Cotnari

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The vineyards of the Cotnari appellation are situated mainly on Quaternary deluvial-colluvial deposits of the Cotnari Slope (Coasta Cotnarilor) and to a lesser extent on the alluvial deposits of floodplains, owing to climatic constraints.
• Sarmatian rocks, found in situ or only weakly pedogenised, serve as a direct viticultural substrate only on small areas within the Cotnari appellation.
• At the eastern edge of the appellation, saline deposits occur on which salinised and alkalised soils have formed.
• The climate of the appellation is divided into six microclimatic types, and the microclimate of well-exposed slopes accounts for more than 45% of the appellation's area, encompassing slopes with southern, south-eastern, and western aspects, gradients of 5–20°, and shelter from cold northerly and north-easterly winds.
• The interplay of rainfall, sunshine, and soil evapotranspiration within the shelter created by the Coasta Dealul Mare–Hârlău ridge, during long, dry, and intensely sunny autumns, brings about optimal ripening for varieties such as Grasă de Cotnari.

• Cotnari wines were prized by princes and boyars, and the Vlădoianu castle, built in 1901 by the boyar Vlădoianu, former governor of the National Bank of Romania, has become an emblem of the written story of Cotnari wine.
• Quality sparkling wines and aromatic-style wines are produced mainly from hand-harvested grapes of indigenous varieties such as Tămâioasă Românească, Fetească Albă, Frâncușă, and Busuioacă de Bohotin.

• Still wines are full-bodied, with characteristic floral or fruity aromas and variety-typical notes, owing to the long, dry autumns and the action of the noble rot specific to the area.
• Still wines show aromas of citrus, honey, acacia blossom, elderflower, and hints of vanilla or almond with short ageing.
• Quality sparkling wine initially displays a reductive character with hints of citrus, hay, and light autolytic notes, while the aromatic complexity brings green walnut kernel, busuioacă pear, honey, and raisins.
• Aromatic-style quality sparkling wines have intense and broad aromas with hints of basil, roses, and freshly cut hay, abundant mousse, and fine, persistent bubbles.
• Pétillant wines have fine effervescence, a yellow-green or rosé colour, a floral palate profile (basil, acacia, roses) or a fruity one (citrus, pear), and notes of bread crust.
• Wines with residual sugar obtained from grapes harvested with noble concentration of the berries develop towards naturally sweet wines suited to ageing, with actual alcoholic strength frequently exceeding 12% vol.
• Wines produced from varieties such as Grasă de Cotnari show aromas of honeycomb, honey, and raisins; they are deeply coloured, with amber hues developing with age.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

All appellations in Romania

Sources

• Specification (EUR-Lex, single document)
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-RO-A0135
• Official trade body site — Oficiul Național al Viei și Produselor Vitivinicole (ONVPV) — DOC Cotnari