While it may rank 13th globally, Romania's wine industry is producing record volumes and gaining international acclaim, driven by historic regions like Dealu Mare and a new generation of winemakers.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Romania produced 4.2 million hectoliters of wine, ranking it 13th globally according to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV)
- Romanian wine production reached 5.1 million hectoliters in 2021, a 15% increase from the previous year due to favorable weather
- Dealu Mare region accounted for 25% of Romania's total wine production in 2023, producing over 1 million hectoliters
- Romania's total vineyard area spans 182,000 hectares as of 2023, making it the 6th largest in Europe
- Fetească Neagră occupies 12,000 hectares, the most planted red grape variety in Romania
- Over 70% of Romanian vineyards are in the southern and eastern regions, totaling 130,000 ha
- In 2022, Romania exported 28 million liters of bottled wine worth €45 million, primarily to Germany
- Germany imported 35% of Romania's wine exports in 2023, totaling €20 million
- UK wine imports from Romania grew 22% to 5 million liters in 2022 post-Brexit
- Romania imported 12 million liters of wine in 2022, mainly from France and Italy for blending
- French wine imports to Romania valued €15 million in 2023, 40% of total imports
- Italy supplied 25% of Romania's wine imports at 3 million liters in 2022
- Per capita wine consumption in Romania was 22.5 liters in 2022, up from 18 liters in 2018
- 45% of Romanians consume wine weekly, with urban areas at 60% in 2023 survey
- White wine accounts for 55% of domestic consumption at 2.8 million hl in 2022
Romania's wine industry is thriving with increasing production and growing international recognition.
Consumption
- Per capita wine consumption in Romania was 22.5 liters in 2022, up from 18 liters in 2018
- 45% of Romanians consume wine weekly, with urban areas at 60% in 2023 survey
- White wine accounts for 55% of domestic consumption at 2.8 million hl in 2022
- Home consumption of bulk wine is 70% of total, 15 million liters annually
- Millennials (25-40) represent 40% of premium wine buyers in 2023
- On-trade consumption (HoReCa) recovered to 25% of market in 2023 post-COVID
- Rosé consumption surged 35% to 1.5 million hl in 2022
- Bucharest market consumes 20% of national premium wines, 500,000 bottles/month
- Low-alcohol wines (<11% ABV) consumption grew 28% among women in 2023
- Total domestic market volume was 4.5 million hl in 2023
Consumption Interpretation
Romanians are clearly embracing their inner sommelier, with a notable thirst for premium, white, and now rosé wines, especially among the urban and younger crowds, though the heart of the tradition still beats strongly in the humble carafe of bulk wine poured at home.
Exports
- In 2022, Romania exported 28 million liters of bottled wine worth €45 million, primarily to Germany
- Germany imported 35% of Romania's wine exports in 2023, totaling €20 million
- UK wine imports from Romania grew 22% to 5 million liters in 2022 post-Brexit
- Bulk wine exports reached 15 million liters in 2021, valued at €12 million to Italy and Spain
- Fetească Albă exports increased 30% to 3.2 million liters in 2023
- USA imported €2.5 million worth of Romanian wines in 2022, mainly premium reds
- China market saw Romanian wine exports rise 45% to 1.8 million liters in 2023
- Sparkling wine exports totaled 4 million liters worth €6 million in 2022
- Organic wine exports grew to €3 million in 2023, targeting EU markets
- Total wine exports volume was 32 million liters in 2023, up 14% YoY
Exports Interpretation
Romania is quietly emerging as a savvy global vintner, with Germany acting as its steady bar tab, the UK and China thirstily ordering more rounds, and even the USA developing a taste for its finer bottles, proving that its wine story is increasingly being poured and appreciated far beyond its own cellars.
Imports
- Romania imported 12 million liters of wine in 2022, mainly from France and Italy for blending
- French wine imports to Romania valued €15 million in 2023, 40% of total imports
- Italy supplied 25% of Romania's wine imports at 3 million liters in 2022
- Premium import wines over €10/bottle grew 18% to 2.5 million liters in 2023
- Sparkling wine imports from Prosecco region hit 1.2 million liters worth €8 million in 2022
- Bulgaria provided 15% of bulk wine imports, 1.8 million liters in 2023
- Total import value reached €45 million in 2023, up 10% from 2022
- Organic wine imports doubled to 500,000 liters in 2022
- Chile emerged as a top importer with 800,000 liters of Cabernet Sauvignon in 2023
Imports Interpretation
Romanian winemakers are increasingly blending their own rich heritage with a taste for imported elegance, from French prestige to Italian sparkle, all while keeping a frugal eye on Bulgarian bulk and developing a surprising new fondness for Chilean character.
Industry Structure
- There are 450 wineries operating in Romania as of 2023, with 120 exporting
- Wine industry employs 45,000 people directly in 2022, contributing 0.5% to GDP
- 65% of production is controlled by top 20 producers in 2023
- Investments in enotourism reached €50 million in 2022 across 200 vineyards
- Women represent 35% of winemakers and oenologists in Romania 2023
- EU funding supported 300 ha of new vineyards planted in 2021-2023
- Average yield per hectare is 8,500 kg in Dealu Mare, highest in country
- 150 wine tourism estates host 500,000 visitors annually pre-2023
- Cooperative wineries number 50, managing 20% of vineyards
- R&D spending in wine sector was €10 million in 2022, focusing on climate resilience
Industry Structure Interpretation
Romania's wine scene is a potent mix of concentrated corporate clout and grassroots growth, where a few giants hold the keys to most of the cellar but a vibrant, diverse, and surprisingly tourism-savvy crowd of smaller vintners are uncorking the future, bottle by bottle.
Production
- In 2022, Romania produced 4.2 million hectoliters of wine, ranking it 13th globally according to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV)
- Romanian wine production reached 5.1 million hectoliters in 2021, a 15% increase from the previous year due to favorable weather
- Dealu Mare region accounted for 25% of Romania's total wine production in 2023, producing over 1 million hectoliters
- Sparkling wine production in Romania grew by 12% in 2022 to 250,000 hectoliters, driven by demand for Prosecco-style wines
- Organic wine production in Romania increased to 150,000 hectoliters in 2023, representing 3.5% of total output
- Cotnari winery produced 180,000 hectoliters of white wines in 2022, the highest among individual producers
- Red wine production constituted 45% of Romania's total in 2021 at 2.3 million hectoliters
- In 2020, drought reduced production by 20% to 3.8 million hectoliters nationwide
- Murfatlar region output was 850,000 hectoliters in 2023, focusing on sweet whites
- Premium wine production (over 12% ABV) rose 18% to 1.2 million hectoliters in 2022
Production Interpretation
Romanian wine is steadily climbing the global ranks, fueled by sunny vintages and a taste for the finer things, yet it remains an industry always one drought away from a sobering reminder of its rustic roots.
Quality Awards
- Romanian wines won 250 international awards in 2022, including 50 golds at Decanter
- 92/100 points average score for top Fetească Neagră at IWSC 2023
- Cotnari Grasă de Cotnari received 5 stars from Mundus Vini 2022
- Recaş Pinot Grigio named best white under €10 at IWC 2023
- 40% of premium wines score above 90 points on Vivino in 2023
- Dealu Mare Cabernet Sauvignon won Grand Gold at Vinalies 2022
- Organic certification held by 80 producers, with 15 golds at BioFach 2023
- Tamaioasă Românească ranked top aromatic white at AWC Vienna 2022
- Market trend shows 25% growth in natural wine sales 2020-2023
- 300 medals at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles for Romanian wines in 2023
Quality Awards Interpretation
Romanian wines are no longer sleeping giants but wide-awake virtuosos, collecting awards and high scores with such polite insistence that the world is finally taking out its wallet to listen.
Vineyards
- Romania's total vineyard area spans 182,000 hectares as of 2023, making it the 6th largest in Europe
- Fetească Neagră occupies 12,000 hectares, the most planted red grape variety in Romania
- Over 70% of Romanian vineyards are in the southern and eastern regions, totaling 130,000 ha
- Certified organic vineyards cover 5,200 hectares in 2023, up 25% from 2020
- Dealu Mare has 5,000 hectares of high-altitude vineyards at 200-400m elevation
- There are 1,200 independent wine growers managing 45,000 hectares collectively in 2022
- Pinot Noir covers 8,500 hectares, introduced widely post-1990s
- Cotnari region's 4,000 ha specialize in Grasă de Cotnari and Tamaioasă Românească
- Recaş domain manages 1,800 hectares of modern vineyards planted since 1990s
- Merlot represents 15% of red varieties with 18,000 ha planted nationwide
Vineyards Interpretation
Romania may be Europe’s sixth-largest vineyard landlord, but with a rebellious 70% of its vines sunning themselves in the south and east, an army of 1,200 independent growers running the show, and a noble dedication to both ancient varieties like Fetească Neagrā and modern organic trends, this is a wine industry firmly rooted in tradition yet deliciously restless for the future.
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