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Jetsetting with Nederburg Wines’ Razvan Macici

SINGAPORE — You can practically taste South Africa in a glass. So says Razvan Macici, the cellar master from one of South Africa’s most recognised labels.

Razvan Macici knows it’s the 
soil in South Africa that makes all 
the difference 
to its wines.

Razvan Macici knows it’s the
soil in South Africa that makes all
the difference
to its wines.

SINGAPORE — You can practically taste South Africa in a glass. So says Razvan Macici, the cellar master from one of South Africa’s most recognised labels.

“Not only is South Africa very beautiful, it is the most bio diverse,” explained Macici, who recently concluded his Asian tour to launch Nederburg’s limited edition Gewurztraminer. “That means we are able to grow a wide variety of grapes and grow the same grape type in different areas to offer different varietal expression. A vineyard with just Cabernet Sauvignon would give you a range of aromas, flavours and textures.”

This winemaker learnt from his travels that it doesn’t matter if you know next to nothing about wines — as long as you have a story to tell while drinking. “Everybody gets friendlier after the second glass of wine; everyone wants to share in authentic stories. It personalises their experience of wine,” he said.

Q: You were originally from Romania, but now you’re in South Africa. What do you love about each country?

A: Romania shaped me and my love for wine as both my parents were involved in the wine industry — my mother as an academic and my late father as a renowned dessert wine specialist. I still have deep ties with the country and return every year. Although culturally, historically, climatically and topographically, the two countries are very different, they still share a lot of similarities. The people of both are very warm-hearted, hospitable and family-oriented. They express their generosity through food and wine and love nothing more than to share the dinner table with newcomers.

Q: What are some places you recommend visiting in Romania?

A: Romania has a bit of everything to offer travellers, from the Black Sea to the largest nature reserve in Europe, the Danube Delta, the Carpathian Mountains, the Transylvanian plateau, as well as history, tradition and, of course, good wines. I love the North of Romania, the region of Bukovina, with its amazing painted monasteries.

Q: Do you have a favourite restaurant in South Africa to enjoy a bottle of Nederburg?

A: I don’t think I could choose just one because there are so many. Each offers a unique taste experience, although I have to say that you shouldn’t miss out on The Red Table, our restaurant at Nederburg. Our chef offers tasty, simple but well-prepared dishes that celebrate farm-fresh and local ingredients and are created to showcase our wines. I’m a great lover of meat, so I enjoy our pork belly (with The Anchorman Chenin Blanc), and our signature venison burger and sirloin.

Q: Since you’re staying in such a beautiful country and surrounded by vineyards all the time, where do you go for a holiday?

A: I enjoy family seaside holidays at Betty’s Bay, a truly unspoiled spot along the southern Cape coast. Serene Lim

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