Last week, I talked about Georgian wine, which is known for being made in qvevris, or clay containers. This week, the focus will be on Romania, which is Europe’s fifth-largest wine producer – after Italy, France, Spain and Germany. I had no idea. I’m eager to learn more.
An Overview of Romania and Wine
Lonely Planet tells us that “Romania is Europe’s fifth-biggest winegrower and produces more wine than New Zealand, though it is nowhere near as famous. This is wine country through and through, with grapevines grown just about everywhere. Wine has been renowned in Drăgăşani since the 16th century, and today, is home to some of Romania’s most innovative small family wineries, offering a warm and very personal welcome, and situated conveniently close together to form an easy wine trail. Travelers will find familiar grapes such as Merlot, Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio, but more intriguing are Romania’s local varieties, including the widespread Fetească group, as well as the rare white grape Crâmpoşie Selecţionată, and reds such as Novac and Negru de Drăgăşani, many of which are grown nowhere else in the world.”
We learn from Wikipedia that Romania’s most cultivated grape varieties are for white wines Fetească Albă, Fetească Regală, Riesling, Aligoté, Sauvignon, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Tămâioasă Românească, Grasă de Cotnari, Galbenă de Odobești. Also, the main grape varieties for red wines are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Băbească Neagră, Fetească Neagră, Pinot Noir.
Romanian Timeline
Wine production in Romania dates back to ancient times when the Greeks brought grapevines to the country via the Black Sea between 600-500 BC.
In modern times, winemaking in Romania was very poor quality. This was due to Soviet policies that were focused on quantity, not quality. Even after the fall of the communist regime in 1989, limited investment and know-how meant that cheap wine production continued.
After 2007, when Romania became a member of the EU, things changed. Funds became available to replant vineyards, modernize wineries, and attract foreign investors. But the country’s longstanding reputation for low-quality wine will take some time to get over.
The country wanted to import to the United States to help build its reputation. According to SevenFifty Daily, “The U.S. is now Romania’s second largest export market outside the EU.”
White Grapes
Thank you to SevenFifty Daily for this great information. “The high-yielding, white-berried Fetească Regală, which translates to royal maiden, is the most planted grape variety. It’s seen as a rather versatile grape, offering good acidity and higher tannins compared to other white varieties.
“Fetească Albă, meaning white maiden, is the third most-planted grape. In youth, it makes wines with delicate floral and citrus aromas.”
Tămâioasă Românească are semi-sweet to sweet wines.
Grasă de Cotnari and Galbenă de Odobești are town names.
Red Grapes
Fetească Neagră, or black maiden, is Romania’s favorite indigenous red grape. Depending on climate and vintage, it can produce medium- to full-bodied wines. The best ones have good aging potential. These grapes produce dry, demi-dry or sweet wines and are known for having a deep red color with ruby shades, and a black currant flavor, which becomes richer and smoother with aging.
Băbească Neagră follows as the second most-planted indigenous red grape. This grape is believed to be a very old variety, with the earliest mentions of the grape dating back to the early 14th century. The name, in Romanian, translates to “Grandmother’s black.”
Have you tried Romanian wine? I haven’t, but I now will.
