Murfatlar Lacrima Iui Ovidiu

Murfatlar Lacrima lui Ovidiu is Romania's singular fortified wine, bottled at approximately 15% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Named after the exiled Roman poet Ovid — who spent his final years near the Black Sea coast — this expression earned multiple Gold Medals at Mundus Vini Summer Edition 2024 and the Vinarium International Wine Contest 2024, confirming its standing among Europe's notable dessert-style wines.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~15%  |  Origin: Murfatlar, Dobrogea, Romania  |  Aged 5 Years in Oak  |  Producer: Murfatlar Romania

Production & Heritage

Murfatlar is one of Romania's oldest and most recognized wine regions, situated near the Black Sea in Dobrogea, where the warm continental climate and limestone soils produce grapes with exceptional sugar concentration. Lacrima lui Ovidiu is produced according to a traditional recipe inspired by the fortification techniques of Porto, Malaga, Madeira, and Sherry — yet it remains the only fortified wine made in Romania. The white expression blends Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Muscat Ottonel, while the red relies on Pinot Noir, Fetească Neagră, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Both versions mature for approximately five years in Romanian oak barrels, a process that deepens color, builds complexity, and integrates the spirit addition into a seamless whole.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The white opens with dried apricot, persimmon, and white clover honey before revealing layers of marzipan, walnut, and osmanthus flower. The red presents darker aromatics — black currant, blueberry, and smoky cocoa emerge from the glass alongside hints of oak.

Taste: On the white, the entry is fleshy and honeyed, moving through nectarine, fig, dried mango, and sweet ginger at mid-palate, supported by lively acidity that prevents cloying sweetness. Cedar and caramelized oak add structure toward the peak. The red version delivers velvety black fruit with Cabernet Sauvignon tannins and the supple body of Pinot Noir, balanced by a rich, woody sweetness.

Finish: Both expressions carry a long, warming finish shaped by five years of oak maturation. The white lingers with hazelnut and sweet sherry-like oxidative character, while the red fades on smoky cocoa and dark berry.

How to Drink Lacrima lui Ovidiu

Serve slightly chilled — around 12–14°C for the white and 16–18°C for the red — to let the oak-aged complexity unfold without masking the fruit. The white makes a striking stand-in for cream sherry in a Sherry Cobbler, where its apricot and honey notes play well against fresh citrus. Try the red in a Port-style Sangria, substituting it for ruby Port to bring Romanian character to a familiar crowd-pleaser. Either version also works in a Kir Royale riff, topped with sparkling wine to lighten the body and add effervescence.

Best For

• Gifting someone who appreciates European dessert wines and wants to explore beyond Port and Sauternes
• After-dinner sipping alongside a cheese and dried fruit board
• Introducing friends to Romanian winemaking at a tasting night
• Celebrating a special occasion with a historically storied, award-winning wine

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lacrima lui Ovidiu taste like? The white expression leads with dried apricot, honey, and marzipan, underscored by cedar and caramelized oak from five years of barrel aging. The red offers velvety black currant and blueberry with smoky cocoa and balanced tannins.

How does Lacrima lui Ovidiu compare to Grasa de Cotnari? Grasa de Cotnari is a naturally sweet, unfortified Romanian wine, while Lacrima lui Ovidiu is Romania's only fortified wine — aged five years in oak and produced in a style closer to Port or Madeira. Lacrima lui Ovidiu tends to be fuller-bodied with more pronounced oak influence and a higher alcohol level.

Is Lacrima lui Ovidiu good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its balanced sweetness, layered oak character, and moderate 15% ABV make it an ideal after-dinner sipper served slightly chilled, without the need for any accompaniment.

Where is Lacrima lui Ovidiu made? It is produced in the Murfatlar wine region of Dobrogea, Romania, near the Black Sea coast. This area benefits from a warm continental climate and calcareous soils that have supported viticulture for centuries.

What foods pair well with Lacrima lui Ovidiu? The white pairs beautifully with aged Gouda or blue cheese, where its honey and apricot notes contrast the salt. Dried fruit and nut platters mirror its marzipan character. The red complements dark chocolate desserts, cherry-based pastries, and roasted duck with a fruit reduction.

What sizes does Lacrima lui Ovidiu come in? Lacrima lui Ovidiu is most commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Lacrima lui Ovidiu worth the price? It positions as a mid-range fortified wine that over-delivers on complexity relative to its price tier, particularly given its five-year oak aging and multiple international gold medals — competing favorably with entry-level aged Tawny Ports and Madeiras.

Why Lacrima lui Ovidiu?

No other Romanian wine occupies this category — it is the country's sole fortified wine, produced using techniques drawn from the great traditions of Porto, Madeira, and Sherry but expressed through distinctly Romanian grape varieties like Fetească Neagră and Muscat Ottonel. Five years of aging in Romanian oak give it a depth that casual dessert wines simply cannot match. Its Gold Medal performances at Mundus Vini 2024 and the Vinarium International Wine Contest 2024 validate what Romanian wine enthusiasts have long known: this is a serious, historically rooted wine with few direct comparisons on the global stage. For anyone seeking an entry point into fortified wines outside the Iberian Peninsula, Lacrima lui Ovidiu stands as one of Eastern Europe's most compelling options.