SOME CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING THE GRAPEVINE VARIETY

ASSORTMENT AND WINE CATEGORIES IN ROMANIA IN RECENT

YEARS

A.O. Antoce(1)

, I. Nmoloanu(1), D. Dua(2), D. Mereanu(2), C. Rebigan(2), V. Nicolau(2), L. Clugru(2)

(1)

University of Agronomical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest;

59 Mrti Blvd., Sector 1, Bucharest, 011464 Romania; aantoce@yahoo.com

(2) National Office of Vine and Wine Products (ONVPV);

49 os. Iancului, sector 2, 021719 Bucharest, Romania; office@onvpv.ro

ABSTRACT

The paper discusses the general state of affairs in todays Romanian viticulture and winemaking, which have come a long way since the collapse of the communist regime,

gathering new momentum after the accession of Romania to the European Union. After

introducing the wine regions, vineyards, Denominations of Controlled Origin and Geographic

Indications as well as the main grapevine varieties cultivated, some statistics are presented

regarding various indicators in this field of activity for the period 2009-2012. Several

unbalances are mentioned regarding plantation type and variety distribution, as well as some

recent effects of the regulations in the DOC and GI areas, together with foreseen changes in

the near future when new legislation is due to be passed.

RSUM

Le travail examine l'tat gnral des affaires de la viticulture et vinification roumaine

d'aujourd'hui, qui ont parcouru un long chemin depuis l'effondrement du rgime communiste,

et ont pris du nouvel lan aprs l'adhsion de la Roumanie l'Union Europenne. Aprs avoir

prsent les rgions viticoles, vignobles, Appellations d'Origine Contrle et des Indications

Gographiques ainsi que les principaux cpages cultivs, certaines statistiques sont prsentes

en ce qui concerne les diffrents indicateurs dans ce domaine d'activit pour la priode 2009-

2012. Plusieurs dsquilibres sont mentionns concernant le type de plantation et la

distribution des varits, ainsi que certains effets rcents des rglementations dans les

domaines AOC et IG, ainsi que les modifications prvues dans un proche avenir lorsque la

nouvelle lgislation devrait tre adopte.

INTRODUCTION

The accession of Romania to the European Union in 2007 lead to an increase of the

vineyard surface of the Union with 178,100 ha (Romanian Ministry of Agriculture, 2008).

Among the wine-producing countries of the world today Romania ranks fifteenth, with an

average annual yield over the period 2007-2011 of about 4.9 million hectoliters of wine

(Romanian Ministry of Agriculture, 2012 and Romanian wine registry kept by ONVPV).

Viewed with a critical eye, the wine industry in present days Romania is still behind the

technical and economic possibilities encountered in other European countries, especially those

with large surfaces of vineyards, such as France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Portugal.

Nevertheless the situation improved greatly after the countrys accession to EU, due to a better funding of the sector.

Being a country with long tradition in winemaking, dating back several thousand years,

there is no doubt that the wine sector will improve further in the near future.

The paper presents some of the particularities of Romanian wine sector which allow for the

production of high quality wines, together with some aspects derived from recent statistical

data regarding plantation surfaces, variety assortment and wine production in the last few

years.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study is based on the official documents issued by the National Office of Vine and

Wine Products (ONVPV) and data included in the Wine register of Romania, as well as

legislation applicable in the field of Denomination of Origin and Geographical Indication

wines.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

General information regarding Romanian wine regions

Romania has a particularly favorable geographical position (Cotea V.V. et al., 2008) and is

located in the Western part of the Black Sea basin, ranging between 44 and 48 North

latitude. Specific to Romania is a temperate continental climate with harsh winters. Most of

the vineyards are located in the foothills of the Carpathians Mountains, but about 25% are

also to be found on plateaus or terraces. The lands dedicated to viticulture are usually mild

slopes with southern exposure in favorable microclimate niches that offer protection from the

frosts. The soils are quite variable, from rich to poor skeletal soils. The annual rainfall varies

in general between 400 and 600 mm, with many regions supplied with favorable rainfall, but

also with regions where irrigation is required. The large array of site conditions provides good

opportunities for a wide range of grapevine varieties, which leads to a rich assortment of

wines (Nmoloanu and Antoce 2000). According to the National Office of Vine and Wine Products (ONVPV), the Romanian

viticulture is divided into eight wine regions. Within this structure 37 vineyards are included,

which in turn are divided into 123 viticultural centers. To these, other 40 independent centers

that are located outside the specified regions are added (Order 225/2006 of the Romanian

Ministry of Agriculture).

The wine regions of Romania, in which Geographic Indication wines with the same name

can be produced, are described in Tables 1 and 2. The regions are officially numbered from 1

to 8 although the number is not related with the size, alphabetical order or some rule regarding

the placement on the map.

The wine regions are mostly identical to the geographic regions of the country. Only in the

case of the geographic region Oltenia and Muntenia two Geographical indications are merged.

Other variations are encountered in the wine regions 7 and 8, which are both located

geographically along the Danube, but also in part of the historical regions of Oltenia and

Muntenia.

The location of the wine-growing regions is given in Fig. 1, while Table 1 contains some

data regarding the wine regions, the viticultural zones defined in EU, the length of the

growing season, the temperature sums (Olobeanu, M. et al. 1991; Olteanu I. 2000) and the vineyards included in these regions. It should be reminded that, in accordance to European

Council Regulation No. 645/2005 and Council Regulation No. 479/2008 the Romanian wine-

growing zones are included in the European growing zones B, C I and C II.

Fig. 1. General location of the 8 wine regions of Romania.

Table 1. The wine regions and their main characteristics

Wine region

EU growing

zone type (CEE

479/2008)

Vegetation

period

(days)

Temperature

sums

(Apr.-Sept.) Vineyards

No. of

vineyards

1. Podiul Transilvaniei Transylvanian plateau

B 177 2796 Trnave, Alba, Sebe-Apold, Aiud, Lechina 5

2. Dealurile Moldovei

Hills of Moldova C I 183 3061 Cotnari, Iai, Hui, Colinele

Tutovei, Dealul Bujorului,

Iveti, Nicoreti, Zeletin, Covurlui, Panciu, Odobeti, Coteti

12

3. Dealurile Olteniei i Munteniei

Hills of Vallachia and

Oltenia

C II 195 3257 Dealurile Buzului, Dealu Mare, tefneti, Smbureti, Drgani, Dealurile Craio-vei, Podgoria Severinului,

Plaiurile Drncei

8

4. Dealurile Banatului

Hills of Banat C I 200 3228 6 independent centers not

included in a vineyard region 0

5. Dealurile Crianei i Maramureului Hills of Crisana and

Maramures

C I 187 2990 Mini-Mderat, Diosig, Valea lui Mihai, Podgoria Silvaniei

4

6. Colinele Dobrogei

Hills of Dobrogea C II 196 3164 Murfatlar, Istria-Babadag,

Sarica-Niculiel 3

7. Terasele Dunarii

Danube Terraces C II 202 3353 Ostrov, Greaca, centers of

Giurgiu, Zimnicea, nsurei-Brila

2

8. Nisipurile din Sudul

rii Sands and other

Favourable Lands of the

south of the country

C II 198 3285 Podgoria Dacilor, Calafat,

Sadova-Corabia 3

Total 37

REGIUNILE VITICOLE ALE ROMNIEI REGIUNILE VITICOLE ALE ROMNIEI

NCADRATE NCADRATE N ZONELE VITICOLE EUROPENE N ZONELE VITICOLE EUROPENE

Transilvania , Dealurile Moldovei , Dealurile Munteniei si Olteniei ,

Banat, Crisana si Maramures, Colinele Dobrogei, Terasele Dunarii,

Nisipurile si Alte Terenuri Favorabile din Sudul tarii

CI

CI

Zone viticole europene::

- B

- C I

- C II B CI

CI CII

CII

CII

CII

1. Wine region Podiul Transilvaniei (Transylvanian plateau): The region is located North of the Carpathian Mountains, in Transylvania, in the center of the country. The helio-thermal

conditions are moderate, but with abundant rainfall. It is evident that the growing season of 177

days on average is rather modest. Due to the structure of the plateau, some excellent local

conditions can be found here for the vine cultivation and production of top quality white wines.

2. Wine region Dealurile Moldovei (Hills of Moldova): It is located East of the Eastern

Carpathians and extending over several hundred kilometers from the Northern Moldova area

(Cotnari region), where most renowned white wines are produced, to the South of the

province (Nicoreti, Iveti, Dealul Bujorului), where well-known high-quality red wines are produced. The growing season lasts an average of 183 days, which is influenced by the

continental climate and a strong Eastern European wind. With a total surface of about 70,000

ha it is the largest viticultural region of Romania.

3. Wine region Dealurile Munteniei i Olteniei (Hills of Vallachia and Oltenia): It is located South of the Carpathians, around 45 North latitude and extends over the two geographical

and historical regions with the same names. Being located mostly on Southern slopes of the

Carpathian foothills the vineyards have an average period of vegetation of 195 days.

Preferably late-ripening grape varieties are grown here, because the climate allows the

production of a wide range of quality wines, both white and red.

4. Wine region Dealurile Banatului (Hills of Banat): It is the smallest wine-growing region

of Romania and has no designated wine region. Instead, five wine centers exist. The region

lies in the South-West of the country, bordering Serbia and Hungary. The mild climate is

Mediterranean, with Adriatic influences. With a growing season of 200 days, it makes

possible the cultivation and production of both white and red wines of superior quality.

5. Wine region Dealurile Crianei and Maramureului (Hills of Crisana and Maramures): It lies in the North-West of the country, around 48 North latitude and is the most northerly

wine-growing region of the country. The vegetation period here is 187 days. The central

European climate influences allow here for the cultivation of both white and red grape

varieties of a wide range, starting from simple wines without DOC or GI and quality wines to

high-quality vintage wines. The viticultural centers are scattered and located mostly in the

hills along the rivers Mure and Tisa. 6. Wine region Colinele Dobrogei (Hills of Dobrogea): This region is limited in West by the

Danube river which flows towards North in this area, and by the Black Sea in East. The low

altitude of only 71 m and the Southern geographical location, 44 North latitude, allows the

cultivation of grapevine even on the slopes with Northern exposure. With an average

vegetation period of 196 days, the area is ideal for all white and red varieties, of which

especially those for high-quality wines are cultivated. The limiting factor is the low rainfall,

but this can be compensated by irrigation.

7. Wine region Terasele Dunarii (Danube Terraces): It stretches like a ribbon along the

lower banks of the Danube, along the Bulgarian border. The vegetation period here is the

longest, that is 202 days. For this reason, table grapes are also grown successfully. Because of

the low altitude (average of 72 m) winter frosts as low as -27C are possible.

8. Wine region Nisipurile i zonele favorabile din Sudul rii (Sands and other Favourable Lands of the South of the country): It is located in the central area of the Romanian (Baragan)

plain and has climatic conditions similar to region 7. The significant difference consists in the

soil, here represented predominantly by deep sand soils, which require special cultivation

techniques of viticulture. The vegetation period is 198 days.

The approved denomination of controlled origin (DOC) and geographical indications (GI) in

Romania, as well as the major grape varieties cultivated in each region are shown in Tab. 2.

For a better understanding, a map of the vineyards where wines with DOC can be produced is

also included (Fig. 2).

Table 2. Wine regions and approved denominations of controlled origin (DOC) and

geographical indications (GI) in Romania (MADR Orders 397/2003; 732/2005 and later modifications)

Wine region

Geographical

indications (GI)

and sub-indications

Controlled denominations

of origin (DOC) and sub-

denominations

Major cultivated varieties

1. Podiul Transilvaniei Transylvanian plateau

Dealurile Transilvaniei Trnave (Blaj, Jidvei,

Media), Alba Iulia, Sebe-Apold, Aiud, Lechina

White: Feteasc regal, Feteasc alb, Riesling italian, Sauvignon blanc, Muscat Ottonel, Traminer

2. Dealurile Moldovei

Hills of Moldova

Dealurile Moldovei

(Dealurile Hrlului, Iailor, Huilor, Tutovei, Covurluiului, Siretului),

Dealurile Vrancei

Cotnari, Iai (Copou, Bucium, Uricani), Bohotin,

Hui (Vutcani), Iana, Dealu Bujorului, Nicoreti, Panciu, Odobeti, Coteti

White: Feteasc regal, Aligot, Feteasc alb, Riesling italian, Gras, Francu, Galben, Busuioac, Tmioas rom-neasc, Sauvignon blanc, Muscat Ottonel; Red: Cabernet Sauvignon,

Merlot, Bbeasc neagr

3. Dealurile Olteniei i Munteniei

Hills of Vallachia and

Oltenia

Dealurile Munteniei,

Dealurile Olteniei

Cernteti-Podgoria, Dealu Mare (Boldeti, Valea Clugreasc, Urlai, Ceptura, Tohani, Breaza,

Merei, Zoreti), Pietroasa, tefneti (Costeti), Smbureti, Drgani, Banu Mrcine, Segarcea, Mehedini (Severin, Corcova, Dealurile Drncei,

Vnju Mare, Orevia)

White: Pinot blanc, Feteasc alb, Riesling italian, Pinot gris,

Galben de Odobeti, Muscat Ottonel

Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot,

Burgund mare, Feteasc neagr, Bbeasc neagr

4. Dealurile Banatului

Hills of Banat

Viile Caraului, Viile Timiului

Reca, Banat (Moldova Nou, Dealurile Tirolului, Silagiu)

White: Feteasc alb, Feteasc regal, Riesling italian, Sauvignon blanc, Majarca ; Red: Burgund

mare, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot,

Pinot noir, Cadarca

5. Dealurile Crianei i Maramureului Hills of Crisana and

Maramures

Dealurile Zarandului,

Dealurile Crianei, Dealurile Stmarului

Mini, Criana (Diosig, Biharia, imleul Silvaniei)

White: Riesling italian, Feteasc regal, Feteasc alb, Furmint, Pinot gris, Tmioas de Mderat, Iordan, Muscat Ottonel Red: Cabernet Sauvignon,Pinot

noir, Cadarca, Merlot, Burgund

mare

6. Colinele Dobrogei

Hills of Dobrogea

Colinele Dobrogei Murfatlar (Medgidia,

Cernavod), Babadag, Sarica Niculiel (Tulcea)

White: Pinot gris, Chardonay,

Muscat Ottonel, Riesling italian,

Sauvignon blanc, Aligot, Feteasc alb, Feteasc regal Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot

noir, Merlot, Sangiovese

7. Terasele Dunarii

Danube Terraces

Terasele Dunrii Oltina White: Feteasc alb, Feteasc regal, Riesling italian, Pinot gris, Cardonnay, Sauvignon blanc,

Columna; Red: Cabernet

Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot noir,

Burgund mare; Table grapes.

:Afuz Ali, Cardinal, Italia, Victoria

8. Nisipurile din Sudul

rii Sands and other

Favourable Lands of the

South of the country

- - White: Feteasc regal, Aligot, Riesling italian, Sauvignon blanc,

Bbeasc gri; Red: Bbeasc neagr, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese; Table

grapes.:Afuz Ali, Victoria, Otilia,

Istria, Muscat dAdda

Fig. 2. Romanian wine denominations of controlled origin. (ONVPV, 2011)

Romanian Vineyards and viticultural potential

During the first 15 years after the collapse of the communist system in December 1989 the

vineyards of Romania have experienced a steady decline. While in 1995 a total of about

250,000 hectares planted with vines was recorded, currently, as communicated by ONVPV to

the Commission on March 2013, only 183,170 ha are cultivated (Tab. 3). To these, 13,901 ha

various planting rights (Tab. 3) should be added. Thus, the total vineyard area of Romania,

after the accession to EU, was limited to just under 200,000 ha.

To these surfaces approximately 11,000 ha of table grapes (as of 2008) should be added,

mostly located in the Southern wine regions of the country.

Currently, the major problem of the Romanian viticulture continues to be the presence of

some significant surfaces planted with interspecific varieties, not allowed for the production

of quality wines produced in specified regions (report COM/2003/0838 and CEE No

479/2008). The interspecific varieties cover an area of 83,800 ha, which, accounts for more

than 42.5% of the total vineyard area. These surfaces are present only in very few cases are in

the traditional vine growing areas, usually being located outside the quality wine production

areas. They are found mainly in the Southern districts and the wines produced here are

destined for personal consumption of the producers families or for wines without DOC or GI, as the current legislation allows the use of interspecific varieties only for producing wines

without DOC or GI, while quality wines psr can be made exclusively from Vitis vinifera

varieties.

The presence of such a large surface of interspecific vine varieties lead to the present

situation in which about 74% of the total grapevine plantations produce wines without DOC

or GI, and only 26% provide DOC or GI wines (Tab. 3 and 4).

Table 3. Surface dedicated to vine culture in Romania between 2009-2012 (data reported by ONVPV on March 1

st of each year; the data communicated in the inventory, according to

Article 109 of Regulation (EC) No 479/2008, refer to 31 July of the previous wine year)

Planted vineyards and

planting rights

Year

Surface (ha) 2009-2012 and proportion in 2012(%)

DOC GI Without

DOC or GI Total

Planted vineyards

2009 24089.4 15129.5 142123.9 181342.8

2011 25967.5 15667.9 139926.4 181561.8

2012 28385.8 18551.6 136232.2 183169.6

% in 2012 15.5 10.1 74.4 100.0

Planting rights allotted to

producers, but not used yet

2009 * * * 2662.51

2011 3212.4 803.1 0 4015.45

2012 2501.1 625.3 0 3126.4

% in 2012 80.0 20.0 0.0 100.0

Replanting rights owned by

producers

2009 939.5 475.2 5435.7 6850.4

2011 916.1 435.74 6221.8 7573.6

2012 1175.3 812.8 6809.4 8798.4

% in 2012 13.4 9.2 77.4 100.0

Planting rights in reserve

2009 892.0 450.9 5163.9 6506.9

2011 892.0 450.9 2852.7 4195.7

2012 882.3 882.3 213.3 1977.9

% in 2012 44.6 44.6 10.8 100.0

Total of the production

potential

2009 * * * 197362.7

2011 30988.0 17357.6 149000.9 197346.5

2012 32944.5 20872.0 143254.8 197071.3

% in 2012 16.7 10.6 72.7 100.0

The wine classification in Romania has followed the French model of Appellation d'Origine

Contrle (AOC), which here is called Denomination of Controlled Origin or, in short, DOC.

A wine produced in a designated viticultural region (as presented above) is authorized to be

included in a Geographical Indication category. Within this category, the most representative

areas can lead to the production of typical wines, which can be granted a Denomination of

Controlled Origin label.

In 2012 the vineyards producing wines with Denomination of Controlled Origin covered an

area of only 28,386 ha (Tab. 4), which is a constant slight increase from previous years. This

is around 16% of the total vineyard area and does not include planting rights.

The second category is the wines with Geographical Indication. These are made from grapevines grown on 18,552 ha, representing about 10% of the total vineyard area. The rest of

136.232 hectares, equivalent to 74% of the total, are vineyards (including the interspecific

varieties) which are dedicated to the production of wines without Denomination of Controlled Origin or Geographical Indication.

The distribution of the DOC wines is region-dependent. We can see from Tab. 5 that in 3

wine regions (Transylvanian plateau, Hills of Banat and Hills of Dobrogea) about half of the

vineyards are registered for the production of DOC wines, while in other 3 wine regions (Hills

of Crisana and Maramures, Danube Terraces, Sands and other Favourable Lands of the South

of the country) most of the vineyards are without DOC and GI. This distribution is not always

related to the production potential and microclimate, but also varies with the degree of

investment in modern technologies.

Table 4. Distribution of vine surfaces in the Romanian wine regions in 2009-2012 (data reported by ONVPV on March 1

st of each year; the data communicated in the inventory, according to

Article 109 of Regulation (EC) No 479/2008, refer to 31 July of the previous wine year)

Region Year

Surface (ha)

DOC GI Without

DOC or GI Total

1. Transylvanian plateau

2009 2780.3 40.9 3529.7 6350.9

2011 2991.0 27.2 3422.1 6440.3

2012 3408.9 68.5 3319.3 6796.7

2. Hills of Moldova

2009 6092.0 10656.9 53522.1 70271.1

2011 6493.8 10805.8 52687.0 69986.5

2012 6703.6 11323.3 51107.2 69134.0

3. Hills of Vallachia and

Oltenia

2009 5798.5 1306.7 45915.3 53020.4

2011 6354.9 1342.9 45201.2 52899.0

2012 7312.4 2021.4 44117.2 53450.9

4. Hills of Banat

2009 1040.9 108.2 1519.9 2669.0

2011 1275.2 108.2 1422.2 2805.6

2012 1520.5 90.0 1317.8 2928.4

5. Hills of Crisana and

Maramures

2009 309.1 31.5 7355.8 7696.5

2011 334.0 31.7 7272.8 7638.5

2012 1496.7 268.5 7335.2 9100.4

6. Hills of Dobrogea

2009 8038.1 2525.6 6644.7 17208.4

2011 8514.7 2594.9 6273.9 17383.4

2012 7943.7 3944.9 5676.1 17564.8

7. Danube Terraces

2009 30.5 255.5 10764.7 11050.7

2011 0.0 380.3 10704.1 11084.4

2012 0.0 326.3 10907.7 11233.9

8. Sands and other

Favourable Lands of the

South of the country

2009 0.0 204.3 12871.7 13076.0

2011 4.0 377.0 12943.0 13324.0

2012 0.0 508.7 12451.7 12960.4

TOTAL

2009 24089.4 15129.5 142123.9 181342.8

2011 25967.5 15667.9 139926.4 181561.8

2012 28385.8 18551.6 136232.2 183169.6

Proportion (%)

2009 13.3 8.3 78.4 100.0

2011 14.3 8.6 77.1 100.0

2012 15.5 10.1 74.4 100.0

Table 5. Proportion of the DOC registered surfaces in each of the wine regions in 2012 (data reported by ONVPV on March 1

st, 2013 and referring to 31 July of 2012)

Wine region

Proportion (%) of:

DOC GI Wines without

DOC or GI Total

1. Transylvanian plateau 50.2 1.0 48.8 100.0

2. Hills of Moldova 9.7 16.4 73.9 100.0

3. Hills of Vallachia and Oltenia 13.7 3.8 82.5 100.0

4. Hills of Banat 51.9 3.1 45.0 100.0

5. Hills of Crisana and Maramures 16.4 3.0 80.6

100.0

6. Hills of Dobrogea 45.2 22.5 32.3 100.0

7. Danube Terraces 0.0 2.9 97.1 100.0

8. Sands and other Favourable Lands of

the South of the country 0.0 3.9 96.1 100.0

Total 15.5 10.1 74.4 100.0

This situation is not entirely in accordance with the real potential of Romanian vineyards,

which, with better management and investment, could easily satisfy the conditions for the

granting of DOC and GI rights on a much larger area. So we could argue that this ratio of

74% to 26% in favor of vineyards with no DOC and no GI, when vineyard surfaces are considered, is far from ideal and far from what can be attained. However, as will be shown

below, when we change the focus from vineyard surfaces to wine production, the ratio is even

more unbalanced.

The Romanian wines with DOC and GI labels meet all international standards applicable to

these categories and many are classified in the premium class. These wines are mainly

produced by large or medium size companies, which are already renowned by participating

regularly in wine fairs and contests worldwide. The rest of the wines produced here are simple

wines without GI or DOC, of which some are sold on the organized market, while others are

destined for the consumption of the producers and their families.

An interesting phenomenon observed in recent years is a tendency of the large and medium

producers to shun the DOC category. Although they fulfill all the conditions needed to make

and classify their wines in the DOC category, they prefer to avoid the Denomination of

Controlled Origin system, in order to escape paying the taxes which are due for DOC wines,

and turn the grapes from DOC-authorized plantations into GI wines. As a result, although the

quality parameters would allow their classification under the DOC system, many wines end

up with just a Geographical Indication, for which taxes are not yet enforced and the control is

more lenient.

Due to this situation, as seen in Tab. 6 for the year 2011, the total surface of vineyards for

which DOC authorizations were requested from ONDOV, in order to actually produce and

market DOC wines, is significantly lower than the total surface of vineyards which had been

registered as DOC plantations.

Table 6. Surfaces registered as DOC vineyards and

surfaces actually used for DOC wine production in 2011

Wine region Surface registered

as DOC

Surface out of which DOC

wines were produced

(ha) (ha) (%)

1. Transylvanian plateau 2991 2329 77.9

2. Hills of Moldova 6493.8 2455 37.8

3. Hills of Vallachia and Oltenia 6354.9 2382 37.5

4. Hills of Banat 1275.2 321 25.2

5. Hills of Crisana and Maramures 334 12 3.6

6. Hills of Dobrogea 8514.7 3865 45.4

7. Danube Terraces 0.0 0 0.0

8. Sands and other Favourable Lands

of the south of the country 4.0 4.0 100.0

TOTAL 25967.6 11368 43.8

As it can be seen from Tab. 6, more than 56% of the vineyards with DOC potential were not

used for this purpose in 2011 alone, and that was due not to quality reasons but mostly to

financial constraints. This trend started in 2007, which was the last year when the DOC

registered plantations matched the authorizations requested for DOC wine production.

Afterwards, the DOC authorizations for wine decreased constantly, leading to the value

recorded in 2011 of only 43.8% of the total DOC registered surface (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3. Authorizations issued between 2007-2011 for the production of DOC wines.

There are other reasons too for the shifting from DOC toward GI wines.

One is the possibility to apply higher yields in the vineyard, yields which are allowed in

case of the production of GI wines.

The other, more obvious, reason is the production of wines from varieties newly planted and

not (yet) authorized for the DOC production in a specific region. Many producers started to

experiment and extend their plantations by introducing new international varieties, such as

Syrah, Viognier, Rhine Riesling or Dornfelder. Others planted the most famous Romanian

variety Feteasca neagr irrespective of the existence of a tradition for it in that particular region. It will take some time until these vineyards qualify for the DOC and GI categories.

The situation on the market is bound to change starting this year (2013), due to new

legislation passed (Ministry Orders No. 163 and 165 of 2012 and later modifications), according to

which the Geographical Indication wines will also be taxed and controlled by the same

organization as the one controlling DOC wines (ONVPV). This new regulation may persuade

some producers to shift back and apply again for DOC authorization, aiming to benefit from

the better image that these quality wines enjoy.

However, on an even longer term, another regulatory change is on the way: the permission

to label wines without GI or DOC with the name of the variety (which is not yet allowed in

Romania, even though it is legal in some other Member States). Will the producers remain

faithful to the DOC and GI system and pay a tax to have their wines carry DOC and GI

labels? Or will the trend named above continue one step further, and we shall see

authorizations for DOC and GI wines dwindle even more, in favor of a larger proportion of

simple wines without DOC and GI, but which are not extra-taxed and which can carry on the

label the name of the variety? The latter possibility is not at all unimaginable on the

Romanian market, where the typical consumer does not always understand or even care much

about DOC and/or GI, but usually puts significant weight on the importance of the variety.

Vine varieties and varietal wines

Romania has some native grape varieties of greater or lesser importance and with a wider or

lower dissemination. Out of these varieties both ordinary and quality wines are produced, but

their reputation abroad is usually low.

Among the most famous white wine varieties, which combine a remarkable quality potential

and notoriety, are included Feteasca Alb, Feteasca Regal and Crmpoie varieties (Tab 7).

21260

17996

15490

11555 11368

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

Su

rface (

ha)

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Vintage year

Authorizations issued for DOC wine production

The muscat-like aroma varieties include Tmioasa Romneasc and Busuioaca de Bohotin. The red most known autochtonous varieties are Feteasca Neagr, Babeasca Neagr and Roioara.

The second group of varieties, cultivated at least since the beginning of the 20th century

(post-phylloxera-time) and largely extended at present, consists of international varieties.

White wine grapes such as Welsch Riesling, Aligot, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat Ottonel

are well known and appreciated. Among the international red varieties mainly Merlot and

Cabernet Sauvignon are the most represented (Tab. 7).

Table 7. Surfaces cultivated with the main grape varieties and their evolution from 2009 to 2012

Variety Surface cultivated (ha)

Proportion of the total vine surface

(%)

2009 2011 2012 2009 2011 2012

White varieties

Feteasca regal 13391.4 13300.7 12899.06 7.4 7.3 7.0

Feteasca alb 13250.2 13026.6 12595.86 7.3 7.2 6.9

Riesling 7451.7 7550.6 7652.33 4.1 4.2 4.2

Aligot 7129.9 6915.1 6208.34 3.9 3.8 3.4

Sauvignon 4138.2 4572.6 5461.86 2.3 2.5 3.0

Muscat Ottonel 3655.4 3767.1 4346.76 2.0 2.1 2.4

Total main white 49016.8 49132.5 49164.2 27.0 27.0 26.8

Red varieties

Merlot 11563.7 11650.9 11630.94 6.4 6.4 6.3

Cabernet Sauvignon 4069.9 4268.3 5307.85 2.2 2.4 2.9

Babeasca Neagr 3184.9 3079.9 2724.38 1.8 1.7 1.5

Roioara 2902.3 2898.8 2852.09 1.6 1.6 1.6

Feteasca Neagr 1738.6 2037.4 2488.76 1.0 1.1 1.4

Total main red 23459.3 23935.4 25004.0 13.0 13.2 13.7

Other varieties

Other white and red

varieties 108866.7 108493.9 109001.4 60.0 59.8 59.5

TOTAL 181342.8 181561.8 183169.6 100.0 100.0 100.0

However, for the quality wines with Denomination of Controlled Origin, many other

varieties cultivated on smaller surfaces are used (Tab. 8). In this category falls the

Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer, Rhine Riesling, Viognier for whites and Pinot

noir, Syrah, Cadarca and Cabernet franc for reds. Some of these varieties are newly

introduced to Romania and have already proven they are suitable for the quality wine

production.

A third group of varieties are the Romanian new breeds. They are quite numerous and

include both white and red varieties and table grape varieties. Among the new varieties

cultivated for quality wines (Tab. 8) we can mention arba and Columna for white wines and Negru de Drgani and Novac for reds.

As we see, the assortment of the vine varieties cultivated is a major contributor to the low

proportion of DOC and GI wines produced, because the surfaces cultivated with varieties with

recognized potential for quality wines are still low, compared to the proportion found in other

countries famous for their wine production.

Table 8. Surfaces and varieties used for DOC wine production in 2010 and 2011

Variety

2010 2011

Surface used for

DOC wines (ha)

% of the total

DOC wines

Surface used for

DOC wines (ha)

% of the total

DOC wines

White wines

Sauvignon blanc 1160.1 10.0 1103.5 9.7

Feteasca regal 1001.2 8.7 1048.7 9.2

Riesling Italian 1075.8 9.3 941.4 8.3

Feteasca alb 573.9 5.0 607.0 5.3

Chardonnay 579.9 5.0 582.0 5.1

Pinot Gris 558.8 4.8 529.9 4.7

Grasa 360.2 3.1 369.9 3.3

Aligote 366.3 3.2 246.6 2.2

Frncua 284.2 2.5 261.6 2.3

Traminer 203.4 1.8 245.9 2.2

Rhein Riesling 34.3 0.3 108.2 1.0

Crmpoie 74.7 0.6 78.5 0.7

arba 54.5 0.5 24.8 0.2

Zghihara 26.1 0.2 23.9 0.2

Viognier 11.1 0.1 11.3 0.1

Neuburger 8.7 0.1 10.3 0.1

Columna 8.0 0.1 8.0 0.1

Mustoasa 2.8 0.0 8.3 0.1

Galbena 1.2 0.0 2.5 0.0

Iordana 0.0 0.0 5.1 0.0

Furmint 1.8 0.0 3.3 0.0

Plvaie 0.0 0.0 0.8 0.0

Total white DOC wines 6386.9 55.3 6221.3 54.7

Aromatic wines

Muscat Ottonel 835.6 7.2 915.1 8.0

Tmioas romneasc 354.9 3.1 500.2 4.4

Busuioac 7.8 0.1 55.0 0.5

Tmioas roz 0.0 0.0 12.8 0.1

Total aromatic DOC wines 1198.2 10.4 1483.2 13.0

Red wines

Merlot 1540.0 13.3 1074.1 9.4

Cabernet Sauvignon 1109.2 9.6 1202.1 10.6

Feteasca neagr 502.0 4.3 679.9 6.0

Pinot noir 471.3 4.1 465.1 4.1

Babeasca neagr 78.9 0.7 64.2 0.6

Burgund 61.8 0.5 54.5 0.5

Syrah 40.5 0.4 45.8 0.4

Cabernet franc 0.0 0.0 7.0 0.1

Cadarca 8.0 0.1 5.8 0.1

Marcelan 5.0 0.0 10.0 0.1

Negru de Drgani 4.3 0.0 2.7 0.0

Novac 0.9 0.0 0.9 0.0

Zweigelt 11.0 0.1 0.0 0.0

Total red DOC wines 3832.8 33.2 3612.1 31.8

Sparkling DOC wines 137.5 1.2 51.2 0.5

Total DOC Wines 11555.5 11367.8

In spite of the investments recently made in new vineyards, the increase of the surfaces

covered with some of the internationally most recognized varieties was not significant. For

example, the surfaces covered with Sauvignon blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot slightly

decreased, in spite of the new plantings, because the old vineyards needed to be grubbed. The

surfaces of Sauvignon blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon decreased from about 5800 ha each in

1990 (Nmoloanu and Antoce, 2000) to 5500 ha and 5300 ha, respectively, in 2012, while the surfaces of Merlot decreased from about 11700 ha in 1990 to 11600 ha in 2012.

Moreover, the surfaces with Chardonnay, Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Rhine Riesling, Syrah and

so on are still under 2000 ha, being in this way reported as other white and red varieties in Tab. 7, even though their surfaces increased too during past years.

Also, as stated before, even the varieties that normally produce quality wines are, for

various reasons, not always turned into wines with DOC. For example in 2011 (Tab. 7 and 8),

of the 4573 ha of Sauvignon blanc only 1103.5 ha (24%) were turned into DOC wines, while

of the 11651 ha of Merlot and 4268 ha of Cabernet Sauvignon only 9% and 28%, respectively

were made and reported as DOC wines.

In spite of this situation, it is important to note that it is still possible to achieve an increase

of the surfaces occupied with varieties for quality wines, because Romania has many

vineyards with very favorable conditions which can support the obtaining of DOC wines, but

where under-performing varieties are planted. As soon as financial and management factors

converge, by replacing some of these less suitable varieties with varieties with a proven

record in the production of DOC wines we will witness an increase of the proportion of DOC

wines out of the total wine production of the country.

Another aspect which becomes apparent from Tab. 8 is that the balance within the DOC

category is still in favor of the white wines (about 55% of DOC wines are white, compared to

only about 32% red), which is another area where the Romanian market differs from others.

Yet, this ratio is better in the case of DOCs compared to the situation in the total wine production, where we have about 70% whites. So it can be said that Romanian consumers

demand a larger proportion of white wines, in general, but the situation is a little more

balanced when it comes to DOC wines, where the reds have been showing some progress in

recent years.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of its background of tradition and favorable geographic and eco-climatic

conditions, Romanian viticulture and winemaking continue the process of modernization and

upgrading which began in 1989 and received new impetus in 2007 when Romania joined the

European Union. While the situation is far from ideal and there are still many remnants of the

old system to hinder the activity to a certain degree, the forces of free market and competition

coupled with private initiative appear to converge towards a trajectory characterized by

development and progress. At the same time it is interesting to observe how these factors

interact with the market and the consumers, but also with the regulating authorities.

BIBLIOGRAPHY *** Council Regulation (EC) No 479/2008 of 29 April 2008 on the common organization of the

market in wine, amending Regulations (EC) No 1493/1999, (EC) No 1782/2003, (EC) No 1290/2005,

(EC) No 3/2008 and repealing Regulations (EEC) No 2392/86 and (EC) No 1493/1999, http://eur-

lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:2008R0479:20090207:EN:PDF retrieved

on July 7th, 2012.

*** Document 52003DC0838, Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the

Council on the use of interspecific vine varieties suitable for the production of quality wines produced

in specified regions /* COM/2003/0838 final */, http://eur-

lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:52003DC0838:EN:HTML retrieved on March

2013.

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, 2012 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural

Development regarding the approval of the tehnical norms for the production of wines with

Geographical Indication, published in Official Gazette No. 582 of 14 August 2012.

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, 2012 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural

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2012.

*** Ministry Order No. 225 of 31 March 2006 regarding the approval of the zoning of the noble

grapevine varieties approved for cultivation in Romanian viticultural regions, issued by the Ministry of

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2006.

*** Ministry Order No. 397 of June 12, 2003 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural

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*** Ministry Order No. 645 of 2005 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural

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viticultural zones of European Union and of the conditions for applying the corrections of alcoholic

strength and acidity to the wine grapes in various stages of processing, published in Official Gazette

No. 679 of 28 July 2005.

*** Ministry Order No. 732 of August 2nd

, 2005 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural

Development regarding the approval of the lists with the Denomination of Controlled Origin (DOC)

for still wines and for sparkling wines approved for the use in Romania, of the lists with the

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*** National Office of Vine and Wine Products (ONVPV), http://www.onvopv.ro/;

*** ONVPV communication to EU on March 2013, in accordance to Article 109 of Regulation

(EC) No 479/2008 and in Article 74 of Regulation (EC) No 555/2008.

*** Romanian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, 2008, http://www.mapam.ro;

***, 2012, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Viticulture and Enology,

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