ottonel and Fetească Regală, and red ones: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Fetească Neagră and Syrah.

DOC Murfatlar wine is distilled to no more than 86% vol., and this stage may take place outside the zone. Ageing, preparation and finishing of the vinars happen only in the Murfatlar zone. The spirit matures for 1, 3, 5 or 7 years; the file links its faster maturation to the sea air and the warmth of the region. The carob extract is prepared locally in the same spirit and makes the taste velvety and bittersweet.

The first plantations of grafted Western European varieties in Murfatlar were established in 1907. The technical file was sent to the EU on 23 August 2018.

Why it matters for you. The label must show the category V, VS, VSOP or XO and stars (1, 3, 5 or 7) matching the age of the spirit. WHO reminds us: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.