Romanian Wine

Bomania is located on the eastern portion of the Balkans, north of the Danube river and west of the Black Sea.

It is bordered by Bulgaria and Serbia to the south, Serbia and Hungary to the west, and Ukraina and Moldova to the north.

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History

Romania is one of Europe's oldest and most underrated wine-producing countries, with a winemaking history that dates back over 6,000 years. Its diverse geography, rich soils, and favorable climate contribute to a wide range of wine styles, from crisp whites to bold reds, including unique indigenous grape varieties.

Local Red Grapes

Fetească Neagră	The flagship red. Spicy, plum-fruited, with aging potential.
Babească Neagră	Light, fresh, Pinot-like red.
Negru de Drăgășani	Deep-colored, aromatic, gaining popularity.

Local White Grapes

Fetească Albă	Elegant, floral, light-bodied white.
Fetească Regală	More structured and aromatic. The most planted white grape.
Zghihară de Huși	Crisp, acidic white from Moldova.
Grasă de Cotnari	Used in sweet, botrytized wines.
Tămâioasă Românească	Muscat-like, often sweet and perfumed.

International Grapes

Red Grapes	Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah.
White Grapes	Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Muscat Ottonel.

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Romanian Wine Regions

Romania is divided into 6 main wine regions, each with distinct climates, soils, and traditional grape varieties.

The Carpathian Mountains, the Danube River, and the Black Sea all play major roles in shaping the terroir.

• Moldova (Moldovan Hills)
• Transilvania
• Muntenia & Oltenia (Southern Romania)
• Dobrogea
• Banat
• Crișana & Maramureș

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Moldova (Moldovan Hills)

The Moldovan Hills wine region is located in the eastern part of Romania, on the border with the Republic of Moldova.

It is the biggest and most significant wine region in Romania with 70,000 hectares of vineyards, growing on largely terraced slopes.

Many great Romanian wines are produced here, and the region is the birthplace of many indigenous grapes, like the top red grape Fetească Neagră, Busuioacă de Bohotin the only grape that produces pure rose wines, and the fresh and fruity whites: Frâncușă, Șarbă, Plăvaie, and Grasă de Cotnari.

• Climate
  Continental with hot summers and cold winters.
• Specialties
  Aromatic whites and sweet wines.
• Soil
  Clay. Limestone. Marl.
• Red Grapes
  Cabernet Sauvignon, Melot, Babească Neagră, Fetească Neagră.
• White Grapes
  Welchriesling, Fetească Albă, Fetească Regală, Tămâioasă Românească.
• Cotnari DOC
  Famous for Grasă de Cotnari, a sweet white similar to Tokaji.

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Transilvania

The Transilvania Region is located in central Romania, surrounded by the Carpathians.

Specific for this region are the white and sparkling wines, influenced by the colder climate and the minerals from the mountains. The region is the birthplace of the Fetească Regală (Royal maiden) grape.

• Climate
  Cooler, ideal for whites and sparkling wines.
• Soil
  High Altitude. Alluvial. Sand. Stone.
• Red Grapes
  Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cadarcă.
• White Grapes
  Fetească Albă, Traminer Rose, Olasz Rizling, Muscat Ottonel, Fetească Regală.
• Style
  Aromatic, fresh white wines. Increasing sparkling wine production.

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Muntenia and Oltenia

This wine region is located in Southern Romania, South of the Carpathians.

• Climate
  Maritime, sunny and dry.
• Soil
  Sandy and clay-limestone.
• Grapes
  Fetească Neagră, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tămâioasă Românească.
• Dealu Mare DOC
  Romania’s top red wine region.

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Dobrogea

The Dobrogea region is located Southeast Romania, near the Black Sea.

• Climate
  Temperate with mountain influence from the Balkan range.
• Soil
  Hilly. Volcanic. Shale. Gravel. Limestone.
• Grapes
  Riesling, Muscat Ottonel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir.
• Strength
  Balanced wines with good acidity and freshness.

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Banat

The Banat region is located in Western Romania, bordering Serbia.

• Climate
  Mild, with Central European influence.
• Soil
  Sandy and alluvial.
• Grapes
  Cadarca (Kadarka), Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir.

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Crișana and Maramureș

Crișana and Maramureș are located in Northwest Romania.

• Climate
  Continental, with cooler temperatures.
• Soil
  Hilly. Volcanic. Limestone. Gravel. Shale.
• Grapes
  Fetească Albă, Fetească Regală, Mustos de Mănești, Cabernet Sauvignon.