ROMANIAN WINES

I don’t know about you, but until fairly recently there was little talked about the wine of Romania. But actually, it is one of the world’s largest wine producers, ranking among the top ten globally by vineyard area and boasting over 6,000 years of winemaking history.

I’ve been on a discovery journey, and I have to say that I’m really impressed – not just by the quality, but by the excellent value for money.

About Romanian Wines

While historically it had prioritized quantity under communist rule, a modern renaissance driven by private investments has shifted focus towards quality and value for money. Today we can easily find Romanian wines in most major supermarkets, sometimes own-label and sometimes budget-friendly ranges produced by Cramele Recas, the major exporter.

Reds

Of the red grapes, Fetească Neagră (Black Maiden) is the flagship variety. It’s medium-to-full-bodied, with velvety tannins and deep flavours of black cherry, plum, blackberry, and warm baking spices. Oak ageing often adds rich tobacco and chocolate notes.

Negru de Drăgășani / Novac is a rare, complex grape that produces intense, structured, and deeply coloured reds akin to Bordeaux styles.

And Băbească Neagră is a lighter, high-acid, traditional red boasting elegant red fruit notes with a subtle hint of clove.

Whites

Of the white grapes the most widely planted native is the Fetească Regală (Royal Maiden). It creates crisp, fresh, and aromatic wines with notes of green apple, tropical fruit, and citrus.

The Fetească Albă (White Maiden) gives a more delicate, light, and elegant white wine. It is known for its floral bouquet, white peach notes, and clean finish.

Tămâioasă Românească (Romanian Muscatel) is a highly expressive, ancient aromatic variety, yielding luxurious semi-sweet or dry whites bursting with honey, basil, and rose petal aromas.

And Grasă de Cotnari is historically famous across European royal courts, producing rich, botrytised dessert wines with high natural acidity.

While Romania also produces excellent well known varieties like Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Chardonnay, the local, native grapes are worth checking out.

Here are some I’d recommend you try:

Sorcova Fetească Regală 2023, £9.00, Waitrose

Similar in taste to Chardonnay, Fetească Regală is one of Romania’s best-known grape varieties, with floral aromas and notes of dried fruit and almonds.

A perfect aperitif wine for drinking well chilled with good friends. Perfect with creamy pasta, seafood and even oriental dishes

Solomonar Reserve, £11.50 Majestic

A blend of Cabernet, Merlot and the indigenous Feteasca Neagra grape made by one of the country’s very best wineries.

It’s full-bodied and rich with notes of blackcurrant, plum, blueberry and vanilla. In 2022, this wine won an IWC award for the 2020 vintage.

M&S Found Fetească Albă 2025 (£8 M&S)

Expressive grapefruit and peach aromas followed by a fruit-packed palate of melon and apple, lifted by crisp, citrusy acidity.

Also available from Ocado.

Pinot Grigio Paparuda from Cramele Recas £8.49

Slightly more difficult to obtain perhaps as no supermarket listings, but worth tracking down is this Pinot Grigio Paparuda from Cramele Recas.

With lovely, opulent aromas of grapefruit and peach follow through to a lithe body, there’s loads of fruit as well as abundant melon and apple character and citrusy acidity.

£8.49 from Adnams

Palace of the Peacocks – Spar £8.49

Spar has raised the bar on its own-label wines with its Legends collection and this includes a lovely Romanian red, Palace of the Peacocks, a Pinot Noir that’s rich and full-flavoured, proving you don’t need to head to more expensive regions to enjoy this world-renowned grape variety from Romania.

Ideal with roast duck, lamb kebabs, mushroom risotto, or cheese fondue. £8.49 and worth seeking out.

Val Duna Romanian Merlot (£7.50) Tesco

This reveals an abundance of fruity notes, led by plum, blackberry, and luscious strawberry jam.

Smooth and semi-dry, it pairs effortlessly with roast pork with seasonal vegetables or a beef Bolognese, making it equally suited to relaxed occasions and more refined dining experiences.