Folklore Malanca Babeasca Neagra

Babeasca Neagra (aka Rara Neagra) is a popular Romanian-Moldovan grape variety that has reputedly been grown in the region for 2000 years and is very popular with locals. Vinified by father and son Podgoria Nicoresti for the Folklore range, grapes are harvested from vineyards in the region of Nicoresti and aged in oak.

The resulting wine, named ‘Malanca’ is ruby in appearance, with bright red fruit aromas of cranberry, sour cherry, plum and red currant alongside hints of cinnamon and dried flowers. This falls on to the dry, rounded palate alongside soft tannins balanced with high, fresh acidity.  A good red wine to pair with white meats, try with chicken, turkey, mushroom dishes or aged cheeses. 

Malanca is a very old Romanian tradition from the north of Moldova and Bucovina that takes place on New Year’s Eve, consisting of carolers who dress a boy in bridal clothes, called Malanca, and visit all the houses where an unmarried girl lives.