According to data collected by Wines of Romania, domestic wines have won over 500 medals in international competitions this year, with more than 300 being gold, double gold, or diamond. Romanian producers entered their wines and managed to impress judges in over 40 competitions across Europe, North America, and Asia.
Among the most awarded local producers this year are Budureasca, Jidveiand Vintruvian Group (Crama DeMatei / Caii de la Letea), each winning over 50 international medals. Girboiu Winery, Recas Wineries, Segarcea Crown Estate and Samburesti Estates each received over 25 medals. Other producers such as Viile Metamorfosis, Domeniul Bogdan, SERVE and Domeniile Averesti also made it to the global podiums this year.
"The image of Romanian wine is built step by step, and international competitions are a good way to attract the attention of experts and experienced players in the market. Medals are not just a recognition of quality but also an important tool that helps listing the wines on the markets of the country where the competition takes place, then becomes a selling point to the end consumer. The more producers from Romania participate in as many international competitions as possible, the sooner we will gain the recognition of the whole world as a wine producing country. Currently, we must admit that only a small part of wine lovers know that Romania is a producer, and even a top one," , says Marinela Ardelean, founder of the Wines of Romania platform, wine critic and also a juror in several international wine competitions.
Romania had a significant presence this year at Mundus Vini, the most important competition of its kind in Germany, where Romanian wines received a total of 78 medals in the two tasting sessions, including 56 gold medals and a great gold medal for Diamond Selection Feteasca Neagra Barrique from Domeniile Averesti. Furthermore, Rhein Riesling Finca Theresia 2018, from Vinum Partium (Carastelec), was awarded the Best of Riesling title. Other medals went to Crama Girboiu, Iconic Estate, SERVE, DeMatei Winery, Budureasca, Jidvei, Rasova Wine, Cramele Recas, Domeniile Alexandrion Rhein 1892, La Salina Winery, Carl Reh Winery, Domaine Vinarte, Viticola Corcova, Unicom Production, Via Viticola, Averesti Estates, Strunga Winery, Podgoria Silvania, Viti-Pomicola Samburesti and Domeniile Blaga.
At the largest wine competition in North America, Selections Mondiales des Vins, held in Canada, Romania won 24 medals, and two of the wines were included in the top 50 wines of the competition (out of a total of over 1,500), both produced by the Vintruvian group – Patima dupa Matei Feteasca Neagra and Epiphanie Feteasca Neagra, the latter being designated as the best Romanian wine in the competition.
Moreover, at the International Wine Challenge Bucharest / Vinarium, the most important competition of its kind in Romania, Romanian wines represented 59% of the 1,311 participating samples, and the number of medals obtained was 225, including 6 major gold medals. In total, 419 wines from 23 countries were awarded.
Another competition with remarkable results was Femmes et Vins du Mondean annual competition held in Monaco, where the jury is entirely composed of women specialized in oenology, technology, sommelier, wine journalism, or specialized trade, as is the case with the Sakura competition in Japan. Here, the Grand Prize and the highest score was awarded to Owner’s Choice Ana Sauvignon Blanc from Jidvei, with 93 points, and no less than eight wines received the highest distinction, Diamond Nova, out of a total of 17 such awards. IIn total, Romania won 19 awards at this competition, with medals going to wines produced by Jidvei, Navigo, and Domeniul Coroanei Segarcea.
Romania also made a good impression at Sakura Japan’s Women Wine Awards, winning 14 medals (a double gold and eight gold) for wines from Budureasca, Cramele Recas, Avincis, Vinarte, Domeniul Coroanei Segarcea, and Lacerta Winery. Lastly, at the International Wine Challenge, Romania won 23 medals for wines produced by Jidvei, Cramele Recas, and Alira, and the Concours Mondial du Bruxelles added another 28 medals to the tally, including 15 gold medals and two Grand Gold Medals.
About Wines of Romania
Wines of Romania is a 100% private project, strongly anchored in the sustainable development of the local and international success of Romanian wine. Founded by Marinela Ardelean, wine expert and co-organizer of the RO-WINE festival, the Wines of Romania platform represents a digital universe dedicated to local wines, wine lovers, buyers, producers and investors.
