Murfatlar Lacrima Lui Ovidiu White

Murfatlar Lacrima Lui Ovidiu White is a 750ml, 15% ABV Romanian fortified white wine aged five years in oak barrels. Widely recognized as Romania's only fortified wine, this DOC-designated blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Muscat Ottonel earned a Gold Medal at the 2012 Berlin Wine Trophy.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15%  |  Origin: Murfatlar, Romania (DOC)  |  Aged 5 Years in Oak  |  Producer: Murfatlar Winery

Production & Heritage

Murfatlar winery operates in the Murfatlar wine region of southeastern Romania, a zone prized for its limestone-rich soils and proximity to the Black Sea — conditions that favor late-ripening aromatic varieties. Lacrima Lui Ovidiu White — named in tribute to the Roman poet Ovid, who was exiled to this region — is produced by blending Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Muscat Ottonel in proportions that shift with each harvest year. After vinification, the wine is fortified and then aged for five years in oak barrels, developing layers of caramelized complexity rare among Romanian wines.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with white clover honey and dried apricot, moving into persimmon, yuzu, and a gentle saffron-like warmth. Oak aging contributes a subtle cedar undertone beneath the honeyed top notes.

Taste: A ripe, medium-bodied entry introduces nectarine and fig, supported by lively acidity that prevents the sweetness from overwhelming the palate. The mid-palate develops spicy cinnamon and dried mango notes, layered with caramelized wood and a woody, almost toasted character from half a decade in barrel.

Finish: The finish is exotic and lingering, carrying forward the interplay of honey, cedar, and stone fruit. Delicate oak tannins provide structure while the sweetness fades gradually into warm spice.

How to Drink Lacrima Lui Ovidiu White

This fortified wine is best served lightly chilled, between 10–12°C (50–54°F), in a tulip-shaped glass that concentrates the aromatic bouquet. Sipping it neat after dinner allows the full spectrum of oak-influenced flavors to unfold. For cocktail exploration: try it in a White Port & Tonic-style serve, where the honey and apricot notes pair naturally with tonic water and a sprig of fresh thyme; in a Spritz, topping it with sparkling water and an orange peel to amplify the citrus character; or in a Cobbler-style cocktail shaken with seasonal fruit and crushed ice, where the wine's natural sweetness replaces added sugar.

Best For

• Introducing wine enthusiasts to Romanian fortified wines — a genuine rarity in the category
• Serving as a dessert wine at dinner parties alongside fruit-based courses
• Gifting someone who appreciates aged, oak-matured wines with history
• Building a collection of unusual European fortified wines beyond Sherry and Port

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lacrima Lui Ovidiu White taste like? It delivers a sweet, medium-bodied profile led by honey, dried apricot, and nectarine, layered with cinnamon, cedar, and caramelized oak from its five-year barrel aging. A lively acidity keeps the sweetness balanced and prevents it from becoming cloying.

How does Lacrima Lui Ovidiu White compare to a White Port? Both are fortified white wines with honeyed, nutty qualities and similar ABVs in the 15–20% range, but Lacrima Lui Ovidiu is made from a Chardonnay-Pinot Gris-Muscat Ottonel blend rather than traditional Portuguese varietals. Its five-year oak aging and Romanian terroir give it a more pronounced dried-fruit and spice character compared to most entry-level white Ports.

Is Lacrima Lui Ovidiu White good for sipping neat? Yes — its moderate 15% ABV, complex oak-aged character, and balanced sweetness make it an excellent standalone sip, especially served slightly chilled after a meal.

Where is Lacrima Lui Ovidiu White made? It is produced by Murfatlar winery in the Murfatlar DOC region of southeastern Romania, near the Black Sea coast. This area has a long viticultural history, with conditions ideal for aromatic and late-harvest grape varieties.

What foods pair well with Lacrima Lui Ovidiu White? Aged hard cheeses like Comté or Manchego complement the wine's nutty oak notes. Fruit tarts and baked pastries with apricot or peach mirror its dried-fruit character. Foie gras or duck liver pâté balances the sweetness with savory richness. Baklava or honey-drizzled desserts echo its dominant honey tone. Mild blue cheese creates a classic sweet-and-savory contrast.

What sizes does Lacrima Lui Ovidiu White come in? The standard bottling is 750ml, which is the most widely available format.

Is Lacrima Lui Ovidiu White worth the price? Lacrima Lui Ovidiu White positions as a mid-range fortified wine that punches above its price tier, especially considering the five-year oak aging and its Gold Medal from the Berlin Wine Trophy. For a fortified wine with genuine age and complexity, it represents strong value compared to similarly aged Sherries or Ports.

Why Lacrima Lui Ovidiu White?

This is, by all accounts, Romania's sole fortified wine — a distinction that makes it both a curiosity and a serious conversation piece. Five years of oak maturation is a commitment that few fortified wines at this price point undergo, and the resulting complexity justifies the patience. International recognition — a Gold Medal at the 2012 Berlin Wine Trophy and a Silver at the 2012 San Francisco International Wine Competition — confirms that the quality extends beyond novelty. For anyone seeking to explore fortified wines beyond the Iberian standards, Lacrima Lui Ovidiu White is a genuinely singular bottle with verified substance behind it.