Caii de la Letea Vol.2 Aligote (Via Viticola) 2023 [Caii de la Letea Vol.2 Aligote] (Romania / White / Refreshing, Dry)

■ Appearance: Healthy, very clear and brilliant lemon yellow.

■ Aroma: A very fresh and complex bouquet, bursting with wild flowers, elderflower, acacia, and chamomile, interwoven with crisp green apple, white peach, pear, citrus aromas, and an impressive flinty minerality reminiscent of wet stone.

■ Palate: Lively, deeply refreshing. Bright green apple and citrus flavors, with a subtle touch of summer grass, perfectly balanced by a rounded, gentle mouthfeel and a magnificent mineral backbone. Superbly dry, yet an appetizing, delicate fruit sweetness spreads across the palate, leading to a long, elegant finish highlighted by nuances of chicory.

The spirit of wild horses and the essence of Aligoté, born from Romania's coastal terroir
Produced by VSN in the sun-drenched hills of Dobrogea, near the Black Sea. Inspired by the majestic wild horses inhabiting the Letea Forest, this wine perfectly captures the untamed natural beauty and the astonishing viticultural potential of Romania's coastal terroir.

While Aligoté originated in France, it has found a wonderful second home in Romania, becoming the flagship white grape of the Dobrogea region. Widely cultivated here (over 850 hectares in Dobrogea alone), Romanian Aligoté is highly prized for its unparalleled vibrancy and depth.

Under the expert guidance of vineyard manager Sorin Ignat and consultant Paul Fulea, it is cultivated with strict quality control and low yields (just 3.0 t/ha). Carefully vinified to preserve its pure and complex aromas, the wine boasts an exceptional structure and a magnificent aging potential that extends until around 2030. VSN consistently pushes the boundaries of Romanian winemaking, elevating indigenous and foreign varieties to unprecedented international heights.

Recommended perfect matches for this wine:

• ■ Herb-roasted white fish: The bright citrus notes and refreshing acidity act as a perfect natural squeeze of lemon, enhancing the delicate fish flavors and aromatic herbs.
• ■ Nanbanzuke (marinated fried fish) or Caponata: The wine's lively and fresh profile beautifully harmonizes with the sweet and sour flavors of vinegar and marinated vegetables.
• ■ Grilled chicken and fresh cheese salad: The wine's rounded, gentle mouthfeel and subtle floral notes create a refreshing palate cleanser, perfect with yogurt-based dressings and soft, fresh cheeses.

Serving Temperature: 8℃〜10℃ (Enjoy its true richness at this temperature range)

Sarica Niculitel (Niculitel Village, Dobrogea Region)
Located in the lowlands (0-50m altitude) with a warm maritime climate influenced by the Black Sea, the vines grow in pure ancient limestone soil. This calcareous soil is the secret behind the wine's distinctive "wet stone" minerality and its sharp, refreshing, lively acidity.