Zoltan Szabo lives in Romania now but made his name establishing and managing wine programs at iconic establishments in the world's major cities. Currently involved in initiatives in his homeland, Zoltan opines and comments on the international scene from his domestic perch and moderates a wine-focused Facebook page -- Botrytis Cinera -- which he launched about 5 years ago.
I got to know Zoltan through posting my blog on his page and an online relationship was built on that base. Once I made the decision to go to Romania for the Winelovers' Anniversary, I saw an opportunity to meet Zoltan personally and reached out to him towards that end. He was amenable and proposed that we do more than meet. "I will take you around my regular hang-about places taste some top Romanian wines, introduce you to some of my friends, eat, chat, whatnot ..." In a subsequent communication he indicated that our adventures would be "off the beaten path" as regards typical Bucharest tourism.
I had some difficulty getting into Bucharest from London but things eventually worked out and I arrived in the city late in the evening of June 2nd. On June 3rd, after breakfast in the dining room with Brandon and Lidia, I met Zoltan in the lobby.
Zoltan welcomed me heartily (he is an exuberant kind of fellow). He was accompanied Daniel Topan, owner of VIP Drivers Bucharest -- "a luxury car service for an uncompromising international clientele" -- and our constant companion over the time that we spent together.
 |
| Daniel Topan, Zoltan Szabo, and Author (Picture taken at a subsequent date) |
We exited the hotel and sunk into the welcoming luxury of a late-model Mercedes sedan. While in the car, Zoltan told me about our upcoming stop. We would be going to a wine shop owned by a friend of his to taste some of the top-level Romanian wines drawn from growing areas other than the one I would be visiting later with the Romanian-Winelovers-organized Anniversary tour.
The ride was my first opportunity to see the city of Bucharest and my travel partners pointed out sights of interest and variations of architecture along the way. They also shared insights into the country's distant and near-term history: about the original inhabitants, the Roman conquest, the Muslim years, the Soviet years, and the last days of Ceausescu. Geographical topics included the internal structure of the country and relationships within and without. Daniel seemed to be especially knowledgeable across a broad range of topics.
We finally pulled up to an establishment with the name Wine With Me emblazoned on the fronting glass panel. On the sidewalk in front of the building was a broadly smiling individual who Zoltan jumped out of the car and hugged vigorously. This person turned out to be Emil Popescu, owner of the establishment. After introductions all around, we were led into the premises.
 |
| Emil and Zoltan |
As I surveyed the fully stocked shelves, I was surprised to see the wines that I normally drink: wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Tuscany, etc. As Emil subsequently explained, the establishment was a "niche" operation, providing access to wines that are not readily available -- or pursued -- by the average Bucharest dweller. This meant that (i) the wines were non-Romanian in origin and (ii) were priced above the norm for Romanian wines. Clients of the store are mostly also members, all with a common goal of wine exploration and appreciation. Membership provides access to the many themed tasting events that advance this common goal. Emil has a Level 3 WSET certification and, as such, is well equipped to organize and lead many of these sessions. To a large part, however, these focused tastings are led by outside experts.
A number of members were on hand and I was introduced to them. A few others came in after the start of the tasting and I was introduced to them subsequently. In addition to Zoltan, Serban, Emil, and me, tasting participants were (descriptors provided by Zoltan):
- Serban Gabriel Chinole -- "respectable businessman and coach, gastro/vinous consultant, event organizer ..."
- Mihai Ciucur -- multiple Best Sommelier of Romania champion. Best in Europe and Best in World participant
- Iosif Endrodi -- childhood friend and former work colleague of Zoltan. Operations Manager at Bertis, Transylvania's largest food and beverage producer and distributor
- Pablo Zapata -- Chilean diplomat and promoter of the country's biodiversity.
 |
| Author flanked by Mihai and Zoltan |
After introductions and conversation, we were asked to take our seats so that the tasting could begin. I will detail the tasting in a follow-up post.
No comments:
Post a Comment