Aurelia Visinescu, Domeniile Sahateni: Women love wine as much as men
Aurelia Visinescu needs no introduction to the world of wine. From the first gold medals for Romania to the reinvention of Feteasca neagra, top wines from Tamaioasa and one of the most successful private wine companies, Aurelia has been involved in every step of the new history of Romanian wine. Today, in the series of articles celebrating women in the world of wine, we find out what her personal tastes are, beyond the image constructed in the market.
1. What was the moment when you realized / knew that your personal destiny is linked to wine?
When I actually got in touch with the product. Although I studied viticulture and oenology in college, my desire to get closer to wine belonged more to its theoretical side. I liked the scientific complexity behind the wine (after 30 years, I realize that there is even more complexity behind the vineyard works), but the true knowledge of the product came when I "entered the work field".
It was love at first sight.
2. What style of wine do you prefer, in general?
I like good wines. usually the dry ones. As for the rosés, I like the light, fruity, summer ones. I like full-bodied, tasty white wines, which convey the aroma through the taste buds. But most of all I love complex, mature red wines.
3. How do you choose different wines (wine brands or styles) depending on certain moments – seasonal, anniversary, warm or friendly discussions, sophisticated dinners or everyday?
I choose depending on all of the above, but more importantly depending on how I feel, on the resonance I have with the product at that moment.
4. What was the perfect, memorable pairing, where everything involved – wine, food, people – fell into place?
In recent years there have been many changes that we have faced, but the pandemic was the thing that no one expected. The period in which the freedom we were used to was seriously affected made us appreciate the things that seemed "for granted" until then. And yes, now I can say that the simple things, like meals together with the family, along with a bottle of fine wine (Anima Grand Reserve 2016) and a quality beef steak, made possible the perfect pairing of all times.
5. How much decision-making power do women have in the Romanian wine market?
Women are more and more present on the wine market in Romania and it is starting to be a normal thing. Probably, in time, with the development of the field, more women will appear who will offer the world good wines, but the decision-making power depends on the work and commitment of each one and it is not necessarily a matter of gender.
6. What do women know about wine that men don’t (yet) know?
That we love wine at least as much as they do.
In March, Wines of Romania set out to honor the role of women in the world of Romanian wine. We are therefore preparing a series of materials – interviews, articles and social media posts – to draw the public’s attention to the role of women in oenology. Come back for more portraits, and until then you can read below about:
