Romania is located at the geographical crossroads between Central and South-Eastern Europe. The Romanian wine industry uses a wide range of indigenous and international red and white Grape varieties.
Both vinifera and American grape species are present here, as well as a number of hybrids. The latter are chosen for their resistance to varying Climates.
The Fetească white grape varieties (the two variants Fetească Regală and Alba) are the most widely planted in Romania. They account for a significant portion of the country's white wine production. Romanian "Riesling" is more likely to be Welschriesling than true Rhenish Riesling. Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat (Ottonel) and Sauvignon Blanc are reliably identifiable.
As far as red wines are concerned, the great Bordeaux classics Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are planted in large numbers in Romanian vineyards and together account for about 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Other well-known reds include Pinot Noir and Blaufrankisch (Kekfrankos/Lemberger). Fetească Neagră makes its home in the eastern Part of the country, in the province of Moldova (or Moldavia), on the border with the country of the same name.
With Ukraine to the North and Bulgaria to the south, Romania is clearly a country with Slavic influences.
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