Romania — wine

Cotnari

Romania's most historically celebrated wine region, in Moldavia in northeastern Romania. Cotnari has been producing prized white wines since at least the 15th century, including the legendary Grasa de Cotnari — a naturally sweet, botrytised white wine from the Grasa grape that was once the most coveted wine of the Polish royal court and was prized alongside Tokaji. The unique continental-oceanic microclimate promotes reliable Botrytis development, and the indigenous Grasa, Feteasca Alba, Tamaioasa Romaneasca, and Francusa grapes are found almost nowhere else.

Year Rating Notes
2023 Good Moldavian continental season; reliable Botrytis in Grasa; improving Cotnari quality
2022 Excellent Botrytis development; finest Grasa de Cotnari in recent years; age-worthy quality
2021 Variable year; dry conditions limited Botrytis but clean, fragrant dry styles emerged
2020 Good vintage; Grasa and Tamaioasa Romaneasca with typical floral sweetness
2019 Outstanding vintage for Romanian whites; Grasa de Cotnari of exceptional honeyed complexity