Romania is the largest wine-growing country in Eastern Europe and, with over 200,000 hectares of vineyards, represents considerable potential, which, however, only now, in the 21st century, seems to have been properly discovered. Previously, a burgeoning wine culture and an accompanying quality policy stood in the way of political conditions. Romania, which can still derive its name from the Romans, is also one of the oldest countries in Europe to practice viticulture; vines are said to have stood here as long as 6,000 years ago. The wine growing areas are widely scattered throughout the country and offer not only different terroirs but also very different climatic conditions. Perhaps the two best wine growing areas - Delau Mare and Murfatler - lie within the Black Sea's sphere of influence, and thus have less of the continental conditions common to the rest of Romania - with hot summers and harsh, cold winters. Delau Mare is located northwest of Constantia and produces primarily red wines, especially Pinot Noir, in its mild climate. The quality of these red wines has improved noticeably in recent years and therefore promises much for the future. Murfatlar in the hinterland of the coastal town of Constantia also produces round, harmonious red wines in a warm, dry climate influenced by the Black Sea, but also some noble sweet dessert wines. In the Vltava region in the northeast of the country, on the other hand, mainly white wines grow, produced from Aligoté and Traminer. The proximity to the river also allows the formation of noble rot for the production of noble sweet wines. Transylvania, on the other hand, is located quite high, here one can speak of a cool climate, where mainly fresh white wines are produced, primarily from Traminer in different varieties from dry to sweet to sweet. Another remarkable region is Cotnari, again located on the Vltava River. Protected by surrounding mountain ranges, the area is warm, but humid in the autumn, so noble rot grapes are harvested only in November for the production of sweet wine.
