From: Letea, Dobrogea, Tulcea, Romania
Varietal: Aligoté

Taste: In the glass, this sparkling white shows a pale straw color with greenish glints and a fine, persistent bead. The nose opens with sharp lemon zest, green apple, and underripe pear, followed by hints of white blossoms and crushed chalk. On the palate, the wine is clean and linear, with bracing acidity alongside notes of Meyer lemon, lime pith, and crisp green plum. A saline undercurrent and fine mousse create a tactile sense of precision. The finish is zippy, chalk-driven, and mouthwatering, leaving behind a subtle herbal echo and citrus peel lift.



Pairing: Aligoté’s racy acidity and no-frills dryness make this sparkling version an excellent match for dishes that are salty, briny, or green. Use its lemony profile and crisp bubbles to slice through creamy textures, highlight herbs, or balance oil. Classic pairings, such as oysters with mignonette or white anchovy toasts, pair very well, while lightly fried seafood, like calamari or tempura zucchini, complements the wine’s refreshing acidity.

About:
Caii de la Letea is based in Letea, within Romania’s Danube Delta—Europe’s second largest river delta and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The winery takes its name from the nearby village and forest, both located in the Tulcea region near the eastern border with Ukraine. This remote setting, defined by shifting sand dunes, saline soils, and wild horses roaming semi-nomadic pastures, has become home to one of Romania’s most progressive wine projects. Caii de la Letea was founded in the early 2010s by entrepreneur Octavian Vintilă and a team of agronomists and engineers to reimagine Dobrogea’s historical wine culture using native grapes, modern technology, and ecological preservation.