Dobrogea Hills is a new wine region in Romania.
This is a new wine region, officially recognized in 2018. It is located in the south of the Black Sea coast and includes 24 villages with a total area of 5000 hectares. This new region has great potential because it is close to the Black Sea and has a Mediterranean influence which means that conditions are similar to those found in other parts of Europe such as Spain, France or Italy.
It is situated in the south of the Romanian Black Sea Coast, between Mangalia and Vama Veche, with 24 villages included.
of 5,000 hectares, of which 2,500 are vineyards. The region is located in the south of the Romanian Black Sea Coast, between Mangalia and Vama Veche, with 24 villages included.
It has a total area of 5,000 hectares, of which 2,500 hectares of vineyards.
This region occupies a total area of 5,000 hectares, of which 2,500 hectares of vineyards. This means that the proportion of the vineyard to the total area is 50%. This is an important aspect because this way you can quickly realize how large a particular wine region actually is in relation to its total area.
The main grape varieties are: Fetească Regală and Merlot for red wines and Chardonnay for white wines. The region has two subregions: Casimcea – Deleni (1,100 hectares) with Fetească Neagră, Fetească Regală and Merlot grapes; and Niculiţel (900 hectares) with Aligote and Chardonnay grapes.
The area enjoys moderate continental climate with Mediterranean influence from the Black Sea.
As the first wine region in Romania that benefits from Black Sea influence, this area enjoys a moderate continental climate with Mediterranean influence. The sea gives the vineyards a more temperate year-round climate. The proximity to the sea creates a microclimate that moderates temperature fluctuations and provides shelter to the vineyards in order to protect them against frost and ice damage.
The warm winds blowing from the Black Sea allow for long vegetative seasons, which is good news for those who grow white grapes like Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Regala and Tamaioasa Romaneasca as they need sufficient time to ripen properly.
Main grape varieties planted are traditional local varieties combined with international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, pinot noir, Sauvignon Blanc etc.
The main grape varieties planted are traditional local varieties combined with international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, pinot noir, Sauvignon Blanc etc.
The most common local varieties are Feteasca Neagra (the black maiden), Feteasca Regala (the royal maiden) and Busuioaca de Bohotin, all of them being red grapes.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are the most common international grape varieties planted here.
Topography is a mix of hills and plains along the coastline, gently sloping hills to the east and gently undulating to flat plain to the West.
Romania is not a country of hills. When you take into consideration its length, the distance between its mountain ridges and the flat river plains, it’s actually quite amazing that there are any mountains at all. Romania is actually one of few countries to have a very high quantity of hills and mountains. Why? Because they came from the European continent and were transported here in their entirety (there are a few smaller ones that were transported in pieces).
The Danube separates Romania from Bulgaria and Serbia, but if you cross the river, you’ll find yourself right in Dobrogea. Dobrogea Hill region is about 100km long along the coast and about 25km wide throughout its territory, with an average altitude of 800m above sea level. The whole region is divided into three areas: northern coastal plain, central slopes of Dobrogea Hills (about two-thirds) and western slopes of Dobrogea Hills (the rest). The soil elevation ranges from 400m at the lower part of the coastal plain up to 700m at central part through 500m to 700m at west coast..
The name of the wine region was inspired by Dobrogea Plateau (Romanian platform) and it terroir is unique because it includes elements from both Carpathian mountains and continental plain.
The name of the wine region was inspired by Dobrogea Plateau (Romanian platform) and its terroir is unique because it includes elements from both Carpathian mountains and continental plain. The wines produced in this region are surprisingly complex, but still approachable for novices.
Some of the villages have been producing wines since Roman times like Murfatlar or Basarabi (wine capital), or medieval times like Niculitel.
The small village of Murfatlar is considered the wine capital of Dobrogea Hills and much of Romania, with a history going as far back as the Roman times. The Basarabi neighborhood in Constanta, while not an official “village”, has been producing wines since Roman times (it was named after the Roman emperor Traianus Basarab). Niculitel is also one of the oldest villages in Dobrogea Hills, known for its wines since medieval times.
Although it is small, this region gives us hope that Romania will produce more fine wines in the future
Although it is small, this region gives us hope that Romania will produce more fine wines in the future.
If you are interested in visiting, there are a few interesting wineries that welcome visitors, such as Feneattia and Alira. During your visit you should be able to taste some fine wines made from international varieties such as Merlot and Pinot Gris.
It’s also possible to find good quality wines in larger supermarkets or specialist wine shops.