Novac is a unique Romanian grape variety with exceptional qualities.
Developed through diligent selection by Marculescu Mircea, Novac combines the characteristics of Negru vartos and Saperavi varieties. Its grapes are medium-sized and cylindrical in shape, with a bluish-black color. The flesh is juicy and has a sweet-sour taste, complemented by fine tannins and good acidity.
Novac wine boasts a ruby-red color and a distinct aroma, with hints of blueberries, cloves, black pepper, and dark chocolate. It pairs perfectly with fresh and soft cheeses and fresh red meat. With its potential for aging in oak barrels, Novac is a wine variety that stands out among Romanian grape varieties.
Novac: A Romanian Grape Variety with Fine Tannins and Good Acidity
Introduction to Novac Grape Variety
Regarding Romanian grape varieties, Novac is a unique and exceptional option for winemakers. With its fine tannins, good acidity, and distinct taste profile, Novac grape has gained popularity in Romania’s wine industry. In this article, I will explore the origin, physical characteristics, cultivation techniques, winemaking potential, and future prospects of the Novac grape.
Origin and History of Novac Grape
The Novac grape variety was obtained through individual selection by Marculescu Mircea at SCDVV Dragasani. It was released in 1987 and has become a cherished addition to Romania’s viticultural heritage. The variety is a cross between the Negru vartos and Saperavi grapes, resulting in a unique and complex flavor profile that sets it apart from other Romanian grape varieties.
Ampelographic Characters of Novac Grape
The Novac grape displays specific ampelographic characteristics that contribute to its unique appeal. The adult leaves are medium-sized, typically with three to five lobes. The flowers are normal hermaphrodite type 5, making the variety autofertile.
The grape clusters are medium-sized, cylindrical, and uniaxial, with the berries covering the entire cluster. The berries themselves are middle-sized, egg-shaped, and have a striking bluish-black color. The flesh of the Novac grape is red, juicy, and non-fragrant, with a sweet-sour taste that adds complexity to the resulting wine.
Growth and Development of Novac Grape
In the Dragasani vineyard, the Novac grape experiences bud opening around mid-April, with a vegetation period lasting approximately 180-185 days. The vines exhibit full vigor and medium-good fertility, contributing to a high production potential of 4.8-6.8 kg per log or 20 to 25 tons per hectare.
The Novac grape reaches full maturity in mid-September, approximately ten days before Merlot. At maturity, the grapes accumulate around 208-220 g/l sugar, with a total acidity (H2SO4) ranging from 5.2 to 6.3 g/l. These optimal growth and development conditions play a crucial role in the resulting quality of Novac wine.
Size and Shape of Grapes
The Novac grape produces medium-sized grape clusters that are cylindrical in shape, with the berries tightly packed together. This compact arrangement enhances the flavor concentration and contributes to the overall appeal of the grapes.
Color and Taste of Berries
The berries of the Novac grape are known for their mesmerizing bluish-black color. This visual characteristic adds to the allure and aesthetics of the grape clusters. Regarding taste, Novac grapes boast a sweet-sour flavor profile, creating a balanced and intriguing combination that translates into the resulting wines.
Flesh Characteristics
The flesh of the Novac grape is juicy and non-fragrant, contributing to the wine’s overall texture and mouthfeel. Although lacking a distinct aroma, the flesh adds depth and complexity to the taste, enhancing the overall drinking experience.
Optimal Climatic Conditions for Cultivation
To cultivate Novac grapes successfully, it is essential to consider the optimal climatic conditions. The variety thrives in a temperate climate, with warm summers and mild winters. The Dragasani region in Romania provides these ideal conditions, with just the right amount of sun exposure and rainfall.
The ability of the Novac grape to adapt to the local climate contributes to its distinct characteristics and flavor profile.
Cultivation Techniques for Novac Grape
Cultivating the Novac grape requires a combination of traditional and modern viticultural techniques. Pruning, trellising, and canopy management are crucial aspects of ensuring the optimal growth and development of the grapevines. Additionally, regular monitoring and control of pests and diseases help maintain the health and quality of the Novac grape clusters.
Harvesting and Maturity
To achieve the desired quality and flavor profile, timing is crucial when it comes to harvesting the Novac grapes. Full maturity is typically reached in mid-September, with sugar accumulation of around 208-220 g/l and a total acidity of 5.2 to 6.3 g/l. Harvesting at the right moment ensures the best balance of sweetness and acidity, resulting in the finest Novac wines.
Suitability for Aging
Novac wine has gained recognition for its suitability for aging in oak barrels and then bottles. The fine tannins and good acidity of the Novac grape contribute to the wine’s aging potential, further enhancing its complexity and flavor profile over time. This makes Novac wine an excellent option for wine enthusiasts looking for long-term cellaring and enjoyment.
Smell and Taste Profile of Novac Wine
Novac wine offers a unique sensory experience with its distinct smell and taste profile. On the nose, the wine exhibits notes of blueberries, cloves, black pepper, and dark chocolate. The complex aromas create an alluring bouquet that invites exploration. On the palate, Novac wine delights with flavors of blueberries, cloves, black pepper, and dark chocolate, followed by a lingering aftertaste of rosehip and sloes. The combination of these sensory elements makes Novac wine a captivating choice for wine lovers.
Food Pairing Suggestions
Novac wine’s flavor profile and structure make it a versatile option for food pairing. The wine pairs exceptionally well with fresh and soft cheeses, allowing their creaminess to complement the wine’s acidity. Additionally, Novac wine harmonizes perfectly with fresh red meat, enhancing the flavors and creating a memorable dining experience.
Comparison with Other Romanian Red Grape Varieties
When exploring Romanian red grape varieties, it is essential to compare Novac with other notable options. Babeasca Neagra, Feteasca Neagra, and Negru de Dragasani are three popular Romanian grape varieties that deserve attention alongside Novac.
Babeasca Neagra
Babeasca Neagra, also known as “the black maiden,” is a Romanian grape variety known for its vibrant red color and medium-bodied wines. While Novac boasts a more robust tannin structure and higher acidity, Babeasca Neagra presents softer tannins and a milder taste profile. Both varieties offer unique characteristics that contribute to Romania’s diverse wine landscape.
Feteasca Neagra
Feteasca Neagra, translated as “the black maiden,” shares a name with Babeasca Neagra but offers a distinct flavor profile. Feteasca Neagra wines showcase velvety tannins, elegant aromas of dark fruits, and a long finish. In comparison, Novac exhibits a more pronounced acidity and bold flavor profile. Both varieties contribute to the richness and diversity of Romanian red wines.
Negru de Dragasani
Hailing from the same region as the Novac grape, Negru de Dragasani showcases a deep red color and a richer taste profile. This grape variety offers bold tannins, complex flavors, and strong aging potential. While Novac shares some similarities, such as the use of oak aging, it presents a distinct flavor profile with its fine tannins and good acidity.
Novac Grape in Romania’s Wine Industry
Novac grape has gained popularity and demand in Romania’s wine industry. The best Romanian winemakers value the unique characteristics of the Novac grape, its fine tannins, good acidity, and distinct flavor profile, allowing them to craft exceptional wines that stand out in the market.
Novac plays a significant role in wine production in Romania, contributing to the diversity and quality of the country’s red wines. The grape’s distinct characteristics, such as its bluish-black color and sweet-sour taste, give winemakers unique tools to create memorable wines.
Moreover, Novac has become a regional specialization in the Dragasani region, further enhancing the area’s reputation as one of the premier wine-producing regions in Romania. The Novac grape’s success and popularity have positioned it as a symbolic representation of Romania’s viticultural heritage and responsible for producing of the best Romanian wines.
Novac Grape in Oenotourism
Novac grape’s appeal extends beyond winemaking, making it an integral part of Romania’s wine tourism scene. Wine tours and tastings featuring Novac wines allow visitors to explore and appreciate the unique flavor profile and sensory experience that Novac offers.
Furthermore, promoting Novac grapes is crucial in showcasing Romania’s winemaking traditions and innovation to domestic and international wine enthusiasts. By highlighting Novac’s exceptional characteristics and its role in producing outstanding wines, Romania’s wine industry can attract more tourists and wine enthusiasts to explore Romania’s vineyards and wineries.
Private events and experiences centered around Novac grape further contribute to the growth of oenotourism in Romania. These exclusive gatherings offer personalized encounters with Novac wines, allowing attendees to delve deeper into the world of Romanian wine and immerse themselves in an unforgettable wine-tasting experience.
Future Prospects for Novac Grape
The Novac grape holds promising prospects for further research and development. Ongoing efforts to refine cultivation techniques, improve grape characteristics, and explore modern winemaking methods can elevate the Novac grape’s status in the global wine community.
International recognition of the Novac grape and its potential for producing exceptional wines can open up market opportunities for Romanian winemakers. As Novac wines gain prominence and appreciation worldwide, Romania’s wine industry can showcase its unique terroir and winemaking traditions to a broader audience.
Market opportunities for Novac wines can expand as consumers increasingly seek out unique and lesser-known grape varieties. Novac’s distinctive flavor profile, aging potential, and food-pairing versatility make it a compelling choice for wine enthusiasts looking for new and exciting experiences.
Conclusion
Novac grape, with its fine tannins, good acidity, and distinct flavor profile, stands out as a remarkable Romanian grape variety. Its ampelographic characteristics, physical attributes, and optimal growth conditions contribute to producing exceptional Novac wines. With its suitability for aging, captivating smell and taste profile, and versatility in food pairing, Novac has become a beloved choice among wine enthusiasts.
In Romania’s wine industry, the Novac grape has gained popularity and demand, playing a significant role in wine production and regional specialization. It has become an integral part of Romania’s wine scene, attracting wine lovers worldwide to explore and appreciate the unique qualities of Novac wines.
The future prospects for the Novac grape are bright, with ongoing research and development, international recognition, and market opportunities paving the way for its continued success. As Novac wines gain prominence on the global stage, the top wineries in Romania wine industry have the chance to showcase its rich viticultural heritage and innovative winemaking practices to wine enthusiasts worldwide.