End-of-Year Tasting A.S.R. – 2nd Edition 2025

On Monday, December 8th, 2025, the Private Wine Tasting Club of the Romanian Sommelier Association – Cluj-Napoca branch – wrapped up the year with its third autumn–winter edition, an event in which the wines were truly the main characters. The gathering was organized by regional manager and sommelier Alin Mureșan, and the atmosphere – as relaxed as it was professional – brought together over 20 club members: HoReCa specialists, wine producers, academics, bloggers, and dedicated enthusiasts.

The Hubertus New Age restaurant provided the ideal setting for tasting over 20 new labels, accompanied by a generous pairing of premium cured meats and cheeses, game delicacies, and a culinary surprise: Black Angus beef mici offered by Prime Beef Transilvania – a delicious contrast to the evening’s sparkling wines.

Participants evaluated each wine on a scale from 1 to 5, taking into account both the organoleptic expression and commercial positioning. The conclusions of the tasting highlighted clear directions in the evolution of Romanian and Moldovan wine.

Jidvei – Spirit: tradition and modernity
The Spirit range marks an elegant reinterpretation of Transylvanian terroir: labels inspired by local embroidery and three oak-aged wines – Fetească Regală, Chardonnay, and Rosé – all balanced, expressive, and with a clear identity. A project limited to 10,000 bottles, positioned in the accessible premium area, well worth attention. Bonus points for initiative and quality.

Murfatlar – a true comeback
The 3 Hectare range impresses with precision and simplicity, while M1 – Charme de la Mer Rosé, with individual barrel aging by variety, offers a modern and bold example of premium rosé. Clear image, mature positioning, and a style that brings the brand back “into the game.” A well-deserved plus.

Vinea Apoldia Maior – consistent progress
The wines of the Faculty of Agriculture in Cluj are proof of a successful educational project: Academicum Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat Ottonel show seriousness, technical skill, and potential. Plus for evolution.

Cotnari – Concept: a new path
With dry, barrel-aged, structured wines, the Concept range changes expectations:
• Barrel-Aged Frâncușă – surprising, modern, elegant
• Barrel-Aged Fetească Neagră – balanced, mature
At 28–35 lei per bottle, the quality–price ratio is exceptional. Two pluses.

Pripa – Moldovan elegance
Fetească Neagră Pripa is a pleasant surprise: 12 months in Moldovan oak, balance, soft tannins, highlighted fruit. An unquestionable plus.

Apriori – harmony and style
The Maestro range shows modern vision and coherence:
• Prosecco DOC – fresh and precise
• Barrel-fermented Chardonnay – elegant, without excess
• Secret Blend (CFM) – rounded and harmonious
Plus for stylistic clarity.

Davidescu Estates – expressiveness and character
The Select range – white (Viorica & Muscat Ottonel) and red (Fetească Neagră & Saperavi) – impressed through unity and aromatic identity. Davidescu’s red wines received high scores in the tasting, confirming the winery’s positioning. Solid plus.

Gârboiu Winery – modern repositioning
With a fresh visual and technical approach to the Quartz and Epicentrum ranges, Gârboiu demonstrates adaptability and courage: memorable rosé sparkling wine, fresh white based on Șarbă, Plăvaie, and a friendly red in a classic blend. Plus for accessibility and modernization.

Conclusion
The final A.S.R. tasting of 2025 closes the year with clear directions: increased creativity, stronger identity, smart repositioning, and ever more refined wines, both in Romania and the Republic of Moldova.

Many thanks to our host – Hubertus New Age, our culinary partners – Prime Beef Transilvania, and all participating wineries.

And for 2026, starting in spring, we look forward with great interest to even more wineries, more labels, and more surprises.

We’ll meet again with glasses full and hearts open.

Article by Adrian Vultur and Voiță Ionuț.