Agriculture : The latest Wine Map of Romania featuring over 230 wineries

CrameRomania.ro, the first bilingual online database of Romanian wineries, a project supporting Romanian wine and wine tourism, has launched the seventh updated edition of the Wine Map of Romania, a handy and useful tool for all those who want to discover Romania as a wine destination.   The Wine Map of Romania project aims to identify distinct areas in Romania, the main wine categories, the geography of the country, and also to guide tourists in finding local wineries more easily. The map includes a list of local wineries, whether they are larger or smaller, and it does not intend to be a tourist guide but an educational tool through which wine lovers can explore the wineries and wine regions of Romania.   “Over the past 10 years, we have continued to strengthen our efforts in promoting Romania as a tourist destination for wine enthusiasts and beyond, as well as supporting local wine producers. This is now reflected in the new edition of the Wine Map of Romania. We have been among the first supporters of this enormous potential in this industry, which is beginning to be well-explored. Investments in wineries have significantly increased, and they are not limited to production but also include tasting spaces for visitors, which contribute to the development of wine tourism. At the same time, we are witnessing the a series of projects aimed at promoting Romanian wines, which are gaining more and more recognition and appreciation not only in the country but also abroad. Through our projects, CrameRomania.ro and ReVino.ro, and the events we organize, we promote Romanian wine as a true national brand. We believe that if we unite our efforts to harness this potential, we all stand to gain,” says Alina Iancu, the founder of CrameRomania.ro and ReVino.   Although the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) reported that wine production in France and Italy, two of the largest wine-producing countries in the EU, was significantly affected in 2023, Romania has managed to maintain its position as the sixth-largest wine producer in Europe, despite unfavorable weather conditions.   Romania recorded a production of 4.4 million hectoliters, a 15% increase compared to the previous year and 4% above the average of the last 5 years, thus solidifying its status as an important player in the European wine market.   On the other hand, the turnover of wine producers in Romania in 2022 showed a slight decrease compared to 2021, reaching approximately RON 2.1 billion.   “On average, between 4 and 5 new wineries are inaugurated annually in Romania, and most of them place a strong emphasis on wine tourism. This constant pace of development underscores the need to seriously address the current requirements of the business environment in this sector, especially the challenges that arise in such a business,” adds Alina Iancu.   The Wine Map of Romania focuses on wineries that offer wine tourism: out of the over 230 wineries on the map, over 80 of them open their doors to tourists, with 20 of them even offering accommodation, while for the rest, accommodation can be found nearby.   “We have noticed a significant increase in investments in wineries, which have included tasting rooms in the reconfiguration of their locations or have made significant improvements for a more authentic experience. Also, new vineyard projects are increasingly focused on integrating the tasting experience into their architectural design, not just the facilities necessary for grape processing, wine production, and storage. Furthermore, we can observe the emergence of ambitious accommodation projects in wine regions, which emphasize offering a complete and immersive experience for visitors. These developments highlight a growing commitment to creating a conducive environment for exploring and appreciating wine on a broader scale, thus becoming a significant element in the development of the wine industry,” explains Alina Iancu.   Additionally, many companies organize team-building events and meetings at wineries. This approach combines work sessions with relaxation activities and wine tasting sessions, and the trend of choosing wineries as venues for management meetings is on the rise, attracting companies from various cities looking to enjoy a different atmosphere. Market information shows that wine tourism is particularly popular on Fridays and Saturdays, but corporate events contribute to filling wineries even during the week, compensating for the absence of tourists.   The printed map also includes a guide to local grape varieties representative of Romania. This way, tourists will have the opportunity to learn about the history and characteristics of grape varieties such as Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Regala, Feteasca Neagra, Tamaioasa Romaneasca, Grasa de Cotnari, Cramposie Selectionata, Negru de Dragasani, Sarba, Busuioaca de Bohotin, or Babeasca Neagra.   The Wine Map of Romania has an annual print run of over 1500 copies and is available in Romanian and English. At the moment, the map is distributed in wine bars, specialized stores, and restaurants in Bucharest and the main cities in the country, to reach as many wine enthusiasts as possible.