Iași

• Grasă de Cotnari: signature white grape, producing opulent sweet wines with honeyed, dried apricot notes; late-harvest versions often benefit from noble rot, delivering remarkable depth and aging potential.
• Tămâioasă Românească: highly aromatic, reminiscent of Muscat; crafted into fragrant sweet and off-dry wines with floral, honey, and exotic spice nuances.
• Fetească Albă & Fetească Regală: traditional whites yielding dry or demi-sec wines; light to medium-bodied, with delicate floral aromas, orchard fruit, and vibrant acidity.
• Frâncușă: native white variety contributing freshness and lightness; wines are crisp, citrus-driven, and ideal for blends.
• Busuioacă de Bohotin: unique indigenous grape producing semi-sweet rosé or red wines; highly aromatic with notes of basil, rose petals, and red berries—local treasures with distinctive charm.
• Fetească Neagră: historic red grape yielding velvety, medium-bodied reds; flavors of juicy dark berries, plum, and spice, with smooth tannins and a lingering finish.
• International Whites (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Aligoté, Muscat Ottonel): offer a spectrum from crisp, apple-scented Aligoté and zesty Sauvignon Blanc to aromatic Muscat Ottonel and balanced, fruit-forward Chardonnay.
• International Reds (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz): supple, approachable reds with currant, plum, and soft spice; moderate structure and freshness due to the region’s cooler climate.
• Traditional Cotnari DOC Sweet White: golden, viscous wines—primarily from Grasă de Cotnari—renowned for rich sweetness, floral complexity, and exceptional aging capacity.
• Sparkling Wines: produced in traditional method from local grapes; lively and refreshing, with delicate fruit and floral notes.
• Rosé Wines: crafted mainly from Busuioacă de Bohotin or blends; semi-dry, expressive, with red berry, wildflower, and herbal tones.

Iași's terroir is defined by its diverse microclimates and unique soil composition, with the Central Moldavian and Suceava Plateaus offering terraced hills and fertile valleys. The loamy and chalky soils provide excellent drainage and mineral uptake, crucial for cultivating aromatic grape varieties like Grasă de Cotnari and Fetească Neagră. The climate, characterized by warm summers and cool winters, supports the region's viticulture by facilitating slow and even grape ripening. Significant diurnal temperature variations help preserve acidity and enhance flavor concentration, contributing to the wines' distinctive profiles. This climatic balance is particularly beneficial for developing the robust flavors and natural freshness found in Iași's celebrated wines, sustaining its reputation for producing both vibrant and age-worthy selections.

Iași, a historic wine region in northeast Romania, is making significant strides in sustainability to protect its rich winemaking heritage and environment. Winemakers here are reducing the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, opting instead for organic solutions that enhance biodiversity. This shift helps maintain the region’s fertile soils and clean groundwater, crucial for producing high-quality wines. Water conservation is also paramount, with many wineries employing drip-irrigation systems to manage water efficiently amid increasingly hot and dry summers. In their quest to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, several wineries have installed solar panels and improved insulation, demonstrating a commitment to renewable energy sources. Preserving native grape varieties like Grasă, Busuioacă, and Fetească is another vital aspect of Iași’s sustainability efforts, ensuring genetic diversity and cultural heritage remain intact. By collaborating with local research institutions, winemakers are innovating to adapt to climate change and improve vineyard resilience. These initiatives include experimenting with disease-resistant grape clones and using modern technology such as blockchain for supply tracking to enhance transparency and reduce waste. Economically, Iași’s wineries are increasingly seeking certifications for sustainable practices, attracting eco-conscious consumers and fostering global competitiveness. In essence, Iași marries traditional wisdom with modern technology, ensuring its winemaking industry thrives while safeguarding the land and cultural legacy.

Iași, located in the heart of Moldavia, Romania, offers a rich tapestry of wine tourism experiences that blend the traditional with the modern. The region is renowned for its historic wineries, like Cotnari and Hermeziu, which open their doors to visitors eager to explore the intricate process of winemaking. These visits often include tours through ancient cellars and tastings of local specialties such as Grasă de Cotnari and Fetească Neagră. The surrounding landscape, marked by terraced slopes and fertile valleys, provides not only a scenic backdrop but also plays a crucial role in the cultivation of the region’s distinctive grape varieties. The terroir, with its unique soil composition and favorable climate, helps produce wines with vibrant acidity and complex flavors, contributing to the area's esteemed reputation. Beyond the vineyards, Iași's wine tourism is enriched by an array of cultural and historical attractions. Visitors can embark on routes that combine wine tasting with stops at local monasteries, castles, and museums, offering a deeper connection to the area’s storied past. Seasonal events, such as the Cotnari Wine Festival, further highlight the region's vibrant wine culture, featuring traditional food, music, and dance. These festivals, along with guided tours and cycling routes through vineyard lanes, allow visitors to fully engage with the land and its traditions. With its commitment to sustainability and preservation of native grape varieties, Iași ensures a responsible and authentic wine tourism experience, inviting exploration of both its wines and its cultural heritage.

Iași County, located in the historic Moldavian lands of Romania, boasts a diverse selection of wineries that reflect both its rich winemaking heritage and modern innovations. Here are some of the noteworthy wineries in the region:

• Cotnari Winery: A flagship producer known for its sweet Grasă de Cotnari wines, Cotnari is a cornerstone of Romanian winemaking, with a history spanning over 2,000 years and a focus on both traditional and modern techniques.
• Agroindustriala Bucium (Crama Bucium): Nestled on the Bucium hills, this historic winery is cherished for its variety of affordable wines, including sparkling and brandy, with a legacy dating back to 1469.
• Gramma (Casa Olteanu): A boutique winery celebrated for its aromatic whites like Aligoté and Fetească Regală, Gramma emphasizes minimal intervention to highlight the local terroir, offering wines known as Vinul Conversației.
• Hermeziu Winery (Domeniile Lungu): An emerging name in Iași, Hermeziu is recognized for its diverse grape cultivation and award-winning wines, combining modern technology with traditional Moldavian hospitality.