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.
Benchmark products
Vintage assessments
| 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 |