Cotnari

• Grasă de Cotnari: Luxurious dessert wines with deep-gold hues, offering flavors of honey, apricot, candied citrus, and raisin, often touched by noble rot.
• Tămâioasă Românească: Highly aromatic wines reminiscent of Muscat, with scents of white flowers, spices, and muscat honey, crafted in off-dry and sweet styles.
• Fetească Albă: Delicate, floral wines often used in lighter blends, sometimes enhanced with oak or skin contact for added texture.
• Fetească Neagră: Medium-bodied red or rosé wines featuring flavors of red cherry, plum, and pepper, adding variety to the region's predominantly sweet wine production.

In Cotnari, sweet and semi-sweet wines are the hallmark, with late-harvest grapes yielding rich, golden wines often compared to Tokaji, thanks to their honeyed apricot and quince aromas.

The Cotnari Hills offer a perfect setting for vineyards, sitting at 200 to 300 meters in elevation. These south-facing slopes soak up sunlight, creating ideal conditions for vine growth. The region's soil is a mix of limestone and clay-loess, which drains well and adds a hint of minerals to the wines. Cover crops are used to prevent erosion on these gentle slopes.

Cotnari has a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters, plus long, dry autumns that are great for late-ripening grapes. Morning fogs and warm afternoons foster the growth of noble rot, Botrytis cinerea. Summer temperatures often reach the mid-20s °C, and the temperature changes between day and night help keep acidity while sugars form. This balance produces wines with rich fruit flavors and a refreshing zest, capturing the sweet-wine aromas typical of Cotnari.

The Cotnari region, a historic gem in Romania's Moldavia, is famed for its exquisite sweet wines. Anchored in tradition, it hosts notable wineries that celebrate the area's rich heritage and unique terroir.

• Domeniile Cotnari: This winery is the region's historical core, managing 1,750 hectares. It excels in producing Grasă de Cotnari, a sweet DOC wine, using advanced stainless-steel cellars.
• Casa de Vinuri Cotnari: Known for its modern techniques, this estate offers premium wines and wine tourism experiences. It highlights local grape varieties and includes a restored castle for tastings.
• Other local estates: Smaller wineries dot the region, each adding to Cotnari's diversity. They focus on boutique cellars and unique visitor experiences.

Cotnari, with its sunlit limestone hills and rich viticultural tradition, embraces sustainability by adhering to Romanian and EU standards. Local growers practice integrated vineyard management, which helps reduce the need for heavy chemical use and supports moderate yields. They emphasize soil conservation through cover crops and grassed rows, preserving the unique landscape of the region.

Producers in Cotnari employ Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to minimize herbicide and pesticide usage. Investments in energy efficiency are evident with modern equipment and responsible wastewater management. Furthermore, a gradual shift towards lighter packaging reflects the region's commitment to resource conservation. Some adventurous growers are even exploring organic methods, ensuring that Cotnari's vineyards remain environmentally conscious while producing their renowned sweet wines.

Wine tourism in Cotnari offers a rich blend of history, culture, and viticulture, centered in Romania's Moldavia region. Visitors can step into the past with historic castle tastings at Casa de Vinuri Cotnari, indulging in wines amidst early 1900s architecture. The Domeniile Cotnari estate provides tours of their state-of-the-art fermentation and aging facilities, culminating in tastings of their renowned sweet wines.

• Regional Wine Routes: Explore Cotnari's wine routes from Iași, pairing tastings with visits to local markets and traditional dining experiences.
• Festivals and Events: Autumn brings vibrant wine fairs and harvest celebrations, offering scenic cycling and picnicking opportunities in vine-covered hills.

These activities highlight Cotnari's dedication to preserving its sweet wine heritage while showcasing the dynamic story of its landscapes and local culture.