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 France/bordeaux">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">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.
Muscat Ottonel has the character of a grape variety with a distant lineage. It was first obtained in 1839 and continues to be planted in nearly 2,000 hectares of vineyards around the world. It shows good vigour and promises satisfactory production, of the order of 6 kilos per vine. The bunches, which are rather loose, are quite large, bearing berries with a strong character. A pleasantly musky flavour and a lot of juice characterize the pulp, protected by a medium skin. The bluish-black skin contributes to the exceptional beauty of the vineyards at harvest time. The size of the ellipsoidal berries is another argument in favor of Muscat Ottonel, which is also known as Muscat Ottone or Muscadet Ottonel. Resin, toast, honey and wild flowers are all present in the wines made from this variety. If the foliage, which turns yellow in autumn, is one of its charms, remember to protect the fruit from grey rot and coulure.
white wines from the region of Romania go well with generally quite well with dishes of pork, rich fish (salmon, tuna etc) or shellfish such as recipes of chinchards with white wine and grapes, round zucchini stuffed with tuna or catalan zarzuela.
On the nose in the region of Romania often reveals types of flavors of quince, peach or minerality and sometimes also flavors of honey, earth or tree fruit.
