History of Romanian sparkling wine

 

The history of sparkling wine in Romania is rich and fascinating, starting with the first productions in the 19th century and evolving towards a sophisticated segment in the Romanian wine industry. In this article, we will explore the origins, evolution and current state of Romanian sparkling wine, trying to highlight its importance in the country’s culture and economy.

The Origins of Romanian Sparkling Wine

Romanian sparkling wine has its roots in 1841, when the agronomist and economist Ion Ionescu from Brad produced the first Romanian champagne in Moldova, inspired by his studies in France and by the order of ruler Mihail Sturdza. This moment places Moldova as the fourth country worldwide to produce champagne through natural fermentation in the bottle.

 

Evolution and Expansion

At the end of the 19th century and in the first part of the 20th century, sparkling wine became popular among Romanian townspeople. In 1892, Wilhelm Rhein inaugurated the Rhein cellars in Azuga, with grapes from the Dealu Mare wine region, and in 1912, Wilhelm Mott opened a sparkling wine factory in Bucharest, which eventually became a prestigious European brand: Mott&amp Son.

 

Important Contributions and Innovations

In 1934, in the context of the lifting of prohibition in the United States of America, Mott & Fils opened a branch in New York, exporting significant quantities of wine and sparkling wine. In the same period, MOTT became a supplier to the Royal House of Romania and the Romanian Naval Society, becoming a symbol of quality and luxury in interwar Bucharest.

 

Nationalization and Postwar Evolution

In 1948, the production capacities of Mott & Fils, together with those of other producers, were nationalized under the name ZAREA, becoming the most important sparkling wine producer in the country. ZAREA preserved the traditional method of sparkling wine production and became a landmark in the Romanian wine industry.

 

Modernization and Diversification

In 2004, ZAREA entered into a partnership with Schloss Wachenheim, a world leader in the production of sparkling wine, redefining and modernizing its product portfolio. In 2016, ZAREA expanded its range of products, also entering the cider category.

 

Current trends of Romanian sparkling wine

Currently, the Romanian sparkling wine industry enjoys an increased diversity of labels and a growing popularity. The average age of sparkling wine consumers has decreased, indicating a trend towards younger preferences.

The Romanian sparkling wine industry has registered a significant growth and evolution in recent years, marking its presence on the global wine market. According to available data, in 2021, Romanian wine producers achieved a record net profit, exceeding the threshold of 125 million lei. This figure reflects a sustainable growth and increased interest in Romanian wines, including sparkling ones.

An important aspect to mention is that the first 10 wine producers in Romania generated a cumulative turnover of almost 1.2 billion lei in the same year, representing 56% of the wine market. This statistic underlines the dominance of a relatively small number of major players in the Romanian wine industry.

Wine consumption in Romania increased significantly after the pandemic, registering an increase of approximately 12% with the reopening of restaurants and the resumption of events. It is estimated that a Romanian consumed, on average, 23.7 liters of wine in 2021, 2.6 liters more than the previous year. This indicates a growing preference for wine, including sparkling wine, among Romanian consumers.

Specifically for the sparkling wine segment, the data show that in 2018, Romania produced over 2.9 million liters of sparkling wine, although this number was down compared to the previous year. Despite this decrease in production, the consumption of sparkling wine in Romania remained significant, with over 9 million bottles consumed annually. It is interesting to note that a significant proportion of this consumption takes place during the winter holidays, with more than a quarter of the bottles of sparkling wine and champagne consumed during this period.

Despite the increase in production and consumption, Romania still imports a larger amount of sparkling wine than it produces, indicating a market with even greater growth potential for local producers. In 2018, sparkling wine imports were over 4.2 million liters, while exports were only 190,000 liters.

In conclusion, the Romanian sparkling wine market shows a positive evolution, with an increase in interest both locally and internationally. This suggests a promising future for the Romanian sparkling wine industry, with opportunities for continuous growth and diversification.

Romanian sparkling wine has a long history and an impressive evolution, marking its place in the national culture and economy. From its humble origins to its status as the favorite festive drink, Romanian sparkling wine demonstrates quality and tradition, continuing to impress and develop on the global market.

Sources: Economedia, OurNet, Eisberg, Zarea