Purcari Feteasca Neagra

Purcari Feteasca Neagra is a full-bodied Moldovan red wine made from 100% indigenous Feteasca Neagra grapes, bottled at approximately 13% ABV in a standard 750ml format. This expression earned a Double Gold Medal at Gilbert & Gaillard 2024, along with Gold Medals at both the Mundus Vini Spring Tasting 2024 and the Berliner Wine Trophy 2024—a remarkable sweep that has drawn international attention to Moldova's most celebrated native dark-skinned variety.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~13%  |  Origin: Stefan Voda, South-East Moldova  |  Varietal: 100% Feteasca Neagra  |  Producer: Chateau Purcari (est. 1827)

Production & Heritage

Chateau Purcari, founded in 1827 in the Stefan Voda region of southeastern Moldova, is one of the oldest and most decorated wine estates in Eastern Europe. The Feteasca Neagra—translating to "Black Maiden Grape"—is an indigenous Moldovan variety that thrives in the region's continental climate and loess-rich soils. This wine is aged exclusively in French oak barriques for a period of six to eighteen months, followed by an additional six months of bottle maturation before release, a regimen that integrates structure and complexity without overwhelming the grape's distinctive fruit character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with perfumed ripe cherry and juicy red fruits before moving into deeper layers of blackberry, blueberry, and blackcurrant. A discreet spice note and hints of vanilla from the French oak barriques emerge as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: On entry, vibrant blackcurrant and red fruit flood the palate in a ripe, generous style. The mid-palate reveals plum and dried cherry alongside well-integrated tannins that provide a robust but elegant framework. Acidity is balanced and lively, giving the wine a juicy core that keeps the fruit from feeling heavy.

Finish: The finish is medium-long with a harmonious interplay of dark fruit, fine-grained tannin, and a subtle spice trail. A lingering note of blackberry and dried cherry stays well after the last sip.

How to Drink Feteasca Neagra

Serve at 16–18°C (61–64°F), ideally decanted for 20–30 minutes to let the French oak and fruit layers fully integrate. This wine is best appreciated neat in a large-bowled red wine glass. A Red Wine Sangria works well here, as the concentrated dark fruit amplifies the punch bowl's berry backbone. In a Mulled Wine, the existing spice and dried cherry notes marry naturally with warm-spice additions like cinnamon and clove. For a lighter serve, a simple Red Wine Spritzer with sparkling water and a twist of orange preserves the juicy blackcurrant character while lowering intensity.

Best For

• Introducing a wine enthusiast to indigenous Eastern European grape varieties
• Pairing with a hearty autumn or winter dinner featuring roasted meats
• Gifting someone who appreciates award-winning wines from emerging regions
• Exploring full-bodied reds beyond mainstream Cabernet and Merlot

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Feteasca Neagra taste like? Purcari's Feteasca Neagra delivers a rich, fruit-forward profile dominated by blackcurrant, ripe cherry, plum, and blackberry, supported by well-structured tannins and a touch of vanilla from French oak aging.

How does Feteasca Neagra compare to Merlot? Feteasca Neagra is frequently compared to Merlot and Cabernet Franc due to its full body, robust tannins, and elegant texture. However, it tends to show more pronounced dark berry aromatics and a distinctly perfumed, spice-driven character that sets it apart from most New World Merlots.

Is Feteasca Neagra good for sipping neat? Yes—its complex structure, balanced acidity, and layered fruit make it an excellent wine for sipping on its own, especially after a brief decanting to let the oak-aged complexity fully open up.

Where is Feteasca Neagra made? This wine is produced by Chateau Purcari, located in the Stefan Voda region of southeastern Moldova. The estate sits near the confluence of Moldovan and Ukrainian terroirs, benefiting from a continental climate moderated by proximity to the Black Sea.

What foods pair well with Feteasca Neagra? Grilled or roasted lamb pairs naturally with the wine's robust tannins and dark fruit. Aged hard cheeses like Pecorino or Gouda complement its spice notes. Slow-cooked beef stew matches its full body, while dark chocolate desserts echo the blackberry and dried cherry tones. Charcuterie boards with cured meats and dried fruits also work well.

What sizes does Feteasca Neagra come in? Purcari Feteasca Neagra is most commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Feteasca Neagra worth the price? Purcari Feteasca Neagra positions as a premium expression within the Eastern European wine category, yet it remains competitively priced against comparable full-bodied reds from Western Europe. Its triple-medal 2024 award haul and French oak maturation program deliver quality that punches above its price tier.

Why Feteasca Neagra?

Few wines from Moldova have broken through internationally the way Purcari's Feteasca Neagra has. Winning a Double Gold at Gilbert & Gaillard alongside Golds at Mundus Vini and Berliner Wine Trophy—all in 2024—puts this bottle in rare company for indigenous-varietal wines from the region. The exclusive use of French oak barriques, combined with extended bottle maturation, gives it a polish and structure that rewards patient drinking. For anyone looking to explore a serious, full-bodied red made from a grape variety most of the wine world has yet to discover, this is a benchmark expression from the estate that helped put Moldovan wine on the map nearly two centuries ago.