Romania
For more information on Romanian Rugby: http://frr.ro
For full details follow : http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/
What to Eat and Drink Whilst Watching the Oaks.
Food: Romania is a melting pot combining dishes from the Austro Hungarian Empire, spices from Turkey and also the influence of the Black Sea with fish and seafood. But still regional food differences remains still today with Transylvania (yes it really exists and has its own version of Goulash!) and Moldova have very different foods. Thanks to the country’s history, today the food is largely naturally organic, free range and unfussy.
Pork is the main meat of most regions in Romania, and turns up in a variety of guises. Especially smoked bacon – that sounds like an ideal ingredient for match day food – Bacon Doorstops anyone? Mici are a type of small sausage, usually beef and pork flavoured with garlic & hot paprika. I am not sure that Sarmole will gain many followers (cabbage leaves stuffed with meat & rice), but Cartofi Copti sound perfect – basically roasted potatoes, cut repeatedly before cooking (like hasselback potatoes) and each slit filled with bacon and butter – sounds heavenly match day comfort food.
A little known fact – HRH Prince Charles has set up a Foundation in Romania to help support rural communities. http://www.princes-foundation.org
Drink:
Beer: The main brand of Romanian beer is Ursus who also make a Black more stout like version. Look out also for Ciuc and Timisoreana. Another popular beer is Bergenbier. Look at https://www.albinuta.co.uk
Wine: Romania has a long history of winemaking and today is the source of some good value wines. There has been a lot of investment from foreign wine regions, ranging from Bordeaux to Italy and even from the UK. Many of the classic international grape varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Merlot dominate, but Romania is also seeing a revival of its own indigenous grape varieties. Feteasca Neagra is flying the flag for Romanian Reds and has been likened by some wine journalists trying to “place” it in the flavour spectrum as similar in style and body to Sangiovese (the main grape variety of Chianti). Its equivalents in the white corner are Feteasca Alba and Feteasca Regala – two whites with an attractive aromatic nose – and the latter can be quite complex.
Made by the charming Baron Jacob Kripp in Transylvania, the Price Stirbey Tamaioasa Romannesca Sec is a delightful wine with more than a hint of Muscat about it. Off dry with lovely apricot hints. http://www.thewinesociety.com
A complete bargain is Waitrose’s own Label Romanian Pinot Noir at under a tenner. It is uncomplicated but has lovely raspberry like notes and is very quaffable. http://www.waitrose.com
If you are looking for simple easy crowd pleasers, then check out the Paris Match Street range from Romania. Simple varietal expression which is great value for a party – available in Pinot Noir, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Rosé (from Pinot Noir) and Sauvignon Blanc. http://www.laithwaites.co.uk
Soli Pinot Noir Edoardo Miroglio is an attractive red full of red fruits but underpinned by a nice touch of oak – made by Italian winemaker who invested in the region in 1999. Stylish wine for this price http://www.thewinesociety.com
National Drink: There is a local spirit called Tuica or Painca dependent on which fruit it is made from and how it is fermented. Perhaps best stick to the Pinot Noir!
For more information about Romanian Wine – visit – http://www.romanian-winegrowers.com