Romania Flashcards
Prior to 1989, what was most of Romania wine production?
Quantity over quality. Frost and disease resistant hybrids, 60% made by huge cooperatives
When did Romania join the EU?
2007
Who is responsible for the majority of wine production in Romania?
5 wineries nearly 70% of production, with about 97% of growers owning less than 0.5 h
Whites dominate around 60%
What international varieties are grown in Romania?
Merlot, CS, PN
Merlot leads in vineyard plantings
What are some of the indigenous white grapes in Romania?
Fetească Albă and Fetească Regală. Riesling Italico (Welschriesling)
What are other white grapes planted?
Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Muscat Ottonel, and Pinot Gris
What are some of the indigenous red grapes in Romania?
Fetească Neagră, Burgund Mare, and Băbească Neagră - higher quality
Rosioara (Bulgaria’s Pamid) is for table wine
What are the two broad categories for wine
Wines for Current Consumption (table wines) subdivided into VM (table wine/Vin de Masa) and VMS (superior table wine/Vin de Masa Superior)
Quality Wines classified as either Vin cu Indicaţie Geografică (a PGI designation) or Denumire de Origine Controlată (or DOC, a PDO designation).
Labeling requirment for Vin cu Indicaţie wines?
minimum of 85% of the grapes must be produced and vinified in the area specified on the label
What are some sub categories to DOC in Romania?
DOC-CMD: grapes harvested at full maturity
DOC-CT: late-harvested grapes
DOC-CIB: botrytis-affected grapes
What other additional regulated quality aging terms may appear on a label?
Rezervă - 6 mon oak/6 mon bottle
Vin de Vinotecă - 1 yr oak/4 yrs bottle
What are some moderating factors in Romania?
Same latitude as France, climate is continental and moderated by the Black Sea. The Carpathian Mountains dominate the center of the country, and the Danube River marks the southern border with Serbia.
Which wine regions form a ring around the Carpathian Mountains?
Moldavan Hills in the east, Muntenia-Oltenia toward the south, and Banat and Crişana-Maramureş in the northwest
Where are Romania’s highest vineyards?
Transylvanian Plateau, in the center of the country
What is one of Romania’s coolest and most important wine regions?
Târnave DOC, white wines of high acidity from several varieties, including the Fetească grapes and Traminer Rosé.
What is a famous wine on par with Tokaji and Constantia?
sweet white wines of Cotnari DOC in Moldavia, Romania
List some indigneous grapes and their characteristics?
Grasă de Cotnari - extreme ripeness
Frâncusa - high acid
Tămâioasă Românească - resiny
Fetească Albă - high alc, aromatic, med acidity prone to botyrtis
