Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/735312
DEPARTMENT HEADER october 2016 / the tasting panel / 69 Fennel pollen–marinated sea bass, parsley and fennel salad is paired with the Jidvei 2015 Premiat Sauvignon Blanc and the Jidvei 2015 Nec Plus Ultra Sauvignon Blanc Demi-Sec. Romance by Karen Moneymaker / photos by Cal Bingham t seems cheeky to introduce a wine region as "up and coming" when it is, in fact, one of the oldest in Europe. But, with an industry that is nearly 4,000 years old, Romania is just now hitting its stride in our domestic market, with wines that shine with a brightness and vitality that belie their ancient roots. Indeed, at a recent tasting at Avec Nous in Beverly Hills, CA, our group of Los Angeles somms and wine buyers dived into a selection of wines from famed Romanian producer Jidvei Winery, where we were introduced to a lineup of whites, several of which were being shown in the U.S. for the very first time. Ioana Benga, Export Director for Jidvei Winery, set the scene for us, explaining that Romania, like much of Eastern Europe after World War II, fell under the domin- ion of communism, where the idea of "equality" bolstered quantity over quality in wine production, and wine mak- ing was handled by large, government-run cooperatives. Conrad Reddick, Director of Restaurants at Avec Nous, discusses the Jidvei wines with Marin Preske of Terroni in Los Angeles and Maria Garcia of République in Los Angeles. Jidvei 2014 Maria Pinot Gris was paired with roasted chicken breast, corn, pancetta, green garbanzo and piquillo vinaigrette.