Rural Romania. National Rural Development Network. Issue 33 Year II, july ION MARIAN The future of the Romanian winemaking sector sounds good

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1 Rural Romania National Rural Development Network Issue 33 Year II, july 2015 ION MARIAN The future of the Romanian winemaking sector sounds good THE NATIONAL WINEmaking PROGRAM Financing worth 47.7 million euros annually RDCVO PIETROASA Winemaking center under a university sponsorship DOMENIUL COROANEI SEGARCEA Business with a royal emblem RECAȘ WINE CELLARS The secret to success development with European funds ROOTS OF A EUROPEAN COUNTRY Ministerul Agriculturii și Dezvoltării Rurale

2 REGIONAL OFFICES Support Unit of the National Rural Development Network BRĂILA 282 Independenţei Blvd., 1 st floor, postal code , usr.sud.est@rndr.ro Phone: , Fax: CRAIOVA 19 Libertăţii St., Faculty of Agriculture and Horticulture, room L-311, 2 nd floor, postal code , usr.sud.vest.oltenia@rndr.ro Phone: , Fax: The text of this publication is for informational purposes only and does not imply any legal liability. Additional information on MARD and NSU may be accessed on the Internet: NSU, Department for Publications, July 2015 ISSN x ISSN-L x NRDN, 2015 ZALĂU 49 Kossuth Lajos St., postal code , usr.nord.vest@rndr.ro Phone: , Fax: TÂRGU MUREŞ 60 Mihai Eminescu St., postal code , usr.centru@rndr.ro Phone: , Fax: IAŞI Ciric Recreational Area Ciric Recreational Complex, postal code , usr.nord.est@rndr.ro Phone: , Fax: TIMIŞOARA 53 Take Ionescu Blvd., 2 nd floor, office 26, postal code , usr.vest@rndr.ro Phone: , Fax: TÂRGOVIŞTE 7A Vărzaru Armaşu St., postal code , usr.sud.muntenia@rndr.ro Phone: , Fax: BUCUREŞTI Nicolae Filipescu St., 6 th floor, 2 nd District, postal code , usr.bucuresti.ilfov@rndr.ro Phone: , Fax: Reproduction of the texts of this publication is authorized provided the source is specified. Printed in Romania Photographs Copyright: IDRWWP (Institute for the Development and Research for Winemaking and Wine Production) Valea Calugărească, Alina Iancu - RDCVO (Research and Development Centre for Viticulture and Oenology) Murfatlar, RDCVO (Research and Development Centre for Viticulture and Oenology) Pietroasa, Gîrboiu Wine cellar, Sergiu Nedelea - winetaste.ro, Museum for Vine and Wine Drăgășani, Domeniul Coroanei Segarcea, Franco-Romanian Winemaking Domains, Vincon Vrancea, LAG MMTMM (Local Action Group for Munţii Metaliferi, Trascău and Muntele Mare), LAG (Local Action Group) Valea Trotușului, RDCVO (Research and Development Centre For Viticulture And Oenology) Odobești, AGAPIS Foundation Contents EDITORIAL INTERVIEW PhD Eng. Ion Marian General Manager IDRWWP (Institute for the Development and Research for Winemaking and Wine Production) Valea Călugărească: The future of the Romanian winemaking sector sounds good... 4 RURAL DEVELOPMENT National Winemaking Program Financing worth 47.7 million euros annualiy... 9 Romania s Winemaking industry, between past and present RDCVO Murfatlar, innovative contribution to the development of the Romanian winemaking industry RDCVO Pietroasa, winemaking center under a university sponsorship Wine tourism of the wine route PEOPLE Livia Gîrboiu - Winemaking as a family legacy Sergiu Nedelea, an appreciated sommelier EXEPERIENCES My farm: Domeniul Coroanei Segarcea, business with a royal emblem My business: Domeniile Viticole Franco-Române, pioneers in ecological winemaking My business: Recaș Wine Cellars and the secret of success development with European funds My community: Vincon Vrancea, traditional partner for independent winegrowers UP-TO-DATE LEADER LAG (Local Action Group) Munții Metaliferi, Trascău and Muntele Mare LAG (Local Action Group) Valea Trotușului Bacău valorises the opportunities in the area MARD NEWS AND EVENTS Daniel Constantin: We have 250 million euros available in European funds for the reconversion of the vineyards George Turtoi: We will publish consolidated guides for the measures of the NRDP NRDN MEMBERS INTRODUCE THEMSELVES RDCVO Odobești identifies technological solutions for the development of an ecological winemaking The AGAPIS Foundation, engine for the local development in Valea Barcăului II 1

3 Editorial Winemaking, a centuries old occupation inherited from the Dacians Historians consider that, beginning with the Bronze Age, vine growing and wine production became basic occupations of the old inhabitants of the current Romanian space. The first written mentioning about the Dacian winegrowing comes from the ancient geographer Strabo, who noted in his writings about the vine clearing order given by king Burebista, but also about the fact that the Dacians, men and women altogether, drank wine out of a corn, without adding water to it. Romania still is a winegrowing country and has been a member of the International Organization for Vine and Wine (OIV) since Our country is on the 12 th place at a worldwide level in the ranking of the wine producers and on the 6 th in Europe, after France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Portugal. The vineyards occupy at the moment approximately 1,4% from the entire agricultural area of the country hectares. At a worldwide level, winegrowing is a profit generating area. According to the data supplied by the Congress of the International Organization for Vine and Wine (IOVW) held this month in Mainz, in Germany, the area cultivated with vine worldwide in 2014 was of 7,573 million hectares, which represents a decrease with de hectares, comparing to the year of Yet, the worldwide production of grapes has remained constant, which can be explained by the increase of the yielding due to the continuous improvement of the viniculture techniques, but also to the favorable climate conditions. In regards to the wine production, after the year 2013, that was a record (291 million hectoliters), 2014 meant a production of 270 million hectoliters at a worldwide level, decreasing numbers because of the climate conditions in certain countries in Eastern Europe. Europe is still the first wine producer worldwide, even if the USA and southern hemisphere production has grown. The worldwide wine consumption in 2014 was of approximately 240 million hectoliters, as countries that were traditional consumers registered a decrease in favor of new consumption poles, USA being on the first place. Taking into account the importance of the winegrowing sector in our country, by means of the National Support Program (NSP) , Romania received funding in value of 210,5 million euro. The Romanian producers have accessed those measure that corresponded to their needs, with a positive and dynamic effect over the winegrowing sector. About the second stage of the National Support Program for the winegrowing sector and the support in value of 238,5 million euro that will be awarded to the Romanian winegrowing industry, but also about the five support measures chosen by Romania for the funding, you may find out by going through the column Rural development from this issue of the magazine. Within the same NSP , The future of the Romanian winegrowing sector sounds good, tells us in an interview dr. Eng. Ion Marian, general manager of IDRWWP (Institute for the Development and Research for Winegrowing and Wine Production) Valea Călugărească. The innovative input of the research in the development of the winegrowing sector is highlighted in the presentation materials of two referential institutes, RDCVO (Research Centre for Viticulture and Oenology) Murfatlar and RDCVO (Research Centre for Viticulture and Oenology) Pietroasa. The columns People and Experiences bring to our attention companies whose activity is a role model for the ones who perform their activity in the winegrowing areas and here we can mention the Crama Gîrboiu, Domeniul Coroanei Segarcea, the Franco-Romanian Domains, Cramele Recaș and Vincon Vrancea. From the stories of the people who work there we find out that producing wine is science, art, passion, a lot of work and divine benevolence. Currently, the Romanian wines, produced in the eight winegrowing areas of Romania, have a quality that allows them to join the ones from countries with tradition and name on a worldwide level. Viviana Vasile, Team Leader of the project Establishment and Support for the National Rural Development Network 2 3

4 Interview PhD Eng. Ion Marian - General manager IDRWWP (Institute for the Development and Research for Winemaking and Wine Production) Valea Călugărească The future of the Romanian winemaking sector sounds good In Valea Călugărească, wine growing was one of the first occupations of men. What was the evolution of winemaking in this area? Ion Marian: Winemaking was documented in Valea Călugărească ever since the 2 nd century B.C. The existence of the winemaking village Călugăreni was dated ever since Valea Călugărească appears with this name not only as a settlement, but also as a viniculture center, during the reign of Vlad the Monk ( ), made ruler by Stephen the Great. The rules had vast areas of vineyards, and the wine production allowed for the intensification of the relationships with the wine traders. The fame of the wine in the region remained intact until the end of the 19 th century, until the old vineyards were decimated by the phylloxera plague. At the beginning of the 20th century ( ), by replacing the destroyed vineyards with vines grafted from Romanian and foreign sorts, the wines from Valea Călugărească regain their commercial value. In order to support viniculture and winemaking in the vineyard, in 1907, at Valea Călugărească it was setup the School for winegrowers and coopers that had several names over time, becoming in 2009, the Agricultural College Gheorghe Ionescu-Șișești. Currently, Valea Călugărească is a village renowned for its grapevine culture and producing quality red wines, set on the wine route. It has already become a tradition that here, every year, at the end of September or beginning of October, a wine festival is held. You are running a research institute with a history of over 50 years that has built the corner stone of Romanian research. How was the journey for IDRWWP Valea Călugărească during all these years? Ion Marian: The history of the institute began in 1950, when the Winemaking Experimental Station Valea Călugărească was created. This station functioned between 1950 and 1967, first as an experimental base for the Winemaking Section in the Agronomics Research Institute of Romania ( ), then as a profile station of the Institute for Horticultural and Winemaking Research Bucharest-Băneasa ( ). In 1959, together with French specialists, the Wine Production Complex was built, with a capacity of 500 wagons, equipped with laboratories and spaces for aging the wines with a capacity of 100 wagons. At that date, it was the most modern wine cellar in Romania, with a part in promoting the new oenology techniques, in view of modernizing winemaking in Romania. On the 1 st of October 1967, the Institute for Research for Winemaking and Wine Production Valea Călugărească (IRWWP). The choice for the location turned out to be very appro- priate, in the heart of the largest and most famous vineyard in Romania, the Dealu Mare vineyard, known as the,,motherland of red wines. When it was created it had in its subordination nine experimental stations: Blaj, Drăgăşani, Greaca, Iaşi, Miniş, Murfatlar, Odobeşti, Pietroasa and Ştefăneşti. Later, in 1977, the experimental station Bujoru joined them. The first director of the Institute, academician Gherasim Constantinescu, the only Romanian to hold the function of President of the International Office for Vine and Wine in Paris, used to say: Ever since the beginning of its existence, the Institute has had as an immediate objective the task to grow and expand the research scope with the purpose of deepening and direct reflection upon the scientific discoveries in the production process. In 1992, prof. dr. Viorel Stoian, the one who led the institute for 16 years, founded the Romanian school for authorized wine tasters. In 2002, the unit was named Institute for Research and Development for Winemaking and Wine Production Valea Călugărească, which it currently still has. At a national level, the institute coordinates the activity of research and extension in the area of winemaking and wine production by means of seven stations of winemaking stations. What does the activity consist in? Ion Marian: The institute still functions as an institution of national and local importance. The main research activities are the following: creating new grape sorts for table and wine, clonal selection of the grape sorts for table and wine, production of vine material to seed in their own nurseries as a method of promoting their own creations (sorts and clones) for the table grapes and wine, with superior characteristics in productivity, quality and resistance against diseases, checking the results of the research in the area of the technologies for growing vine and wine production, communication of the results by means of scientific sessions, symposiums and debates, as well as by their own publications, etc. The institute as incorporation Viniculture plantations The activity for scientific research and technological development coordinated by the institute is done in the laboratories, pilot stations, own experimental fields and in the seven research stations places in the main vineyards in the country - Blaj, Bujoru, Drăgășani, Iași, Miniș, Murfatlar and Odobești. At certain time intervals, the institute drafts strategies regarding the development of the research in the 4 5

5 Precut demonstrations grapes affected by mold or draught, agro-chemical and pedological charting, projects and project certifications for setting up vine plantations, studies regarding the identification and authentication of the vine sorts in the vine plantations setup by the restructuring/reconversion program, studies for establishing the favorability for cultivating vine of certain villages and situating them in the set winemaking areas, testing new fitosanitary products for pest and disease control, fertilizers, bio stimulators with leaf application, testing certain oenological materials present on the market, physical and chemical analyses on the wines, etc. Wines variety Ion Marian: Beginning with 2007, we registered a tendency for the revifield in collaboration with the coordinated stations, strategies that take into account the transformations registered in winemaking and wine production in our country. In view of reaching the targets and themes comprised in these strategies, project proposals are drafted for the participation in the competitions organized within the National Programs for Research-Development-Innovation and the Sectorial plan of MARD. Who are the beneficiaries of your research work? Ion Marian: First of all, companies and private winegrowers. Promoting the results is mainly done by setting up demonstrative parcels within the Institute and also within companies with a viniculture profile and private producers, round tables and expositions organized on a local and national level, as well as the participation of specialists in production to the institute s sessions on scientific communications. Another category of beneficiaries are the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the National Office for Vine and Wine Products. In order to correctly underlie and be in agreement with the EU recommendations in regard to the decisions in the winemaking area, the institute Experimental model for producing vine by grafting in green drafts a series of analytical data bases with applicability on a national level regarding the dynamics of grape aging (the ripening path), the wines registration sheet, the winemaking climate at the level of the vineyards and winemaking centers (MEDVIT), all contributing to the elaboration of certain important normative documents in the area. IDRWWP Valea Călugărească meets the producers in the wine making sector with its offer of products and services? Which are the vine sorts recommended by the institute to the winegrowers in the area and not only? Ion Marian: The product offer of the institute is regarding grapevine budded with the sorts and clones of the wine grapes Negru Aromat, Fetească Neagră 4 Vl, Sauvignon 62 Dg, Chardonnay 25 Mf, Fetească albă 1 Od, Merlot 8 Vl, Cabernet Sauvignon 33 Vl and for the table grapes Timpuriu de Pietroasa, Transilvania, Afuz Ali and Victoria. The institute provides a wide range of scientific and technological services, such as specialized technical assistance regarding the fitosanitary protection of the vine plantations, optimizing the management forms and cutting systems, technological solutions for producing wine from the The vine sorts recommended for the winegrowers in the influence area are those created by the institute, among which the variety Negru Aromat and the clone Fetească Neagră 4 Vl, that will be multiplied by setting up new plantations in the Dealu Mare Vineyard. At a national level, we recommend to the winegrowers the biological creations made are the IDRWWP Valea Călugărească and at the winemaking research stations, sorts that are well adjusted to the climate and soil conditions specific to the different winemaking areas in Romania. From the sorts created by the Romanian winemaking research we recommend Şarba and Aromat de Iași, for the areas in Moldova, Crâmpoșie selecționată, Novac, Negru de Drăgăşani and Negru aromat, for the areas in the winemaking region of the Dealurile Munteniei și Olteniei, Columna, Cristina and Mamaia for the areas in Dobrogea, Selena, Astra and Blasius for the winemaking areas in Podișul Transilvaniei. What can you tell us about the reconversion program in viniculture, performed within the NRDP , and what part did IDRWWP Valea Călugărească have in its performance? Elegance Tasting room 6 7

6 Collection wines Rural Development National Winemaking Program Financing worth 47.7 million euros annually talization of the national winemaking sector, as consequence of the successful implementation of the restructuring and reconversion program. Besides the positive effect that this measure had over the development of the winemaking sector in Romania, it also managed to absorb 100% of the European funding destined for it. Several private capital commercial societies were created that, by accessing European funding, have started rebuilding the winemaking activity by setting up new plantations at European standards. By the reconversion and restructuring program, between 2007 and 2012, approximately hectares were setup, as well as several modern wine cellars for processing the grapes, set in the heart of the largest vineyards in the country. Within the newly created plantations, the Romanian sorts (especially the Fetească Neagră sort) have occupied a top position in the sorts range, and the produced wines obtained gold medals in the competitions held in our country and abroad. The institute has drafted the technological estimated for setting up vine plantations and on their bases PIAA performed the monitoring of the eligible expensed made by the owners. During the entire winemaking reconversion program, the institute has provided mainly scientific and technological services, consisting of performing over 130 agricultural, chemical and pedological chartings, 200 projects and project certifications for reconversion/replantation, as well as vine planting material from the creation made by the institute. Sorts and vine clones made by scientific research - 17 new biological creations: a variety of table grapes - Roz Românesc two sorts for red wines - Negru Aromat, Olivia eight clones for high quality red wines - Fetească Neagră 4 Vl, Cabernet Sauvignon 33 Vl și 30 Vl Merlot 8 Vl și 7 Vl, Pinot Noir 5 Vl, Cabernet Franc 81 Vl and 43 Vl; three sorts with complex resistance - Valeria, Rosina, Purpuriu one variety of parent stock - Ruvis; two clones of parent stock Ru sel.59 Vl,41 B sel.6 Vl. How do you see the future of the Romanian winemaking sector in the context when through the National Winemaking Program there will be 238,5 million euro allocated? Ion Marian: The future of the Romanian winemaking sector sounds good in this context. Taking into consideration that the large companies have finished the planting process, at the moment there are talks about reallocating large amounts from the restructuring and reconversion measure to the other measures, especially for the ones for investments and promoting the wines on third party countries markets. At the end of this period I can expect positive outcomes, such as increasing the areas with new plantations from hectares to approximately hectares, increasing the wine production to 7 million hectoliters, promoting quality wines, increasing the areas capable of producing COD wines to at least hectares and GI to at least hectares, promoting the cultivation of the Romanian sorts and clones of a certain oenological value, so that at the end of 2018 they should have at least 40% weight, increasing the consumption of wine per person, to at least 30 liters/years, increasing the export. The reconversion program for the winemaking plantations was a real success, as in the stage it benefitted from 210 million euro, amount awarded by the European Commission for the sustaining of the winemaking sector. By means of this program, over hectares of vine were replaced. Because of the 100% absorption rate on the reconversion side, Romania requested to the European Commission for the extension of the measure. Thus, through the second stage of the Romanian National Support Program in the winemaking sector , Romanian winemaking benefits from million euro. The Romanian National Support Program in the winemaking sector was started in 2014, when GD nr. 578 entered into force, regarding the awarding of financial aid from the European Union. Within this program, Romania chose for the financing, depending on the specific of the local winemaking, five support measures: Promoting wines, by means of the sub-measure for promoting wines produced in the European Union, consisting of activities of informing in the member states, with the purpose of informing the consumers about the rational wine consumption and the chart for the controlled origin denomination and geographical indications, as well as by the sub-measure of promoting in third party countries, in view of improving the competitiveness of the wines with controlled origin denomination, geographical indication or of the wines for which the variety of the grapes is specified; Restructuring and reconverting the vineyards; Ensuring the crops; Investment performance; Distillation of the sub-products. As a consequence of the negotiations carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Romania has obtained through the National Winemaking Program financing of Euro 47.7 million annually. Also, following the consultations with the profile producers and a deep analysis of the winemaking sector, MARD sustained the completion of the program by introducing the measure for the distillation of the sub-products, endeavor that guarantees fair practices on the market regarding the traceability of the product on the channel, by increasing controls and reducing the fraudulent activities, also leading to the increase of the producers incomes with the grants offered for this purpose. This way, we are setting the basis for Romania to consolidate its position within the large wine producing European countries, and winemaking to attract significant investment that may lead to the qualitative growth of the production, the development of the winemaking sector by complying with the biosafety measures and the agro-environment requirements and implicitly, to the creation of work places. Promoting wines The beneficiaries of the financial aid for this measure are producers of wines with controlled origin denomination (C.O.D.) and with geographical indication (G.I.), producers organizations, professional and inter-professional organizations whose members produce and export C.O.D./ G.I. wines. The promotion measure refers to an ensemble of actions that contributes to the growth of the export of C.O.D. and G.I. wines, as well as to the increase of the volume of information regarding the promotion of wine on third party countries. 8 9

7 The amount awarded as financial aid on behalf of EAGF for the financing of eligible activities does not go above 50% of the expenses. The National Support Program introduces the principle of optionality for the beneficiary in accessing the state aid, in 30% of the value of the eligible expenses. The measure for promoting the wines has the objective to fully absorb the European funding, improving the competitiveness of the C.O.D./G.I. Romanian wines on the target markets in the third party countries, consolidating the presence of the Romanian wines with the C.O.D./G.I. specification on the traditional markets and the quantitative and value increase of the export of C.O.D./I.G wines. Reconstruction and reconversion of the vineyards The program for reconstruction/reconversion represents the ensemble of eligible measures that lead to the increase of the competitiveness of the wine producers by adapting the production to the market demand. The beneficiaries of this program are the winegrowers, natural and legal persons who own or exploit areas with vines of noble varieties. Financial allocation per measure: Financial exercises / Estimated values (EUR 1000) The measure for the reconstruction/ reconversion of the vineyards had the largest impact on the winemaking sector. Due to this measure, the Romanian producers managed to restructure or modernize their vineyards, so that they correspond to the current market requests. The producers immediately adapted to the requirements of the measure, managing to absorb most part of the financial aid granted for Romania. The reconstruction/reconversion measure consists of the following activities: Reconversion of the varieties consists of changing the current cultivated varieties with qualitatively superior ones or clones of these varieties, by planting vine for wine grapes on the same location or on an equivalent surface. Relaying out the lots consists of planting the viniculture lots placed in unfavorable conditions on other places that provide favorable climate and pedological conditions on the same area. Modernizing the winemaking exploitations represents the ensemble of eligible measures that lead to the increase of the efficiency and the improvement of the winemaking products. The financial aid is granted per hectare for each eligible measure and does not go above 75% of the value of the costs for implementing the measures within the reconstruction/ reconversion programs. Granting the financial aid requires the drafting by the applicants of an individual plan for each reconstruction/reconversion program. Insuring the crops Insuring the crops consists of a financial aid as follows: 80 % from the cost of the insurance bonuses paid by the producers in order to avoid losses caused by the climate phenomena with effects similar to natural disasters; 50% from the cost of the insurance bonuses paid by the producers in order to avoid losses caused by the weather, as well as other losses caused by animals, diseases or pest infestation. The objectives of this measure are increasing the stability of the incomes of the producers and the total absorption of the European funding destined for the measure. Investment The aid may be granted for investment in lands, buildings and plantations, machines and equipment or in technology transfer by purchasing the copyrights - or intellectual rights, licenses, know-how or unpatented technical knowledge in transformation installations, the infrastructure of the winemaking unit or wine commercialization, investments that improve the overall performance of the company. For a better approach within the categories stipulated by the legislation, there were set two subcategories, according to the main directions regarding the investment measure, regarding the winemaking products from the grapes to the wine in the cellar, bottled and labeled, as well as the marketing of the wine. The financial aid awarded by the investment measure (other than the ones financed by the NRDP) is up to 50% of the value if the costs related to the eligible expenses within the measure. The beneficiary may access one measure only once per year. Measures R(CE) no. 1234/2007 Financial year Total Sole payment system Art. 103o Reconstruction/reconversion of vineyards Art. 103q Harvesting before ripening Art. 103r Mutual funds Art. 103s Ensuring the harvest Art. 103t Investments in industries Art. 103u Distillation of sub-products Art. 103v R(UE) no. 1308/2013 Promotion Art Replanting the vine plantations due to sanitary and fito-sanitary reasons Art. 46 alin. (3) lit. c) Innovation Art. 51 Total Statistical data in the vine wine sector The objectives of this measure are accessing European funds, modernizing the presentation spaces of their own wines, performing in optimum conditions the aging of the wines and the superior capitalization of the wines with C.O.D./G.I. specifications, bottled by bottle aging in wine cellars. Specification MU Total cultivated surface with vine for wine Ha 180, , , , , , , ,939 Average price for the purchasing of grapes for wine/country Lei/kg Total wine production Mii hl Total surface submitted to the reconstruction/reconversion measure Ha

8 Wine production from noble varieties per quality categories and winemaking regions in 2014 Winemaking region Report on the intra-communitarian import and export of wines Import K tones Mil. K tones Mil. K tones Mil. K tones Mil. K tones Mil. K tones Mil , Export K tones Mil. K tones Mil. K tones Mil. K tones Mil. K tones Mil. K tones Mil Data source National Institute for Statistics Distillation of sub products The voluntary distillation of the wine products is an important measure for their elimination, partially or totally. The producers eliminate this way a part or the entire quantity of sub-products by delivering them for distillation. The delivery of the products is done based on objective and nondiscriminatory objectives. The financial aid is destined for distilleries that process winemaking sub-products delivered for distillation in pure alcohol with an alcohol degree of at least 92% of its volume. The maximum level of the aid has its basis in the calculations of the collection and processing costs. The objectives of this measure are the increase of the stability of the producers incomes, the increase of the absorption degree of the funding and increasing the means for elimination of the sub-products. Total, mii hl C.O.D. Wines G.I. Wines Wines without C.O.D. or G.I. Podișul Transilvaniei Dealurile Moldovei Dealurile Munteniei și Olteniei Dealurile Banatului Dealurile Crișanei și Maramureșului Colinele Dobrogei Terasele Dunării Sands and other favorable lands in the south of the country TOTAL Rules for planting vine, imposed by the European Union The European Commission has instituted rules for a new form of authorizing planting of vine within the European Union, rules that allow for a moderated annual increase of the surface cultivated with vine within the EU. The regulations will be applied starting with the 1 st of January 2016 and will replace the transitory regime of the plantation rights. The new regulations confirm the means in which state members should manage, at a national level, the system for the planting authorizations, free and nontransferable. Also, there are mentioned the safeguard means applicable to the new plantations. Each member state is authorized to increase the viniculture area by a maximum of 1% per year, existing also the possibility to introduce, where justified, restrictions on the expansion of the cultivated lands in the areas with protected geographical denomination. Also, there are mentioned the transition conditions from the current system to the new regime, as well as the conversion means of the plantation rights into authorizations. Romania s Winemaking industry, between past and present Wine has always been considered the nectar of the gods. Romans called it vinum, and Alexander the Great considered it the blood of the vine, the power of the earth and the eternity of the sun. To follow the path of the vine on the current territory of Romania means to actually rebuild the past of this country starting from ancient times. In his book The Wines of Romania, the famous oenologist Mihai Macici quotes the opinion of the botanist A. Griesbach who states that the motherland of the wine must be sought for in the lands of the Euxine Sea and the ones of Thrace, until beyond the Danube. A.D Xenopol wrote that Thrace was considered the birth place of the god of wine, Dionysus. Other historians consider that, beginning with the Bronze Age, the culture of the vine and wine producing have become basic preoccupations of the old inhabitants of the current Romanian space. Vine, a symbol of constancy and continuity The first written mentioning about the Dacian winemaking comes from the ancient geographer Strabo (66 B.C. 24 B.C.) and refers to vine clearing order given by king Burebista (82-44 B.C.). It is suspected that the decision was taken at the advice of the great minister Deceneu who wanted to eliminate the temptation that the vineyards in Dacia represented for the foreign populations with a conquering tendency. The importance of winemaking during the roman colonization of Dacia is supported by the representations on two monetary issues of the time - the Dacia Felix medal, issued by the emperor Trajan in the year 112, as well as another, issued later, during the reign of emperor Decius ( ), coin that symbolically represents the province under the face of a woman carrying two children in her arms, one holding in his hand a grape, and the other a few ears of wheat. In the Middle Ages, the vines continued to cover the sunny sides of the sub Carpathian hills, as the areas grew constantly, with the cultivation and processing techniques. Regarding the vines in Transylvania, we have the testimony of the bishop Anton Verancsics ( ), former secretary of king loan Zapolya who tells us that (...) everywhere you can see the sunny hills covered in vineyards. (...) But the wines, either you want them strong or weak, tart or sweet, white, red or pink and you pick them according to each season, they are so tasteful and of such fine class, that you no longer wish for the wines in Falem, in Campania and even comparing them among themselves, you like these much better. The Romanians remained faithful to the grape vine At the end of the previous century, winemaking was removed from its centuries old process by the phylloxera invasion and the apparition of certain diseases unknown until then, especially the grapevine downy mildew. In the Old Kingdom, the phylloxera was officially noted in 1884 in Chițorani, Prahova, in the Dealu Mare vineyard, after it had been identified a few years before that, in 1880, in Arad. Later the attack of the phylloxera spread quickly, acquiring the proportions of a national disaster. During the period for the vineyards reconstruction, from the end of the last century, the winegrowers have acquired new techniques, among which aligning the grapevines, fighting the disease and the mildew of the grapevine, etc. There were new sorts brought from France that entered into the vineyards in competition with the local, old ones. Many foreign sorts proved to be valuable, especially under the aspect of the wines of a superior quality. As a consequence, there was a new alignment of the sorts, this being a long process, and research had a decisive role in its completion. The First World War also hit the Romanian winemaking that had just got out the confrontation with the phylloxera. The reconstruction was done during the inter-war period, but then 12 13

9 the communist period arrived, when the vineyards passed into the ownership of the state. Even so, the Romanians remained faithful to the grapevine. Viniculture regions in Romania Currently, in Romania there are 37 vineyards, reunited in eight viniculture regions - Dealurile Moldovei being the most extended of them, with approximately hectares. The viniculture region Dealurile Moldovei Is the widest and most famous winemaking region in Romania and comprises 12 vineyards: Cotnari, Iași, Huși, Colinele Tutovei, Dealul Bujorului, Nicorești, Ivești, Covurlui, Zeletin, Panciu, Odobești and Cotești. The obtained wines, mostly white, are for regular consumption, but also of superior quality, and they are naturally sweet and may join the best wines in the world. The viniculture region Podișul Transilvaniei Contains the vineyards Tarnave, Alba, Sebeș-Apold, Aiud and Lechința. The region produces especially white wines, for a wide scope, from the consumption ones to the brand ones, semi-sweet and sweet. Besides these, the sparkling wines type Jidvei, Alba etc. are known all around the country and abroad. The viniculture region Dealurile Munteniei and Olteniei There are eight vineyards within this viniculture region: Dealurile Buzăului, Dealu Mare, Ștefănești, Samburești, Drăgășani, Dealurile Craiovei, Severin and Plaiurile Drancei. The wine production is quite diversified, with the exception of the Samburești vineyard, specialized mainly on producing red wines. All the other produce a wide range of wines, especially white, from consumption ones to the superior ones, with origin denomination and quality steps. The viniculture region Dealurile Banatului Located in the south-west of Romania, this region meets the conditions of one vineyard. Although it is specialized mainly on producing wines, the sorts for the table grapes are not missing from the plantations. From them, the ones in the Chasselas group is widely spread and appreciated, here and there meeting also the sorts of Muscat Hamburg and Muscat de Adda. The viniculture region Crișana and Maramureș It comprises four vineyards - Miniș-Măderat, Diosig, Valea lui Mihai, Silvania - and 13 winemaking centers. For the white wines they grow Feteasca Albă, Riesling Italian, Fetească Regală, Furmint, Pinot Gris, Mustoasă de Măderat and Iordana, and for the red ones Cadarcă and Burgund. The viniculture region Colinele Dobrogei Located in the southeast of Romania, it completely overlaps the Podișul Dobrogean, clearly delimitated by the Danube, Black sea and the border with Bulgaria. The natural frame represents the basic condition for the development of winemaking in the region, many of the wine produced here being appreciated by other people ever since ancient times. For their superior quality they have the environment factor to be thankful for. The viniculture region of the Colinele Dobrogei comprises the vineyards Sarica-Niculițel, Istria-Babadag and Murfatlar. Here, they produce table grapes and for wine production from the sorts of Cardinal, Regina Viilor, Chasselas, Muscat Hamburg, Muscat de Adda, Afuz Ali, Aligote, Fetească Albă, Fetească Regală, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Merlot. The viniculture region Terasele Dunării This region is mainly situated on the Danube s terraces in the south-east of the Campia Romana and comprises the Ostrov and Greaca vineyards and the five winemaking centers from the Aliman, Băneasa, Oltina, Ostrov, Greaca vineyards. The region has as main production direction obtaining table grapes. However, the wine production is also varied, comprised mostly of wines for the regular consumption, mostly white. The sands and other favorable lands in the south of the country This region mainly overlaps the large sand area in the south of the Campia Olteniei. The three vineyards (Dacilor, Calafat, Sadova-Corabia) sum up eight winemaking centers. The grapes sort grown here is built mainly from sorts for wines and in a smaller proportion from sorts for table grapes. The main sorts of cultivated grapes and the wines they produce Currently, Romania is one of the largest winemaking countries in the world, due to the favorable conditions in our country, mainly in the hills area. An important factor in obtaining a quality wine is the grapevine sort that is the base of its production. In the Romanian sorts of grapes there are local sorts, but also foreign sorts, dating from the pre-phylloxera times and that have survived after the invasion of the phylloxera, that we will describe in the following lines. Feteasca Albă is an old Romanian sort and is currently grown on hectares. It produces dry or semidry wines, with a balanced content of alcohol (concentration 11,5-12 ) and acidity, characterized by finesse. Feteasca Regală is a sort created between the two world wars. The wines usually fit in the group of the superior quality ones, with an alcohol concentration of 10,5-11,5, they are dry, distinguishing themselves by the freshness and animation given by a higher acidity and a very pleasant specific flavor. Riesling Italian, sort of an uncertain origin, entered in the vineyard of Romania before the phylloxera invasion. They are now widely spread (over hectares), they produce dry wines, with an alcoholic concentration of 11-12, full, firm, with a balanced taste, with a bouquet that evolves well with bottle aging. Grasa de Cotnari is part of the old sort of the Cotnari vineyard, where it has been grown for seven. The specialists say it may be of a common origin as the Furmint sort that is at the basis of producing the Tokay wines. The Grasă wines have been for a very long time the fame of the Cotnari vineyard and they are placed at the top of the hierarchy of Romanian wines they are impressive by their quality, they have a concentration of 12-12,5, an elevated sugar content, a yellow-golden color, with a hint of green, flavor and a generous bouquet that gains complex shades as it ages. Sauvignon was introduced in Romania in the post phylloxera period. The sort holds a top spot in the superior quality wines, with an area of approximately hectares. It produce dry or semi-dry fine wines, with a powerful flavor and an alcohol concentration of 11,5-12. Pinot Gris entered Romania after the phylloxera invasion, being cultivated nowadays on approximately hectares. The dry or semi-dry wines, sometimes semi-sweet, with a concentration of 11,5-12,5, are full, robust, balanced with a specific flavor that evolves in a valuable bouquet by aging. Chardonnay, of French origin, entered the Romanian varieties during the post-phylloxera times. The dry Chardonnay wines are appreciated due to their finesse and discrete flavor. From the Chardonnay sort we can obtain semi-sweet and sweet wine, with complex characteristics in the flavor and bouquet that evolve well with bottle aging. Cabernet Sauvignon, originating from France, is currently well settled in the wine range of Romania, being much appreciated as it produces red wines of the finest quality. It is curren tly cultivated on an area of approximately hectares. There are high quality wines, dry, impressive by color and vigor, and their alcohol concentration is situated between 12 and 12,5. They reach their quality peak after aging in a vase for almost two years, followed by a bottle aging of at least six months. Pinot Noir, originating from France, it produces wines with an alcohol concentration of around 12, tile-color red, soft and fruity. Merlot, sort originating from France, offers dry wines, with an alcohol concentration of 12-12,5, characterized by their bright red color, extractive character, firmness and bouquet that evolves by aging. Feteasca Neagră is part of the old sort of Romania. The Fetească Neagră wines are dry or semidry, with an alcohol concentration of 12-12,5, bright red color with crimson shades, a specific flavor, complex and original that reminds you of black currants, but they are at the same time, robust and soft. Băbeasca Neagră is an old local sort. The Băbească Neagră wines are generally part of the current consumption ones, with an alcohol concentration of de They have a bright red color with shiny shades, they are easy and fruity, with a good acidity. Tămaioasa Românească is grown in our country ever since the phylloxera invasion. It is a very valuable sort, it produces flavored wines and requires special conditions for climate and soil. The Tămaioasă Romanească wines are naturally sweet or semi-sweet, with an alcohol concentration of 12-12,5, yellow-golden color, flavor that reminds you of field flowers and honey, with a rich taste where the alcohol, sugar and acidity are harmonized in the happiest way. Muscat Ottonel, of French origin, entered our vineyards before the phylloxera invasion. Currently, it is grown on an area of over hectares. These wines, with an alcohol concentration of 11,5-12, sugar content of over g/l, are characterized by a yellow-straw color, typical flavor that evolves by a short aging in a very complex bouquet, gaining a fine and soft taste

10 RDCVO Murfatlar, innovative contribution to the development of the Romanian winemaking industry At Murfatlar, the scientific research activity has been continuously developing for the past 73 years. In august 1942, by an ordinance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Domains, the nursery garden setup here at the end of the 19 th century was passed into the subordination of the Institute for Agronomical Research of Romania under the name of Viniculture Experimental Station Murfatlar. The valuable results obtained from the research activity have been take over in time by the specialized companies in the south-east of Romania, especially in Dobrogea, and, most recently, by the winegrowing associations in the influence area. As a public institution of a national and international interest, RDCVO (Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology) Murfatlar has contributed to the development of knowledge in the areas of viniculture and winegrowing by means of the activities of scientific research and technological development according to the requirements of the Dobogea area ecosystems and the requirements of the market. The research is destined for viniculture and winegrowing, but also to promoting wine products. winegrowing stations from the country and from abroad, sorts with a raised adaptability to the ecosystems in Dobrogea. Applicable research specific technologies regarding the grapevine culture in drought conditions, biological viticulture, integrated protection within the winegrowing plantations, biological fight against pests, new production techniques for the different categories and types of wine, modern methods for the analysis and control of the quality of wines and liquor beverages. Technological development using new technologies for growing grapevine in specific conditions, of the methods for the biological control of pests within the grapevine plantations, introducing new technological links in producing new certified budded grapevines, using the new technologies for producing the different categories and types of wine. Accomplishments of the research sector In the area of improving and producing young vine plants, the station s researchers have certified four sorts of grapevine: Columna, Cristina and Mamaia (wine sorts) and Aurana (table grape sort) and they have homologated four clones - Pinot Gris 13 Mf, Chardonnay 25 Mf, Afuz Ali 25 Mf and Fetească Neagră 9 Mf. The Columna and Mamaia sorts received a gold medal within the Inventors Convention EUREKA 1999, held in Brussels. The station manages mother plants that supply new budded vines from the biological categories - BASIS (0, 5 hectares) and CERTIFICATE (44, 3 hectares), as well as then hectares of plants that supply vine shoots from the CERTIFICATE category, essential for the production of grapevine seeding material of a high biological and genetic quality, material made available to anyone who wishes to setup new grapevine plantations. Every year, following the requests of the farmers in the influence area, the researchers of the station perform viability and fertility analyses for the winter buds, analyses that are mandatory for the correct control of the future grape productions. Only in 2014 there were analyses made for 27 winegrowing countries, recommending the cutting technique of the grapevines for plantation with a total area of hectares. In the area of viticulture technologies there were researches done regarding the cultivation techniques under conditions of hydric stress, over two demonstrative plots with a surface of five hectares. This year, there was a certification for a procedure for the cultivation in an ecological system of a sort of red grapes for wine (Invention patent nr / ), following that another patent request to be finalized for a sort of white wine grapes. In the area of protecting the health of the grapevine, on their own or under the coordination of IDRWWP Valea Călugărească, over the past 20 years there have been 75 products tested, for the fight against diseases and pests of the grapevine, establishing their efficiency, the optimum application dosages, their compatibility with other fight products. The station performs its activity in the town Murfatlar, on an area of 183 hectares, out of which 108,34 are owned by ASAS Bucharest. The research activity of the station is executed within four laboratories Improvement and seeding material, Technologies in viticulture, Protection of the plants health and Technologies for processing the grapes and Wine chemistry. Directions for researchdevelopment-innovation Fundamental research creating clones and valuable sorts adapted to the drought conditions in Dobrogea, resistant to freezing temperatures, diseases and pests, managing the ampelographical collection, the research areas seeded with the unit s new creations and those of other 16 17

11 Annually, together with the winemakers in the influence area, it is conducted a study regarding the evaluation of the typicality of the Dobrogea wines, integrating the interpretation of the physical and chemical analyses performed in their own laboratory with the sensorial data obtained by comparative tastings, organized by the stations specialists. In 2014, there were 64 wines from the Doborgea area that were analyzed and evaluated. Permanent connection with the winemakers in area The obtained results were capitalized under the form of recommendations in all the winegrowing units in the country and to all the private producers. A basic preoccupation of the laboratory was to annually monitor the fitosanitary state in the Murfatlar Vineyard (approximately hectares) and issuing the prognosis and warning bulletins for the fight against diseases and pests of the grapevine towards the winegrowing units in the influence area and to all the small private producers. In the area of technologies for processing the grapes, the chemistry and microbiology of wine, the performed research had several directions: Establishing the optimum moment for starting the vintage and according to the case, the opportunities for approving the processes for enriching the harvest at the level of the Murfatlar Vineyard (approximately hectares). The annual Wine Record in view of their imprinting, interdisciplinary research highly important for accurately establishing the origin and type of wine. The analyses series performed in the dynamics of the preservation and aging (in each 15 wines from the most spread sorts in Dobrogea) characterize the wines every years, their quality, the biological potential of the sorts, their improvement due to the ecological conditions for the plants development. The data are stored and made available to the authorities in the field and to any interested party. Elaborating the original techniques for the production of the various sorts of Murfatlar wines. Following these researches, in the years seven invention patents were obtained for procedures to obtain a sort of white dry, semi-dry or semisweet wines, from the Columna type, of a sort of natural or special red wines from the Mamaia type, a procedure to obtain a sort of white semi-dry wine and for an ecological procedure to eliminate the excess of iron and copper ions from the wine by inverted osmosis. Through its status as sole institution to authorize the projects for setting up vineyards in Dobrogea, the station constantly communicated with the winegrowers in the area, advising them in regards to the correct choice of the plates sorts, but also regarding the placement and organization of the vineyard, the approach for the cultivation technology etc., says the manager of RDCVO Murfatlar, dr. biologist Aurora Ranca. The winemakers in the influence area especially appreciate the activity of the station s specialists, frequently using its services in various areas as customs, regular analyses, technological advice, etc. only in 2014, the analyses laboratory issues 216 bulleting for the wines. Besides the connection with the winemakers, there is a traditional close collaboration with various higher education institutions from the country and from abroad, as various students perform practice stages within the stations, and also research and studies for their theses, masters and doctors papers. Starting with 2012, the institution was authorized by the Ministry of Labor, Family and Social Protection and the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research to perform training activities in order to be certified as a winemakers. Several farmers in the Dobrogea area took part in the courses. Patrimony wines Within the station there is a wine cellar with wines from Some represent study objects for the research, but also a pride of RDCVO Murfatlar, as they are presented in various national and international competitions. Only in the past two years, the collection wines, some from the 50 s and from the stations wine cellar, obtained five gold medals and two big gold medals. The station currently owns five trademarks - Murfatlar, Columna, Via Regală, Dealurile de calcar and Academic de Murfatlar -, from which Columna is protected at an European level. The station has an exceptional gene patrimony at a national level, formed by an ampelographical collection if over 400 types of grapevine from all over the world and another one of Romanian sorts and clones whose behavior is studied under the Mur- fatlar conditions. They also have experimental and testing field for new clones of Romanian and international clones, experimental lots, mother plantations that supply vine stocks and vine parent stocks. By the activity to produce high quality seeding material, corresponding to the European standards, the station made its name as the regional leader in promoting the viniculture research and the traditional Romanian sorts for new plantations. The station involved in the program for the reconversion of winegrowing plantations The program for the reconversion of winegrowing plantations was a real success, absorbing, in the stage, the entire amount allocated by the European Commission. By the simplicity of the measure, by the elevated support rate (75% of the total expenses), this program turns The scientific research activity performed by RDCVO Murfatlar fits into the general frame of the Strategy for Research-Development and Innovation in Agriculture and Rural Development for out to be one that can be followed also in other sectors, as the one of table grapes and fruit farming, underlined dr. biologist Aurora Ranca. The Murfatlar station fully benefited from this program, by replacing until now an area of 80 hectares of grapevine. Through its status as sole institution to authorize the projects for setting up vineyards in Dobrogea, starting with 2007, the station has performed many projects, has approved all the setting up projects and has given counseling to the farmers regarding the recommended sorts for the area, the planting distances and the management system. Since 2007 and until now, due to the program for the reconversion of winegrowing plantations, the station has drafted 34 project for setting up plantations and has approved another 72 projects, related to an area of hectares. We are still involved in this program, this year we have planned to plant 15,4 hectares with grapevine produces by the station. We are available for the farmers, besides the activity of design and approval, with planting material from the sorts and clones of the station, closed dr. biologist Aurora Ranca, manager of RDCVO Murfatlar

12 RDCVO Pietroasa, winemaking center under a university sponsorship 170 years ago, Pietroasa went into history due to the thesaurus discovered here. Its discoverers, the masons, were working in the quarry next to Via Ardelenilor. The villagers were famous not only for their masonry, but also as good grapevine cultivators ever since the Neolithic. Cathedral of the Romanian viniculture, as I.C. Teodorescu called it, Pietroasa is a blessed place to be the house of the grapevines and a spring of unequalled wines. Pietroasa means tradition, continuity, performance, in a word, excellence. The Research-Development Centre for Viticulture and Winemaking Pietroasa, currently a branch of the University for Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in Bucharest, was created in 1893, being the first nursery garden of the country, after the devastating attack of the phylloxera. In the fire of the battle for rebuilding the countries viniculture, the Pietroasa Nursery Garden, located in the middle of one of the largest vineyards of the country, Dealu Mare, had the mission to fulfill the role of model and experimental vineyard. In time, it played a major role in the area of research regarding budding the grapevine and selecting valuable sorts. The Pietroasa Nursery Garden was created on the state s domain in Pietroasa - Bădeni that had been secularized from the Bradu Monastery in When created, the Pietroasa Nursery Garden received the garden of the former housing space and a total area of hectares. The Pietroasa Nursery Garden turned its preoccupation towards producing winemaking material, establishing the grapevine sort in the area and preparing the budding, but also the winemakers that ensure the rebuilding of the grapevine plantations. Between 1893 and 1895, in Pietroasa it was setup on an area of ten hectares a plantation cultivated with 737 sorts of grapevine for table grapes and for wine, brought in from all the continents. Beginning with 1894, it was created the Grafters School within the Pietroasa Nursery Garden. In 1924, the Viticulture and Oenology Station Pietroasa was founded. Within the station there was a school of agricultural apprentices. In 1929, Via Pietroasa (Pietroasa Vineyard) is taken over by the Academy of High Agronomical Studies in Bucharest and is officially called Via Experimentală Pietroasa (Pietroasa Experimental Vineyard), thus becoming the first winemaking unit in the country where there were systematically organized experiments regarding the behavior of the fertile vine sorts and the vine stocks, application of the cutting in dry, prevention and fighting against diseases and pests. In 1932, the first special school in the country for cellar men was created. Over time, the stations suffered multiple transformations, but the essential was kept in Pietroasa appreciated sorts of grapevine are grown and high quality wines are produced. The research evolved according to the needs of the viticulture The Station in Pietroasa was returned to the University for Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in Bucharest in 2005, after almost 50 years since the separation, and it was a reparatory act that also imposes a great responsibility: the continuous development of the station on every level. Regarding the research activity, it will be integrated in the research plan of the Department of Viticulture and Winemaking and in the general research program of the university. There is a special accent on the activity for clones selection, mainly oriented towards the Romanian grapevine sorts: Tămâioasă Românească, Busuioacă de Bohotin, Grasă de Cotnari, Fetească Neagră, Băbească Neagră etc. The most valuable clones will be registered and patented, and will later be capitalized. In this context, it is imposed to rationally exploit the Romanian grapevine sorts and clones by a durable management based on scientific knowledge. For each genotype there will be cultivation techniques adequate for obtaining a quality production. Regarding the research activity in the winemaking field, it will seek to elaborate specific technique for the sort authorized and recommended in Pietroasa for high quality wines. Quality and uniqueness will be the two traits of the wines from Pietroasa

13 The institute is planning to launch a new series of wines under the brand Pietroasa Veche that will have the unique mark of these places. They will also continue the research in the field of ecological viticulture and the obtained results will be extended into production, going as far as an ecological wine. They will continue to enrich the ampelographical collection with new sorts and clones. Also, there will be comparative cultures with Romanian and international sorts. A special place will be held by the testing certain table grapes sorts with and without seeds, under the conditions of a protected cultivation in a modern system. Currently in Pietroasa, the area planted with grapevine is of 150 hectares, and the reconversion was made on 62,5 hectares. It was a necessary means because certain sorts were declining, and by means of this program the array was enriched with local and foreign sorts. For the reconversion of the mentioned area, European funding were accessed in value of RON, from the total of the investment of RON. The grapevine sorts were chosen following a study regarding their adaptation to the pedoclimatic conditions in the Pietroasa area and they were tested in production. The Romanian wine, competitive on the international market The belief of the winemakers and of the researchers in Pietroasa is that wine represents science, work and art, born out of the fortunate blending of a generous nature with the skills and hard work of the winemakers, refined by a special natural frame, on a blessed land, with a centuries old history and tradition. They believe that a good wine is obtained from high quality sorts, grapes that are processed in modern and performing technological lines and a conditioning and storage in appropriate conditions and they do all that they can in order for their product to be appreciated by the consumer. The Romanian wine is appreciated and competitive on an international level, but it needs a sustained promotional campaign and a similar marketing. If we were to make a ranking, the white dry wines are famous and appreciated, especially the one in the Târnave and Cotești vineyards, followed by the sweet and flavorful white wines from Pietroasa, Drăgășani and Cotnari. Afterwards come the red wines from the Dealu Mare, Murfatlar, Miniș vineyards and the winemaking centers in Mehedinți (Corcova and Halânga). In regards to their own production, the winemaking center in Pietroasa is famous on the internal market, fame given by the demand. The sorts Fetească Regală, Fetească Albă, Riesling Italian, Tămâioasă Românească, Fetească Neagră, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Busuioacă de Bohotin and Grasă de Cotnari are the most sought and appreciated. The production is sold on the internal market, in the specialized stores, and in the near future it will be available on the markets in Great Britain, Spain and a series of Asian states. The Romanian wines carry the print of the land specific to the areas in Romanian and the specificity of the local sorts, qualities appreciated by the consumers, which gives the winemakers and researchers from Pietroasa the confidence that the wines produced there will conquer the international markets even if, for now, there are great efforts done for raising their visibility and for promoting them. The Pietroasa wines received medals at the national and international competitions. A wine cellar of gold Viticulture, together with agriculture and tourism, contributes the economical re-launch of Romania, and in Pietroasa this is a well-known fact. Moreover, the idea of viticulture tourism grew well here, the visitors enjoy a special program the presentation of the history of the area and the station, of the researchers accomplishments over the years and the most representative wines from the winemaking center in Pietroasa within certain tastings. However, the main attraction point for the visitors in the wine cellar. The cellar in Pietroasa was for a long time one of the best equipped in the country, having, ever since 1940, a winemaking center equipped with modern equipment imported from Italy. The wine collection counts until now approximately bottles. The oldest go back to the 40 s, being patrimony wines with an inestimable value. In the cellar there are also wines from the 50 s, 60 s, 70 s, produced by an exceptional oenologist- Mihai Macici. The wines in Pietroasa kept gaining more and more fame, thanks to the oenologist and artisan au Gheorghe Vărăticeanu. Grasa de Pietroasa, Tămâioasa Românească, Rieslingul or Feteasca Regală that can be found in the cellar increase its value. These Treasures were recognized and their values was rewarded with over 120 medals in the national and international contests, especially for the sweet, flavorful wines for which Pietroasa has an absolute dedication

14 Wine tourism of the wine route In the last century, people didn t use to visit a vineyard. Things changed radically after the Second World War, and the evolution started from France. Later, the European countries, with a long tradition in winemaking, understood that wine is not just a liquor in a bottle it is a story, it is history and civilization, it is rural tradition. They understood that it is important for wine lovers and not only, to step on the land of grapevine, where it grows, regardless if it is on the Valley of the Loire, Sicily, the Rhine Valley or Transylvania. The wine route is actually, a touristic route, very well marked and enclosed in an area with viticulture potential and with natural touristic attractions. This can be followed by the tourists, in an organized way or individually, in certain times of the year. In 1953, in Alsace, the first wine route appeared, a concept very close to the one. This route still exists having a length of 170 km. After a short time, in Bordeaux, on the Valley of the Loire, on the Valley of the Rhone and in Burgundy there were hundreds of wine routes. Germany, Italy or Spain quickly followed the example and created new touristic routes on the Valley of the Rhine, in Tuscany and in Castile. The decrease of wine consumption, compensated by tourism France, the consumption decreased by almost 7% until 28,1 million hectoliters. On the contrary, regarding the wine consumption per inhabitant, the Americans are still behind the French who consume, in average, 1,2 bottles per week, almost six times more that the average of an American. Even so, the decrease in Europe over the last few years is significant. According to the International Organization for Vine and Wine (IOVW), between 2002 and 2011, the wine consumption per inhabitant in France, the third biggest producer in the world, after Italy and Spain, decrease with over 20%, until 46,4 liters per year. In return, during the same period, in the USA, the consumption increased by almost 17%, until 9,1 liters per year. These numbers reveal the fact that the wine market at a European level is decreasing, and it can be compensated with the increase of the touristic circulation in the winemaking areas. Viticulture in Romania is passing through a period of rebirth, the Romanians are beginning to rediscover the wines and the winemakers are becoming more and more experienced, making high quality wines. Still, despite these advantages, the connection between winemaking and tourism is still budding. Role models France is in the first place in regards to viticulture tourism. In Bordeaux, 75% of the touristic circulation is connected to winemaking, and on the Valley of the Rhone, the second largest winemaking area of the country, there is a real touristic industry oriented to viticulture accommodation places in specialized units, with an annual turnover of over 150 million euro. The same goes for Austria - in Langenlios (Lower Austria). Loisium Wine World, museum and hotel altogether, both dedicated to wine, has already become one of the landmarks of Austrian viticulture, but also a huge touristic attraction. The investment was of 24 de million euro, and the region is based solely on winemaking. Romania, country of the wine The famous Romanian vineyards Jidvei, Valea Călugărească, Niculițel, Drăgășani, Sâmburești, Odobești, Murfatlar etc., are spread all over Romania and produce wine that win prizes and medals at national and international expositions. The beauty of the vineyards and of the grapes has enchanted the souls of our ancestors and is still a point of attraction for all those who come to visit Romania. The viticulture tourism is only beginning to be savored in Romania. The first people to knock on the doors of the Romanian cellars were the foreigners, almost ten years ago. Lately, the Romanians have also learned to enjoy the beauty of our vineyards with their incredible sceneries, but also the wines produced here, that express the personality of each place, by flavors and colors. In Romania, the wine routs were conceived and launched around the In theory, we have wine routes in 11 counties. The most recent wine route was open in 2011, in Buzău, a county with an enormous viticulture and touristic potential. The route is 60 km long and starts from NR 10 (National Road) towards Pietroasele and Monteoru. The investment was of 24 million euro. The private initiative is also starting to move, so the Urlați Vinyards and the Rhein Wine cellars in Azuga receive annually approximately tourists. In Certa, a new winemaking domain in Dealul Mare, there is a spectacular wine cellar and the wine tastings here provided a new soul to the local tourism. Also, the Recaș and Murfatlar wine cellars are among the favorite places of the one who choose viniculture tourism. The Vine and Wine Museum in Drăgășani The Vine and Wine Museum in Drăgășani is placed in a building that is part of the cultural patrimony of Romania. The museum represents a blend of thousands and thousands of threads of the past and the present of the Romanian winemaking tradition. In 1974, the current museum was setup, with a winemaking specific, the collected items being displayed in three sections: Viticulture section, Art Section and Archeology Section. competitions, beginning with 1898 (the Bordeaux competition), as well as the medals obtained in the International Exposition in Paris (1900), where the Drăgășani wines obtained international acknowledgement, with the first honor diploma and the gold medal. The museum also hosts old sorts of grapevine, such as Braghina, Gordan or Crâmpoșia. Due to the importance of capitalizing the viticulture potential of the area, the local authorities have decided to modernize the Vine and Wine Museum, in order to transform it into an engine for the local tourism. Also, promoting the Drăgășani wines is also a target, as a country specific brand, by involving the Vine and Wine Museum in the viticulture tourism, an important component not only of the viticulture industry but also of the tourism industry. The Vine and Wine Museum provides a modern and innovative solution for the vineyards, meaning the possibility of building a direct relationship with the customers. For Drăgășani, the biggest challenge is represented by the promotion of the local viticulture tourism in a western style. In the present context, the viticulture tourism represents an imperative necessity. According to the experts, a wine itinerary is vital to any region with vineyards. But there is a need for a good infrastructure, amended by the local or regional administration, after which each winemaker has to be involved in the promotion of the wine cellar and of their own wines. Of course, for the wine producer, the customer who buys directly from the cellar is important, because they pay full price. But it is more important what happens later with the customer, because he goes home not only with a bottle of wine, but also beautiful memories. This is the success of the Italian wine. Tourists go on holidays in Italy, the taste a wine, they buy a bottle and then the emotional implications appear. They want to drink that wine again, in order to relieve a special moment. Especially since the places where it was bought are spectacular, they have a certain story. Put together, these details may promote a wine better than the brand itself. The Unites States of America have become, in 2013, the largest market in the world for wine, overrunning France, as the wine consumption in this country decreases. In 2013, the American consumers bought 29,1 million hectoliters of wine, increasing 0,5% comparing to 2012, while in The museum holds a large collection of traditional installations for processing the grapes, but also proof of the winemaking profession and its continuity on the respective lands. In the windows of the museum, the visitors may find the record of the Romanian wines within the international 24 25

15 People Livia Gîrboiu Winemaking as a family legacy for every wine bottle. We strongly believe that it is the man who makes the place holy and it is in our power to change something, she said. The Gîrboiu wine cellar is a family business created in The vineyards are set in the Cotești village, located in an area with a climate extremely favorable for growing grapevine and a soil rich in mineral, unique in the south-east of Romania. This area has a vast tradition in winemaking, each year it offers high quality wines. The Gîrboiu cellar produces wine particular by the uniqueness of their flavor, due to the grown varieties of grapes. The viticulture patrimony of the Gîrboiu cellar is made up of local grapevine, such as Șarba, Plăvaie, Fetească Regală, Fetească Albă, Fetească Neagră and the international ones, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling Italico, Muscat Ottonel, Gewurztraminer, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir. Since the cellar was created, the Gîrboiu family manages all the activity sectors of the company, together with a team of experts. Livia Gîrboiu, executive manager, has lived in the world of winemakers since she was little. She grew up in her grandfather s vineyard, who was very passionate about oenology, and her first job was It was challenge to start this business, and now it is a challenge to develop it. It all started ten years ago, 2005, when our family acquired approximately 50 hectares in Cotești, and one year later we started working together for the development of the cellar. The first step for becoming a powerful company was taken in 2009, when we developed a program with European funding for modernization and re-technologization, thus increasing the processing and storage capacity, and purchasing a top of the line cooling system. in the family cellar, when she was still a student. Shortly after, she took over the business from her father, becoming, at the age of 29, the youngest entrepreneur in the field and managing a business of six million euro. The Gîrboiu cellar exploits on approximately 250 hectares, local grapevine sorts that many people considered to be lost. Therefore, Plăvaie and Șarba have returned on the market, specific for the Vrancea area. It was a management decision, but also one of the specialists in the cellar. After the pedoclimatic study of the lands, it was decided that these are the sorts that may be kept with maximum yield. Shortly after finishing her studies, Livia Gîrboiu, taking over the business, found herself forced to lead a team of 60 permanent employees, plus the seasonal workers. She admits that, having the advantage of a young company, she managed to form a team of people with an average age of 35. Actually, the key to success if represented mainly by the team behind our brand, because all of them work with passion and love Without investment, you cannot keep up with the EU changes We have also obtained European funding for reconversion that were of great help in continuing our project. For the plantation we used almost 95% such funding, however for the preparation and maintenance of the land the money came from our own supply. The results are visible because the winemaking sector is the only one that has completely absorbed the European funding. The people understood that without the investment in the cellar, technology and raw materials, you cannot keep up with the changes in the European Union. The market globalization imposes a certain standardization, that, from my point of view, raises the bar when it comes to the wine s quality, said the company s executive manager. In 2006, the Gîrboiu cellar received, by means of a SAPARD project called Setting up the Winemaking Facilities Gîrboiu Cellar, the amount of 2,175 million euro. They continued with a new investment of 1,5 million euro run through a project within the NRDP , called Modernizing the Winemaking Facilities Gîrboiu Cellar, in Currently, they are working on a new re-technologization project by which they intend to access funding for the purchase of a new line of high capacity bottling, building a barrel room for the aging of the red wines and, most importantly, purchasing the equipment with which to produce sparkling wine. Promoting the Romanian wines remains a challenge Livia Gîrboiu says that in order to increase the visibility of the winemakers, the accent has to be placed on the country brand, topic that is usually brought up by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Daniel Constantin. How to obtain a good wine? Producing the wine is an entire science.the art is in making a wine that is unique and can successfully represent the cellar and the people who created it. For a select wine you need high quality grapes, modern technology, specialists in the field and most of all passion. Taking part in various international fairs has allowed us to have access to the external markets in order to study the offer of the competitors, their specificity, the consumption habit and especially, the price barriers that we may hit. Nothing is impossible. Even if it is one of the most important wine producers at a worldwide level, Romania is still short of promotional activities and of emphasizing the qualities of the local wine. However, lately, there has been a visible change, however the rhythm is too slow to fight the competitors with tradition in commercializing wine products, underlined the manager of the Gîrboiu cellar. Making reference to the grapevine sorts grown in Romania, but also to the wines, she considers that diversity is an advantage of the producers. Regarding the commercialization, the Gîrboiu cellar works on the principle that before expanding on a national level, it is important to consolidate your position on the internal market. So, at the moment, approximately 80% from the production is commercialized on the Romanian market, and the rest goes to Europe, Canada and Japan. In the past two years the export doubled its value and there is a tendency for growth, the market in China being a variant worthy of being studied

16 Sergiu Nedelea, an appreciated sommelier Elegance, refinement, attention and a low of experience. These are the attributes that define a sommelier. Who is the sommelier? He is a specialist in serving wine, the man gifted with sensorial, communication abilities that he constantly develops and completes with a very ample information and knowledge in the areas of history, geography, religion, chemistry, and physics. In Romania, the sommelier job is only relatively recent, therefore, some clarifications from a professional are welcome. Sergiu Nedelea tells us about the sommelier job. Who is Sergiu Nedelea and how did you start your career? Personally, I am a servant of the wine, a minister in the temple of this wonderful liquor. I have entered this world after 1989, initially due to the need of supporting myself during college. And here is where I stayed, inspired by the fascination of the wine over me, as a cultural support. I don t come from a vine grower family, although I was born and raised in Ploiești, at the gate of the Dealu Mare vineyard. To tell you the truth, my father was a professional in the restaurant business. Even though I have been working for some time in the business, I can t say I know everything about wine. If you say you do, then for sure you have reached a limit. Wine is such a vast universe, in a permanent evolution that it is impossible for anyone to ever say they know everything. This is why I have created «Wine- Taste», a platform for promoting the wine culture, the passion for it and the training in the area. There are practically two components: the digital one (the site and the interactive one, by means of the activities of WineTaste Agency for sommeliers and the trainings in the sommelier job. Sergiu Nedelea has a solid professional training, being, among others, manager in tourism activities, with a Tourism certificate granted by the Ministry of Regional Development and Tourism, Wine & Spirits Education Trust - W.S.E.T. Certified - Award Wines and Spirits, evaluator for NCFPTA (National Council for the Professional Training of Adults), certified by the Ministry of Labor, wine taster, certified by the National Office for Vine and Wine Products A.A.W.T.R.. Before studying for becoming a sommelier, Sergiu Nedelea graduated from Law School and has a degree in Political and Administrative Studies. Is the sommelier today the cup holder from earlier times? The sommelier job appeared in France in the 13 th century, at the court of the Avignon Papacy. The term as such, was made official in 1318, by a decree of king Filip the 5 th and designated the person responsible not only for the supply with wine of the royal court, but also with other food items. From the medieval sommelier to the contemporary one, the profession has known a long evolution. Today the sommelier is the person responsible for putting together the beverage list (not just wines) in a restaurant, for harmonizing them with the products in the wine lists, with recommending the best associations. No matter how much we may be tempted, we can t overlap the attributions of a sommelier to those of a cup holder. First, being a sommelier is a profession, while a cup holder was a public dignity. The cup holder acted more as a minister of vineyards an wines, he decided the moment of vintage, he was responsible with organizing the import and export of wines, collecting the taxes for these activities, etc. From such a position, the cup holder would recommend the best wines to the lord, but this was a secondary attribution. A sommelier has to be curious First of all, a sommelier has to be curious, he always has to be updated with the news from the vast universe of wine, gastronomy and other beverages. He has to be very well organized, and whenever possible, he has to travel as much as possible to the vineyards and wine cellars of the most representative producers. He has to read as much as possible from various areas, in order to shape as concisely and explicitly as possible the story of each wine or beverage that he recommends. In the relationship with the customers he has to be a bit diplomat, a bit of an actor, a bit of waiter or maître d hotel. Mainly, the sommelier is the architect of the good mood of the participants to a table, said Sergiu Nedelea. Is wine rather art of science? Or both? The same questions may be asked in regards to the sommelier job. Sergiu Nedelea is convinced that wine is a wonder. He is referring to, mainly, its attribute of biblical food, together with the bread. Making wine is a science that may become art from a certain level up. Regarding the sommelier job, it may remain a simple job if the one who practices it comes to a stand in regard to the knowledge acquired during the training. Instead, if he constantly perfects himself, then he may become a professional. And if he has certain qualities and dispositions, he may even become an artist in the field. The grown vine varieties, the winegrowing image of Romania Speaking about the varieties grown in Romania, Sergiu Nedelea considers that each of them is representative for the overall image of winegrowing Romania. The varieties ensure a special identity in the vast scenery of wine at a global level. Unfortunately, many valuable varieties were lost, and to blame was not only the phylloxera, but also the people. What is certain is that today, the best know three are Feteasca Albă, Regală and Neagră. Frâncușa and Zghihara have also kept their ground in their turn, coming back to the public attention in the last few years. Other varieties have been successfully resuscitated, from the same national identity need: Băbeasca Neagră and the less know Băbească Gri, Plăvaia, Crâmpoșia, Negrul de Drăgășani, Novacul, Șarba and a few others. There may still be a vine stock from other famous varieties somewhere that have been forgotten. An example in this sense is the Berbecelul variety, cultivated by a winegrower in his own yard. The specialist considers that it is the duty of all those who work in the area to take care of rebuilding the national vine patrimony. Regarding a ranking of the Romanian wines and vineyards, depending on the quality of the wine, Sergiu Nedelea doesn t want to pass irreversible verdicts. There is a vineyard ranking. It was done by the specialists in drafting the ampelographical atlases of Romania, from the famous academician Gherasim Constantinescu, to the ones today. Basically, there are vineyards in the categories A, B and C, each with sub classifications (A1, A2 etc.). Regarding a ranking of the Romanian wines according to their quality, I don t think anyone would venture to put together such ranking. It would also be unfair. The quality of wines differs from year to year, depending on the climate conditions, but also on other factors. Each wine cellar has its own evolution, oenologists change everywhere, and new technologies appear, new tendencies of the consumers. Anyway, there is a ranking done every year, by means of the competitions organized at different levels. The verdict issued by the specialists in the juries of these competitions is a reference for the people interested in rankings regarding the quality, yet without being a «irreversible verdict». The final right for an appeal and the final «verdict» is done by each consumer, depending on his own taste and level of knowledge, says Sergiu Nedelea. Regarding the quality of the Romanian wines, he says they are competitive at an international level, yet they are not visible enough. Winegrowing rebirth after the reconversion of vineyards For Romania, the decision of the European Union to reconvert the vineyards was beneficial. It was for sure a rebirth! Overall, the measure was good because it turned the producers attention form the hybrids to the noble varieties, says Sergiu Nedelea. Regarding the potential markets for the Romanian wines, the main one remains the internal one. Regarding the external ones, USA represents an interesting opportunity. No matter how difficult it may seem, the sommelier believes that the Western Europe market may successfully absorb certain Romanian wines, keeping in mind that Romania has producers who sell in countries with traditions, like France Italy or Spain. Great Britain also remains a market with a large appetite for wines, he says, it all depends in the price-quality report. The Far East, especially Japan, has turned up to be an open market. As to China, the experiences in the last few years have shown that this country may absorb large quantities of wine, and Russia has an enormous potential to be a important partner. How to recognize a good wine? Basically, the answer may be short: the wine is the result of the fermentation of the mash obtained from grapes. As long as the wine is honestly made, only from grapes, it can only be good. The differences appear from the different processing technologies, from the craftsmanship of each oenologist. Wines can be more or less spectacular, however each one is good, in its own way. And each wine has its consumer segment, either the table wines or the exclusive ones. How to recognize them? Here, the answer may be very ample. A good wine may be recognized according to the moment disposition, the meal, the moment of the day, the context of the meal and many other criteria. Further, in the search for the answer, all you can do is persevere in your own sensorial experiences, concluded Sergiu Nedelea

17 Experiences My farm Domeniul Coroanei Segarcea, business with a royal emblem After they took over the royal vineyards in Segarcea, Cornelia and Mihai Anghel now produce some of the best known wines in the country, which have been rewarded at great international competitions of the industry. They are convinced that wine means art, science, emotion, passion, work and divine goodwill. Mihai Anghel grew up near tractors, he became a mechanical engineer and he has worked in the Dacia and Oltcit factories. Cornelia Anghel is a cardiac surgeon and she has worked at the Fundeni Hospital. Remembering the years spent at their grandparents home, in Amărăștii de Jos, near Dăbuleni, she explains: I d go to the vineyard in the garden, I sowed tobacco, I harvested it, I spread it on threads. I grew up with the vineyard in the yard. Each of them had a job they were pleased with. However, they wanted something else, they reinvented themselves professionally. They became great agricultural producers. He grew cereals, she made wine, on different areas of the same domain, the Segarcea Domain of the Crown. Everything they did was with their own strength, with a lot of work, perseverance and dedication. of the Crown spread, a former winegrowing holding. At the time, they did not know anything about wine. They started learning, they visited wine cellars, they read, they went to tastings And now, 13 years later, Cornelia Anghel creates wines. A history over a century old Segarcea Domain of the Crown has worked as a winegrowing holding since The land on which the plantation can be found today was chosen by King Carol I of Romania from an area of 184,000 hectares as the most suitable area in Romania for winegrowing. From its inauguration until 1948, the plantation in Segarcea was used by the Royal Family. Between 1904 and 1908, a four-storey wine cellar was built, where the grapes harvested from the plantation restored at the beginning of the 20 th century were made into wine, in collaboration with the scientist Georges Couderc. The wine cellar represented an avant-garde construction for its time, being the first building made of reinforced concrete in Romania. It works to this day, being the core around which the current wine cellar has been extended. Thanks to the suitable area where the plantation is located (Segarcea is located on the same parallel 44 as the vineyards in Piedmont and Bordeaux), to the technology of winegrowing and winemaking, the products obtained at the Domain of the Crown became the most appreciated and most expensive in inter-war Romania. Thus, the wines of the Royal Family of Romania have won medals and have been acknowledged at the international competitions of the times. After the Second World War and until 2002, the cellar and the plantation were owned by the state. In 2002, the winegrowing domain and the cellar in Segarcea were bought from the Romanian state by Cornelia and Mihai Anghel. Tradition and modernity From 2004 onwards, the Anghel family launched a large-scale investment programme to restore the entire plantation and to rebuild the cellar in accordance with the latest grape processing and winemaking technologies. Thus, the 277 hectares of the domain have been replanted entirely with vine of select varieties, provided by nurseries from Italy (Vivai Rauscedo) and France (Mistral Nursery and Morrison Couderc). The design and construction of the plantation allowed the mechanisation of works in totality. Also, upon designing the plantation there have been chosen At the beginning, Mihai Anghel worked the land rented from the commune of Urzicuța. The business had good prospects. He bought Cerealcom Dolj for storage space. But there was another problem the storage space was too large, so he started buying land. In 2002, he won the tender for Cervina, where the lands of the former Segarcea Domain 30 31

18 the varieties that are most suitable to being planted in the area. At the moment, the structure of the plantation consists of 60% red grape varieties, 30% white grape varieties and 10% aromatic varieties. At the same time the plantation was reconstructed, the cellar was expanded, sized and refitted according to new requirements. Therefore, winemaking is done in stainless steel containers, with a controlled temperature, entirely computer-assisted. The principle of gravitational winemaking has been preserved, grape reception being done at the fourth level of the cellar, pressing at the third, fermentation at the second, and maturation of wines, in wooden barriques, at the first level, nine metres underground. The plantation produces almost 3000 tonnes of grapes per year, and the total capacity of the cellar is four million litres. Quality is not enough to conquer a market Following the investment programme carried out in the period , the Segarcea Domain of the Crown became the most modern winemaking domain in Romania. Starting with 2007, the year when the new plantation started bearing fruit, the premises of obtaining products in conformity with European quality standards have been lain down. In the period , European funds amounting to approximately two million euro have been accessed under NRDP, Axis 1, Measure 123 Increasing added value of agricultural and forestry products, and the money was used for specialised equipment for the optimisation of the technological process of making high quality wines obtained with noble grape varieties. Generally, Romanian wines are competitive on the international market and this is proven by the considerable number of medals obtained at international competitions, says Clauda Alstani, marketing manager at Domeniul Coroanei Segarcea. Quality is not always enough to conquer a market. Some of the Romanian wines, however good they may be, are overestimated, because owners hope for a quick recovery of the investment instead of understanding that a vineyard is created for your survivors, just like Greeks plant olive orchards not for themselves, but for future generations. Beyond this aspect, we are still working on a gregarious market, which follows the model every man for himself, concludes Claudia Alstani. As for a hierarchy of Romanian wines, she considers it is much too early to do it, because most vineyards are still young, after the reconversion process. But Romania is a blessed land for vine growing and we can make remarkable wines almost anywhere, from the place where the Danube enters the country up to the north, from the Western Plain to the Black Sea. For now, the market is divided between industrial producers, who manage thousands or hectares and who focus on entry-level wines and small- and medium-sized cellars, focusing on quality. National varieties tell the story of our traditions What makes Romanian wines different from those produced in countries with tradition? The marketing manager of the company states that there are two dimensions that define Romanian wine today: the first is exploiting the national variety thesaurus, with a distinct personality and which define a set of popular values. These varieties do not grow anywhere else and they can tell the story of our traditions. Another dimension is given by the fact that we, as a winemaking country, are at the beginning of a new era. The tradition of quality wine has missed, with short breaks, for almost a century thirty years of recovery of the vineyards after the phylloxera, fifty years of focus on quantity, then ten years of retrocessions when the vineyards grew wild. The age of wine began to resurrect in Romania only at the end of the 90s. With a modern vision, we can blend tradition and technology in a manner that defines us. Wines are analysed chemically, as a balance between extract, acidity and alcohol, but the road to a memorable wine, which stirs emotion in the person tasting it, is much longer. Remarkable wines always carry a smidgen of the spirit of the person who made them. The people at Domeniul Coroanei Segarcea consider that the duty of honour of the winemaker is to produce the best wine that the respective year allows. There are disastrous years, where harvests are compromised, and extraordinary years, which give you anything you may want. But mastery can be felt in difficult or mediocre years, when the way each grape is treated can make the wine exceed any expectations. Wine is made with passion, that s true, but also with a lot of work. In the cellar and in the vineyard there are no days off, no holidays, no birthdays We ve had years when we worked continuously, with no weekends off, for a few months, to be able to obtain wines above the quality that the weather may have allowed. A good wine needs to be supervised at all times, until it leaves the cellar. At every step, from the grape to selling the wine, you may do something wrong, which can destroy all the work you ve done until that moment. The wines produced by Domeniul Coroanei Segarcea are always at the disposal of the Royal Family, as there is a suitable wine for each event. It is difficult to say which one is the most appreciated, but, since Her Royal Highness Princess Margareta guarantees with her monogram and her name the limited editions Principesa Margareta, we would say that the two wines in this collection are the favourites. From 2009 onwards, Domeniul Coroanei Segarcea won over 240 international medals at competitions organised on every continent, and the collections Principesa Margareta and Minima Moralia have been tasted by the team of the famous opinion former and international taster Robert Parker, obtaining between 87 and 90 points. Along with the two premium collections, Domeniul Coroanei Segarcea sells three ranges of products on the Romanian market Elite, Prestige (Blue Train in exports) and Vardo. The newest brand launched at the beginning of this spring is called Simfonie, which is a Magnum that incorporates in a single wine the eight red varieties planted in the Segarcea vineyard: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Touriga Nacional, Fetească Neagră, Syrah and Marselan

19 My business Domeniile Viticole Franco-Române, pioneers of ecological winemaking The vines belonging to Domeniile Viticole Franco-Române are located on the smooth slopes of Istrița hill, in the middle of the Dealu Mare vineyard, in the commune of Breaza. This vineyard is representative for red varieties of grapes, except for the region between Săhăteni and Pietroasele where, as a consequence of the variety of soil structures, both varieties can be cultivated. The particularity of this vineyard is that, since 2003, the winegrowing has been ecological. Lately, we have been using more frequently the words ecological or bio, mostly in relation to food, farming and, more recently, vine and wine. In Romania, few vineyards have dared practice ecological winegrowing so far. The ecological vine plantation in Breaza has come about as a consequence of a Frenchman s desire to perfect the variety Pinot Noir. Of the 30 hectares cultivated with ecological vine, up to 30 hectolitres of wine can be obtained, but soon the cultivated area will be expanded. The main goal of ecological winegrowing, especially for controlled designation of origin regions, is to offer consumers a quality wine, typical for the origin and region it comes from, well-adapted to maturation. Then, ecological winegrowing aims to offer consumers products as healthy as possible. For this reason, no chemical fertilisers, synthetic insecticides, fungicides and herbicides are used, says the engineer Cristina Denis Thomas (partea franceză), Cristina Staicu (director general), Daniel Dorneanu (oenolog) Staicu, general manager of the company. Respect for the environment is beneficial both for man and for plant, because it allows the reinstatement of vegetal, animal and microbial biodiversity. To this end, inorganic treatments are used, which do not enter the plant s metabolism. So ecological culture needs this diversity in order to be successful. Eventually, an important result of agrobiology creates the possibility to give grapes chemical balance, which allows natural winemaking to be performed. For instance, in conventional winegrowing, wine acidification is often imposed, whereas in the case of ecological winegrowing, this situation does not occur, states Cristina Staicu. Techniques and means of ecological winegrowing At Domeniile Viticole Franco-Române, the production of ecological grapes began in The vine in Breaza became ecological thanks to the way it is cared for, the specific treatments used being entirely pollution-free. In ecological winegrowing, treating vine with pesticides, insecticides or fungicides is forbidden, but other substances can be used, such as those of organic or natural mineral origin animal- or vegetal-based compounds, manure, algae, potassium sulphates, calcium and magnesium carbonate of natural origin, calcium and magnesium of natural origin, trace elements, nettle juice or skimmed milk. As opposed to conventional winegrowers who use herbicides to fight weeds and chemical fertilisers, ecological winegrowing only uses ploughing. This makes vine roots go much deeper into the ground and thus, the wine shows the characteristics of the controlled designation of origin and of the land. As chemical fertilisers are forbidden in agrobiological crops, the winegrower has only two possibilities: cutting the shoots and leaving them on the ground as fertiliser or applying natural fertilisers, manure or other types of compost. Bigger investments In order to produce ecological wines, bigger investments are needed than in conventional ones. The costs for ecological crops are higher than those for conventional crops for three reasons. Firstly, the necessity of ploughing and, in particular, of mechanical or thermal weeding between stocks involves additional investments and costs. Then, in order to be efficient, phyto-sanitary protection in ecological winegrowing involves a higher number of treatments. Even though they are done in homeopathic doses, they need to be applied preventively and, consequently, every time before it rains. Eventually, ecological crops involve low yields, so a smaller load of grapes per stock. A kilogram of grapes in ecological winegrowing costs 20-30% more than in conventional winegrowing, states Cristina Staicu. The company Domeniile Franco-Române accessed European funds through NRDP , especially through the vineyard reconversion programme. Under Measure 121 Modernisation of agricultural holdings, accessories for a tractor have been purchased, and under Measure 123 Increasing added value of agricultural and forestry products funds for the modernisation and fitting of the cellar have been accessed. Increased interest for bio wines The Ecological certificates have already been obtained for the varieties Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot, Fetească Neagră and Pinot Noir. Nowadays, in Breaza the company produces the wines Crai Nou, obtained with red varieties, such as Pinot Noir, Fetească Neagră, Merlot, Burgund Mare and white varieties, Chardonnay and Italian Riesling. Ecological wines are sought after especially by the customers of ecological stores. But after the crisis started, sales have dropped. Nowadays, bio wines sell at fairs and in restaurants that offer bio menus to their customers, explains Cristina Staicu. There is also an export sales share, with Romanian ecological wines being appreciated in Belgium, Denmark, Poland and even France. In conclusion, the manager of Domeniile Franco-Române is convinced that, in the future, ecological wines and other products, in general, will be more and more appreciated. His opinion is backed by a recent poll according to which 63% of Romanians said they were interested in ecological wines

20 My business Recaș Wine Cellars and the secret of success development with European funds With vineyards attested since 1477, Recaș Winery is a British-Romanian company which evolved from a cellar with strictly traditional equipment, to one of the most modern in the country. The company began its activity in 2000, with the purpose of keeping the traditional of ancient vineyards, as well as adding professionalism, significant investments, but above all, passion. Now the company exploits an area of 950 hectares of vine and it is one of the largest winemakers in Romania. Tradition The first general information about winegrowing in Banat date back from the period of Roman occupation over the Dacia province, in the 3 rd century BC. Older legends say that in this land Bacchus himself, god of wine, was born and raised. In 1447, Mihail de Ciorna, Ban of Severin, bought the vineyards from Ioan and Ecaterina Magyar for 32 forints. Ever since, the region has been plagued with wars and invasions, but the vineyards have remained an integral part of the local culture and a symbol of Banat. Technological innovation Over the past ten years, the vines of the Recaș Vineyard have been replanted, and the winemaking technology has been fully modernised in order to fully control the production process, using the newest methods available. The cellar is equipped with large containers made of stainless steel, with automated temperature control for the preservation and fermentation of wine. The equipment in the primary stage of winemaking have been fully modernised, being the most performant at the moment for careful crushing, deseeding and pressing of grapes all of this to preserve quality. The investment made in the vineyard and the cellar exceeds 20,000,000, and the money has been used for the full modernisation of vine processing equipment, building storage rooms, modernisation and expansion of the cellar, which has reached a capacity of 12 million litres. In 2010, the producer in Timișoara made a total investment of 7 million : 2.5 million (65% of which from European funds) have been spent for the reconversion of a winegrowing plantation of 130 hectares with several varieties of grapes, 2 million have been invested in purchasing new equipment, 1.7 million in increasing production capacities and 700,000 for a sanitation station, one of the most modern in Europe, removing the impact of winemaking operations on the environment. In 2011, investment projects continued, 3.1 million being destined for the reconversion of a plantation of 168 hectares, a project supported 65% by European funds, 800,000 of own resources allocated for equipment replacement. At Recaș Winery the reconversion was made on the entire cultivated area and this measure is considered to have been beneficial for the continuity of cultivating vineyard with internationally renowned varieties, as well as local ones. The varieties cultivated in the Recaș vineyards have been chosen by specialists according to the potential of the soil and clones. As for local varieties, Feteasca Neagră, Feteasca Regală and Feteasca Albă are the most widespread. Behind every wine there is a story The development of the Recaș Winery brands started with retail wines, Schwaben Wein, and continued with creating wines with personality, Castel Huniade, Cocoșul dintre vii, Sole, Selene, Solo Quinta, Cuvee Uberland, Conacul Ambrozy. The results speak for themselves, and we mention the awards obtained at the most important national and international competitions, as well as the visible increase in popularity. Few of us know that every wine has a story, and the choice of the name is not random at all. Here are some of these stories: Castel Huniade Range. The history in Western Romania can be found inside the Museum of Banat in Timișoara, in a building left to his heirs by Ioan Huniade, known in history as Iancu de Hunedoara. The palace is called today Hunyad Castle (Castel Huniade). Dozens of pages can be written about the history of the building or about the deeds of the most famous ruler of Transylvania. What is the connection between this and the eponymous wine of Recaș Winery? The answer is easy they honoured their past. The specialists at Recaș Winery describe these wines as expressive, full of life, almost explosive, extremely connected to the type of contemporary art. Cocoșul dintre vii Range. Happy with the way things settled, the Recaș Winery people decided to show their gratitude to the community. This is how they discovered Raul, a disabled child who managed to win their hearts with a drawing filled with symbols, which can be seen on the collection s labels. Originally released as Cocoșul, renamed afterwards Cocoșul dintre vii, the collection has been a declaration of hope and trust for the future from the very first day. Selene Range. Made with grapes from the best parcels of vineyard on the hills of Recaș, harvested at night, to protect them from the heat and preserve their intense flavour, the Selene range appeared, inspired by the name given to the goddess of moon in Greek mythology. Selene means conquering heat, it means delight with pleasant coolness and the light of the Moon, it means passion and intensity. Sole Range. Sole is the bow made to the Sun, as an essential factor for winemaking. Sole means the joy given by the Sun, triumph over cold, it means optimism, joy, warmth, attitude and lust for life. Or, as the label says, Sole is the eternal essence of a well-lived life. Retail market on five continents The massive investments have proven their efficiency if we consider that in 2014 there have been exported over six million bottles of wine, as opposed to approximately four million the previous year, when exportations represented 40% of bottled wine deliveries. The company Recaș Winery fulfils requests from England, USA, The Netherlands, Belgium, The Czech Republic, Slovakia, Canada and Japan, as a consequence of assiduous promotion and, implicitly, of an increase in the company s visibility. Markets in Ukraine, Ireland, Finland and South Africa are also considered

21 My community Vincon Vrancea, traditional partner for independent winegrowers Vincon Vrancea has an experience of over 50 years in the industry. The company carries out its activity in the Vrancea region, the largest winegrowing area of the country, with over 1500 hectares of wine, located in four renowned vineyards Panciu, Odobești, Huși and Cotești. Modern technology, equipment and performant bottling lines offer the company the real possibility of obtaining high quality wines, sold both on the internal market and abroad. Established in 1949, Vincon Romania was privatised in 1999, and Luchi Georgescu has been the majority shareholder and president of the company ever since. All four vineyards mentioned above are famous due to the multi-centennial tradition of winegrowing and, implicitly, of winemaking, confirming the passion and professionalism of those who continued to consider wine as the quintessence of Romanian spirit. Vincon is the traditional partner of independent winegrowers and wine research stations in the mentioned areas, with these winegrowers proving in time that winemaking and winegrowing are occupations that have survived despite the vicissitudes that our country has faced throughout history. Moreover, the local community benefits from the opportunities that a large company offers, the most important of them being jobs. Luchi Georgescu, president of Vincon Romania Reconversion, the rebirth of Romanian winegrowing Vincon, like many other Romanian producers, used the European financial aid meant for the support of the sector. Vrancea is the largest winegrowing area in Romania, which is why producers were very interested in programmes that were carried out with European aid. At the beginning, there have been considerable investments in purchasing winegrowing land, then large-scale projects of restructuring and reconversion have been started, meant to offer, first of all, young and healthy plantations and, at the same time, plantations providing a structure of varieties that respond to the necessities of the company and to the medium- and long-term development plans. In the period, Vincon invested over 5.5 million, 3.7 million of which in vine reconversion, 1.2 million for purchase of equipment, 250,000 in developing the car park, 200,000 for purchase of land and the rest of the money in the sanitation station in Cârligele, which was a benefit for the local community, as well. In , the programme continued with replanting vine of noble varieties, with a total budget of 3.5 million. The plans were founded starting from consumers preferences. Thus, from the total of exploited plantations, over two thirds of the entire surface, namely 968 hectares, have already been reconverted, and to this surface shall be added the projects pending finalisation. As for reconversion, Luchi Georgescu believes this measure has been nec- essary, as the execution of the programme actually meant the rebirth of Romanian winegrowing. However, the road to promoting Romanian wines on the international market is just beginning and we will need constant effort in the future regarding communication, information and marketing of wine products, says Mr Georgescu. This is a long, costly process that will need to be followed by each of those who want to build a durable celebrity for their product, but also for Romania as a winegrowing and winemaking country. Wines made from local varieties Vincon Romania has some of the most appreciated cellars in the country, the company s portfolio covering all segments of consumption. For this reason, it holds a balanced percentage in the categories of both table wines and varietal wines. The Beciul Domnesc cellar, the largest wine collection in Romania, holds over 100,000 bottles of wine, the oldest ones dating back to Established during Stephen the Great s rule, it was renovated between 1834 and 1839, during Mihail Sturdza s rule. Here you can admire a remarkable collection of wines, from new varieties to aged ones, matured for over 60 years. Vincon Vrancea has over 65 years of experience in the field, supported on the performances it has in each and every cellar. At the moment, the management of the winemaking plantations and the entire grape production is done through the 11 winegrowing farms, and the management of the winemaking flow and storage falls under the responsibility of the 11 winemaking cellars that the company owns

22 As for the cultivated grape varieties, at the beginning, they were specific to the region - Galbenă de Odobești, Fetească Albă, Zghihara de Huși as for those of red grapes reaching exceptional performance in these areas, Merlot, Cabernet and Pinot Noir. Later on, the company managed to use over 30 varieties of grapes for wine, meant to respond to consumers preferences. The structure of the current varieties offers a large range of wines Grasă, Tămâioasă Românească, Busuioacă de Bohotin, Fetească Regală, Fetească Neagră, as well as a range of international varieties, such as Muscat Ottonel, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rhein Riesling. Choosing varieties after reconversion was done by the management team together with specialists, their selection aiming to complete the company s portfolio and optimise the way the winegrowing potential of the vineyards of Huși, Panciu, Odobești and Cotești can be valorised. Quality wine, related to the place and the people Luchi Georgescu says that Romanian wines are appreciated by foreign partners. The quality of wine is due not just to the territory, but also to winemaking technologies and the specialists in the field. Today, Romanian wines, no matter their origin, have a quality that allows them to stand beside wines produced in the rest of the world. As for the competitiveness of Romanian wines, the road to take is long. The number of customers should grow, and so should the sold quantities, and retail markets should diversify. To take these steps, though, beyond the efforts of each producer, they need to join efforts with a national policy to promote wine, where we should state for the long term the main directions for action and the stages for each of them whether we are speaking of producers or the authorities, says the president of Vincon. The company sells its products on the markets of EU member states, as well as Canada or China. They cannot make a classification of the most requested wines, because each market has its own specificity. But a portfolio of over 165 distinct products offered by Vincon to its customers is enough to cover their preferences. As for expanding to third markets, the Vincon team considers any market has its potential, which depends on each company working in the industry, on the way they know how to valorise the specificity of these markets. Anyway, we need to consider a multitude of factors, such as the population, the incomes and education of consumers, as well as the quality of the products provided. What makes Romanian wines different from those produced in countries with tradition? This is a question that Luchi Georgescu answers clearly. Beyond the specificity of Romanian varieties, we are speaking about wines that make a difference with the characteristics that each territory gives to wine. That is precisely why each variety planted in a different winegrowing region of the world offers a distinct savour. Tasting wines of a single variety, cultivated and produced in several countries, is like a journey in those countries we will definitely have notable memories, new experiences, which will follow us throughout our lives, memories we will want to live again and again every time we have the chance to do so. Wine is made by people, for people Wine is a product that is born thanks to favourable nature, it is a result of the work of a team of professionals who blend science and passion. Wine is made by people, for people. Perhaps that is why when we speak of a quality wine, we speak of personality, character, performance, says the president of Vincon. He knows that in order to be born, a good wine needs everything a child needs healthy parents, a suitable environment, passion, work, attention 24/7, good people to accompany it and guide it throughout its life. The president of Vincon tells us that, in time, he has learned that there are no years that are good for wine in general, but there are years when a certain wine, of a certain region, reaches extraordinary quality. Every year, we have managed to obtain batches of exceptional wines. But there have been years when the majority of the production was of great quality. The field itself involves a series of challenges, starting with nature, which challenges us every year in a different manner, continuing with financial ones, at a global or individual level. I d say there are countless challenges, but what is important is the way we deal with them and the way we try to solve them. Wine collections offered by Vincon Vrancea Galbena de Odobești is not just a variety of grapes, but also an iconic wine of the company and the Odobești Vineyard. Beciul Domnesc is a brand of wines which has managed to be classified in top Superbrands in Romania. Egregio is a brand that meets the requirements of refined consumers. Ambrosio is a Super Premium brand, obtained from varieties of exceptional quality, winning multiple medals at the World Competition in Brussels

23 Up-to-date Leader LAG Munții Metaliferi, Trascău and Muntele Mare Constant actions for the development of the local community The Local Action Group Munții Metaliferi, Trascău și Muntele Mare (GAL MMTMM) covers the territory of the city Baia de Arieș and communes Cricău, Galda de Jos, Ighiu, Livezile, Lupșa, Întregalde, Mirăslău, Mogoș, Ocoliș, Ponor, Poșaga, Rimetea, Râmeț, Sălciua, Stremț and Unirea. The partnership LAG MMTMM consists of 18 administrative and territorial units, Alba County Council, 14 NGOs and 24 private partners. From a geographical and ethnographical point of view, LAG MMTMM is part of the area of the Apuseni Mountains and overlaps the Mocănime area. Mission The main mission of LAG MMTMM is the sustainable development of the communities in the area of Metaliferi and Trascău Mountains and Muntele Mare, and their surroundings, afferent to the territory of the partnership. To fulfil its mission, LAG MMTMM Working meeting will act to achieve the priorities established by the local development strategy (LDS) which will comply with the main lines of action of sustainable development, namely the fight against poverty and social exclusion, production of sustainable goods and services and environmental protection. A territory that keeps traditions alive The area of Metaliferi and Trascău Mountains and Muntele Mare is mostly mountainous, except for the villages on the foothills of Trascău and along the Mureș River. The Metaliferi Mountains spread to the north-western and southern part of the basin of the Valley of Ampoi River. Trascău Mountains are not very high, but they are well-inhabited, with smooth surfaces, such as Ciumerna Bedeleu and Râmeț - Ponor. The massive presence of limestone has determined the development of all specific landforms plateau karst, isolated massifs, crest karst and many olistoliths. Muntele Mare is located in the north of the Valley of Arieș River. The massif is formed of crystalline schists that generated a relief with heavy, massive forms, large interfluves, separated by narrow, deep valleys. The central part is occupied by an L-shaped granite massif (igneous rock), which gives the area around the main peak the aspect of a high plain, marshy on large surfaces. The highest peak is the Muntele Mare, with 1,826 metres (the third highest in the Western Carpathians). The foothills of Trascău are the intermediate step between the mountains and the Mureș River. They look like large interfluves, winding down smoothly to the terraces of the Mureș River. The Mureș River Corridor is a contact unit that separates the Apuseni Mountains from the Transylvanian Plateau. It has a low altitude, between 220 m (where it joins Sebeș River) and 270 m (where it joins Arieș River). Eight terraces of the Mureș River are highlighted, well used in agriculture, favouring the development of settlements. Râmeț Autumn landscape Local traditions on the territory of LAG MMTMM are related mostly to the most important Christian holidays Easter and Christmas. Other customs are related to various works done in common, like farming in common and sewing bees. They usually ended with dances (hora). Road in Unirea financed through LAG MMTMM Massive absorption of funds The activity of implementing the LDS on the territory of LAG MMTMM began in March 2013 with an allocated amount of 2,550,000, over 90% of which has been contracted, with a 30% percentage of reimbursement. Projects financed through LDS of LAG MMTMM Project name Purchase of equipment for public services Purchase of equipment for public services Modernisation of Deal Street in the locality of Țelna Road maintenance and interventions in case of natural disasters Rehabilitation of communal road DC106:DJ750C-Valea Bucurului Integrated project for the purchase of backhoe loader and organisation of holidays Integrated project for the modernisation of Axente Sever Street Integrated project for road modernisation and equipping of cultural centre Modernisation of road infrastructure and asphalting of Băltăreț Street Equipping of cultural centre in the commune of Băișoara Road modernisation in the commune of Sălciua Rehabilitation of town hall in the commune of Râmeț and purchase of multifunctional equipment Building of recreational centre in the locality of Mirăslău Rehabilitation of inter-village road Vale în Jos Modernisation of road Valea Lupșii (length of 440 m) Purchase of a multifunctional equipment for emergency situations Equipping the emergency situations service of the cultural centre Modernisation of forest road Valea Hărmăneasa Modernisation of farming access road DJ107 Modernisation of farming access roads in the village of Dealu Caselor Purchase of topographic equipment Planning of space for body maintenance services Promotion of touristic area in the commune of Râmeț Establishment of bicycle rental centre and recreational parks Promotion of touristic area in the commune of Mirăslău Goals of LAG MMTMM Economic development of communities; Ecological reconstruction and conservation of protected natural areas, including Nature 2000 sites; Restoration and conservation of sites; Protecting disadvantaged social categories from the communities; Promoting and conserving moral, cultural and worship values; Promoting the principles of democracy, the rule of law and equal opportunities; Physical and intellectual development of young people; Promoting national and international partnerships. Holder Commune of Ocoliș Commune of Stremț Commune of Ighiu Commune of Poșaga Commune of Ponor Commune of Întregalde Commune of Cricău Commune of Galda Commune of Unirea Commune of Băișoara Commune of Sălciua Commune of Râmeț Commune of Mirăslău Commune of Ponor Commune of Lupșa Commune of Râmeț Commune of Sălciua Town of Baia de Arieș Commune of Mogoș Commune of Sălciua SC Matera Prest SC ELYADE SRL Commune of Râmeț SC Gabriel SRL Commune of Mirăslău 42 43

24 LAG Valea Trotușului Bacău valorises the opportunities in the area It is an associative structure consisting of a public-private partnership, with 12 public entities and 24 private ones. The territory of Association Local Action Group Valea Trotușului Bacău covers 12 communes - Helegiu, Bârsănești, Târgu Trotuș, Gura Văii, Buciumi, Ștefan cel Mare, Căiuți, Coțofănești, Urechești, Mănăstirea Cașin, Cașin and Soveja (Vrancea County), has a surface of square km and a stable population of 56,684 inhabitants. The Association Local Action Group Valea Trotușului Bacău is based on an open and dynamic approach of all the problems in the territory that require the involvement of social and economic operators in the area, through formal or informal groups, communities, societies or commercial operators, non-profit organisations, cooperatives and associations, public institutions and authorities. Planning the local development of the territory of Valea Trotușului aims to draft a new model for an integrated strategy, a balanced, adaptable development based on the introduction of new technologies in various sectors. The development is based on balanced, comprehensive planning that takes into account the social-economic reality of the scope. Moreover, it gives priority to endogenous values, increases valorisation and exploitation of the opportunities in the area, according to which the planning of the social-economic development will be designed. Beneficiaries of the development strategy A first category of beneficiaries is SMEs, considered to be pillars of economic growth, generating added value, jobs and technological innovation. They are followed by farmers, with whom the focus lies on the diversification and development of semi-subsistence farms. Another concern of the association is organising actions for the young people in the territory of the LAG, which promote activities adapted to the age and which aim to develop civic and entrepreneurial spirit among this category of inhabitants in the area. LAG Valea Trotușului promotes equal opportunities through projects for women qualification or requalification, integration on the labour market, decision-making power, avoiding discrimination of women and fighting domestic violence. At the same time, it promotes projects for disadvantaged categories, aiming for their social integration. Another point of interest is association and cooperation at every level, both through activities that raise awareness about the importance of associating, as well as through activities that directly support associations, partnerships and groups. Environmental protection is also part of the association s concerns, which organises information programmes, as well as clear activities. The directing line of the entire activity plan is promoting economic and social development, which obviously involves attracting financial resources. Implementing such a local development plan is necessary to reduce disparities between rural and urban areas, to solve the problems in the territory with solutions coming from within, with the support and commitment of the entire rural society. Most projects are for village development In 2011, the Association Local Action Group Valea Trotușului Bacău signed with the Agency for Payments for Rural Development and Fisheries the financing contract to grant the non-refundable financial aid amounting to 2,360, lei (571,358 ). Within the Association, 89 projects declared compliant have been submitted, 74 of which have been submitted to AFRI, and 45 projects signed a financing contract amounting to 1,901,628, of a total of 2,285,433, the allocated amount for the measures in the LDS. Under Measure Village renewal and development, 20 projects have been financed, four are being evaluated, and all of them focus on developing basic services for the rural population. Commune of Căiuți Building of sports facility 47,535. Commune of Cașin Planning of sports field in the village of Cașin 48,013. Commune of Gura Văii Modernisation of multifunctional sports facility in the locality of Gura Văii 48,053. Commune of Soveja Building of sports facility, village of Rucăreni 47,463. Commune of Ștefan cel Mare Planning of sports field in the village of Ștefan cel Mare 47,475. Commune of Târgu Trotuș Planning of sports field in the village of Târgu Trotuș 47,162. Commune of Buciumi Equipping of cultural centre in the village of Răcăuți 46,414, non-refundable support. Commune of Bârsănești Purchase of equipment (backhoe loader) for maintenance of roads in the commune of Bârsănești 77,700. Commune of Căiuți Modernisation of local road Zona CFR, village of Căiuți 38,548. Commune of Cașin Building of a bridge for light motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic over the river Cașin in the point Nalboc-Stadion 77,800. Commune of Coțofănești Light bitumen coating of local road, village of Coțofănești 48,330, as well as Building of recreational park in the village of Borșani 32, 082. Commune of Gura Văii Modern- Members of LAG Valea Trotușului Bacău isation of communal road in the locality of Dumbrava 60,244. Commune of Helegiu Changing of destination of Brătila School and establishing of recreational centre for the local population, commune of Helegiu 95,914. Commune of Mănăstirea Cașin Building of pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic bridge in the village of Lupești, over Cașin River 48,688 and Purchase of mobile equipment for emergency situations 17,264. Commune of Soveja Purchase of equipment for the establishment of the local public snow clearance service 77,958. Commune of Urechești Building of recreational centre for the rural population 68,000. Cultural Association Căluțul Purchase of folk costumes and musical instruments ethnographic area Lower Trotuș 6,953. Under Measure Improvement and development of infrastructure for development and adaptation of the agricultural and forestry sectors, the following projects have been submitted: Commune of Căiuți Modernisation of holding road Former line CF Căiuți-Pralea - 74,945. Commune of Helegiu Modernisation of agricultural holding road DE 998, village of Deleni 75,000. Commune of Mănăstirea Cașin Correction of torrents of river Răchiților 75,000. Commune of Soveja Metalling of agricultural holding road in the commune of Soveja 73,616. Commune of Ștefan cel Mare Correction of torrent in the village of Bogdana 93,419 and Modernisation of holding road Urluiac, village of Negoiești 69,828. Commune of Urechești Prevention and protection works against floods affecting agricultural surfaces afferent to the river Vișan, village of Cornățel 75,000 and Modernisation of agricultural holding road Lunca Dochiei Trotuș Bridge, Commune of Urechești 99,793. Under Measure Modernisation of agri-zootechnical farms the following projects have been submitted: Stoica A. Sorin Individual Enterprise Purchase of equipment for the vegetable farm of IE Stoica A. Sorin village of Buciumi 17,200. Hârlea Silviu Vasile Purchase of equipment tractor and reversible plough for the agricultural holding Hârlea Silviu Vasile Commune of Helegiu 16,651. Fudulache Ioan Purchase of tractor for agri-zootechnical holding Fudulache Ioan 17,000. Neagu George Purchase of agricultural equipment, village of Viișoara, commune of Târgu Trotuș 16,134. Vlăsie I. Răzvan Ionel Individual enterprise Purchase of equipment for the mixed farm of the commune of Ștefan cel Mare 7,250. Rural recreation equipment, commune of Ștefan cel Mare Under Measure Creation and development of micro-enterprises the following projects have been submitted: Căpățâni Caesar Alexandru PFA Purchase of equipment for photographic activities 4,155. Geană Tică Individual Enterprise Establishment and equipping craftsman activity for the performance of non-agricultural productive activities in rural areas 12,014. Berbece I. Aurel Individual Enterprise Motor vehicle and agricultural equipment repair shop - 10,481. Bulilete Gina-Mirela PFA Purchase of equipment for land preparation works 45,493. SC Adam Dent SRL Equipping of dentist office in the commune of Mănăstirea Cașin 10,954. SC Gillconta SRL Purchase of IT equipment for a company with accounting activities 5,250. SC PLAN MANAGEMENT SRL Purchase of equipment for coating, lattice masts and terraces works in constructions 11,550. Ungureanu Ovidiu PFA Establishment of photographic art studio in the village of Pralea, commune of Căiuți 14,992. Jderu Rodica Purchase of equipment for printing and related services 49,999. Under Measure Encouraging of touristic activities, the following projects have been submitted: Beneficiary Dima Cătălin PFA Investment in recreational activity in the commune of Mănăstirea Cașin 9,802. XTREME MOTION EVENTS SRL Purchase of equipment for rural recreational activities in the commune of Ștefan cel Mare 23,267. All the projects are contracted and are being implemented. Within the Association Local Action Group Valea Trotușului Bacău, training and information activities for local leaders have been carried out, with symposiums, courses, conferences

25 MARD NEWS AND EVENTS Daniel Constantin: We have 250 million euro available in European funds for the reconversion of the vineyards Areas cultivated with local varieties of vine have increased by over 40%, and today our country can export Romanian wines to countries such as Germany, The Netherlands, Great Britain, as well as the USA or China, declared the Minister of Agriculture And Rural Development, Daniel Constantin, upon the release of the book Wineries of Romania. I am very glad we have increased the amount of local varieties by more than 40%. For the period there were allocated 210 million, with a degree of absorption of 100% as regards reconversion/replantation. The prospect is even better, we have more funds for the coming years: 250 million for beneficiaries. All these things will give us reasons to publish a few more books about Romanian wines in the future, he added. The wine industry and Romanian wineries have developed a lot recently and that is why I believe Romanians should know these things. The book Wineries of Romania does not only include winemaking sites, but also tourist attractions. I thank those who have worked on this book: Cătălin Dan Boboc, the president of the Association of Authorised Tasters from Romania, Cătălin and Daniela Păcuraru, wine critics and the creators of International Wine Contest Bucharest. With this occasion, I promise I will start visiting the wineries in our country, underlined Daniel Constantin. Then the Minister visited the Wine Princess Wineries. I congratulate Mr Balla Geza for the extraordinary vineyard he has developed 100 hectares of noble vine. A champion of European funds, due to the fact that all the hundred hectares have undergone, since 2008, the process of reconversion/replantation financed with European funds. Moreover, SAPARD European funds have been attracted for the boarding house and EAFRD funds for winemaking. The reconversion programme for winegrowing will continue. Good luck, everyone! concluded Daniel Constantin. The book Wineries of Romania contains detailed information about producers and the 143 vineyards in our country. MARD wants a national brand for wines This April, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development organised a debate regarding the uniqueness of Romanian wines, coordinated by the wine specialist Marinela Vasilica Ardelean, personal advisor of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. With this meeting, MARD opened the series of debates that will lead to the creation of a national brand for Romanian wines, which enjoy, thanks to a dynamic increase in quality, worldwide recognition. MARD brought together for the debate representatives of producers, associations in the industry, sommeliers and marketing and promotion professionals. The idea that occurred following the discussions was that we need to create a national brand to support the promotion of Romanian wines abroad and in the country, to their true value. A first step in this direction will be promoting wines obtained from traditional Romanian varieties at the world exhibition Expo Milano 2015, which takes place between 1 May and 31 October NRDP Caravan In Șagu, Arad County, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Daniel Constantin, started the Caravan for the promotion of the National Rural Development Network. It will help provide active partnerships between the public, private and non-governmental sectors in rural areas. During my visit in the county, I aimed to visit a few locations in the area where investment works are being carried out, which can be considered models of good practice. And what is very important for me is that I can, once more, talk directly to the beneficiaries of European funds and with local officials, in order to provide information about the mechanism of accessing European money, said the Minister. Daniel Constantin also spoke to the villagers in Covăsânț about accessing European funds, as well as about Romanian rural areas in a European context. Many farmers told me, during my visits in the country, that they do not always have information about the opportunities for accessing European funds. So I decided, as the Minister of Agriculture, to make the network popular in order to communicate much more easily with you about the measures and financing possibilities with European funds, added the Minister. George Turtoi: We will publish consolidated guides for the measures of the NRDP. We want beneficiaries to have no more uncertainties and to submit projects. George Turtoi, the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, declared, referring to the number of projects submitted so far for NRDP , that for sub-measure 4.1 Investments in agricultural holdings only two financing projects have been submitted, although the launch session was organised at the middle of March As for sub-measure 6.1 Business start-up aid for young farmers, launched in the same period, the number of those who applied for European funds approaches 80. We have only two projects for sub-measure 4.1. The reason is that there has been continuous teasing from advisors and farmers. They did not trust to submit the project directly, they requested many clarifications and a lot of primary advisory services, considering it is a new system, a new way of assessment, especially that we have this so-called penalty if the project is overestimated by more than 20% of the real mark. For this reason, they were reluctant about submitting projects, said George Turtoi. As for sub-measure 6.1 Business start-up aid for young farmers, according to data provided by AFRI, 78 projects have been submitted so far, with a total non-refundable amount of 3,340,000. George Turtoi said that in order to solve these situations, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will publish several consolidated guides for the financing measures in NRDP When we launch all the sessions of the NRDP, in July, we will also publish consolidated guides for sub-measures 4.1 and 6.1. Thus, I hope beneficiaries will have no more uncertainties and they will submit projects without problems. The consolidated guides will also create more certainty both for applicants and for advisors, added the secretary of state. The 2015 session for projects to be financed under NRDP ends on 30 October 2015, the deadline for submission of projects. For the National Rural Development Programme , European financing amounting to 8.12 million is provided, with an extra 1.34 million as co-financing from the state budget

26 NRDN Members Introduce Themselves RDCVO Odobești identifies technologic solutions for the development of an ecological winemaking SCDVV Odobești is located in the Odobești Vineyard, Odobești winegrowing centre, and its main activity is the scientific and technologic research in winegrowing and winemaking, valorisation in production of the results of research with a view to the quantitative and qualitative increase of the quality grape and wine production, under the conditions specific to the influence area, namely the counties of Vrancea and Bacău. After the attack of phylloxera, the recovery of Romanian winegrowing and the need for competent management of the field have required, at the middle of the fourth decade of the 19 th century, the establishment of the Experimental Winegrowing Station Odobești. The station s history covers several decades the first endeavours for its establishment done by the Ministry of Agriculture began in A letter of the mayor of the city of Odobești (1935), addressed to the Direction of Winegrowing within the Ministry of Agriculture and Domains mentioned that for the establishment and functioning of a winegrowing station, we offer a space in the building of the secondary school. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture allocated funds amounting to 300,000 lei to be used for the purchase of the necessary equipment for the endowment of the station to be established the following year. The date of establishment of the station is confirmed in Decision no /1936 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Domains which approves a fund of 130,865 lei from the budget for the endowment of the winegrowing station. Governed until 4 May, 1938 to the Ministry of Agriculture and Domains, the Odobești Station moved at that date to the Institute of Agronomic Research of Romania, following Order no. 246/4 May 1938 issued by the Minister. In 1939, the Institute of Agricultural Research of Romania bought from the owner Paulina Brăiescu 512 hectares of vineyards in Odobești, for the Odobești Station. Starting with the year 1949, the technical and material facilities of the biology and improvement sector are created, consisting of an ampelographic collection, and the first clonal crops are started, with a surface of 9 hectares. In the period , the station went through the stage with the most significant achievements the equipping of laboratories has been improved and researchers who carried out activities in the field of wine genetics and microbiology have been employed. Office of RDCVO ODOBEȘTI After 1990, the station underwent a process of reformation, territorial compression and technical-scientific reorganisation so that, after 2000, the institution reorganised on new, modern backgrounds, as far as research was concerned. The material facilities of the unit are modern, and research laboratories are fitted with the necessary equipment to make indepth, quality studies. Today, SCDVV Odobești is a public institution with legal personality, governed by ASAS Bucharest, and functioning based on G.D. 27/2006, Law 45/2009 and Law 72/2011, it has a wholly state-owned capital and it carries out research, development and innovation activities in the field of winegrowing and winemaking. SCDVV Odobești owns and manages a total surface of hectares, agricultural and non-agricultural land indispensible to its research, development and innovation activities. New varieties, the result of fruitful research Today, the station is governed by the Gheorghe Ionescu-Șișești Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences the national scientific forum for agriculture, veterinary medicine, food industry, forestry and environmental protection and directly coordinated by the Institute of Research & Development for Winegrowing and Winemaking Călugărească. The fields for research are vine genetics and improvement, producing propagating material of superior biologic categories, vine agrotechnics, producing winegrowing propagating material, vine agri-chemistry and physiology, winemaking and wine microbiology. The research and development activities combine Nursery supplier of topgraft cuttings Isolator breeder greenhouse fundamental and applied research, focusing on the identification of technological solutions for the development of ecological and sustainable winegrowing, aligned to international standards. The research activity of the unit is carried out both based on research contracts concluded with contracting Putna variety authorities based on research projects won in a competition system, as well as through its own thematic plan. The station carried out, in the period , 13 complex research projects, in two of which it has been the coordinator. In SCDVV Odobești 18 new genotypes have been obtained and homologated eight varieties and 10 clones. Today, SCDVV Odobești conserves a rich winegrowing seed fund (ampelographic collection with over 180 varieties and local and foreign vine clones, comparative fields with hybrid and clone elites, attempt fields, hybrid and HPD sapling fields). Within the Development Sector, the nursery of the biologic category Base has been created, with a surface of 0.68 hectares, and Certified 2.67 hectares, on which there is planted virus infection-free material from recommended and/or authorised winegrowing varieties for which the station is designated maintainer. In the vineyard s crops we can find six Romanian varieties: Odobești Yellow, Plăvaie, Fetească Albă and Fetească Regală, for white wine, and Băbească Neagră and Fetească Neagră, for red wine. More recently, the station has produced wines obtained from varieties created not very long ago at the Odobești Research & Development Station for Winegrowing and Winemaking, such as Șarba and Băbeasca Gri, for white wine, and Codană, for red wine

27 The AGAPIS Foundation, engine for the local development in Valea Barcăului The AGAPIS Foundation is a non-governmental organisation, constantly involved in projects for the community, since At the beginning, it was just a local organisation, focusing on the development of the commune of Ileanda (Sălaj County), implementing projects supported by local initiatives. Today, the AGAPIS Foundation is one of the most active and experienced local NGOs, whose aim is the sustainable development of communities in Sălaj County. The AGAPIS Foundation provides advice and technical support in the establishment and implementation of community development strategies, it supports small producers and promotes local products, the traditional village and calls for the valorisation of the touristic potential in the region Valea Barcăului, supports entrepreneurship and active social inclusion, stimulates social responsibility and volunteering. One of the main priorities of the foundation is making small producers aware of the economic benefits that can be obtained by continuing traditional agricultural practices, through responsible tourism or efficient marketing of local products, from a local type of plum jam (silvoiță), cheese, meat products, homemade bread to cherry brandy or honey and other beekeeping products. Therefore, understanding the importance of community development through a valorisation of local resources insufficiently exploited, the AGAPIS Foundation works closely with local communities, aiming to improve their living conditions, observing the principles of durable and sustainable development. Technical assistance for communities The Foundation evaluates and gives priority to the needs of the community, gives assistance in drafting and implementing community projects and provides training services in community development and project management. The target groups for such projects are disadvantaged or marginalised communities, the institutions of local public administration, non-governmental organisations. The activities they carry out for the communities are collecting data about them, identifying formal and informal leaders, meetings, focus groups, creating initiative groups and drafting activity plans. Development and counselling in project writing AGAPIS is involved in providing assistance for local communities, in writing economic, social and cultural development projects and programmes in partnership with the communities, including projects proposed for financing with EU programmes. The target groups are community organisations, institutions of local public administration, non-governmental organisations, private companies, associations of producers, trade associations and other operators involved in the process of local development. The foundation is involved in finding solutions to support the development of the community, it makes proposals and writes projects, and it provides assistance for their implementation. Agri-tourism and local products The foundation supports durable agricultural development, traditional products and the local specificity, contributing to raising awareness among the local community on the economic and cultural importance of the area. It also explains the benefits that can be obtained from traditional farming and responsible tourism, providing support to small producers of traditional products, from advice in certification of traditional products and creating a local identity to creating connections between local producers and the market. The target groups are community organisations, independent producers, associations of producers, trade associations and other operators involved in the process of local development. ONGOING PROJECTS Purebred goats donating 34 goats to destitute families in the commune of Rus (Sălaj County). Thus, the beneficiary families will improve their diet and obtain additional income from selling the surplus. Promoting beekeeping on the Valley of Someș River donating five beehives to 15 families. Project created in order to increase the incomes of locals and to improve their diet by introducing beekeeping as a new activity for the community. Purebred cows and artificial insemination project launched in the commune of Măeriște (Sălaj County). 51 cows of the breed Romanian Bălţata have been distributed. According to the principle Passing on the gift, the first beneficiaries will donate the first female calf to another family. Spending my leisure time in the country! The project is an alternative for leisure time for the young people in Zalău and the communes of Sâg, Boghiș and Valcău de Jos and it aims to help them discover the villages of Zalău County on the bicycle

28 You are invited to contribute to this magazine Do you wish to share your rural development experience for potential publication in the magazine? Participation guidelines These guidelines only provide sugges tions aimed to harmonize contributions. Authors understand that the magazine can modify the received text in order to make it more comprehensible. Author: Name, first name and current occupation. Introduction: Insert a brief introduction to underline the presented topic. Article length: words. Accurate information: Only submit information of which you are 100% certain and which you can prove. Mention the source of information when you present data emanating from other institutions or organizations. Style: Since it is a magazine article, it is preferable that the article does not resemble a report. That is why we recommend: simple wording; relevant data to support the main idea and not all the projectrelated details; avoiding excess of acronyms; the full name followed by the acronym must be inserted when used for the first time in the text; avoiding comments and external references which can be controversial or misunderstood. Photos and images The images must illustrate an experience. Images will be sent as separate electronic files (high resolution >300 dpi and > 850 KB). All the files containing images will be sent in.jpeg format Please include a short title for each sent photo/image, as well as the photographer/author s name. Letters to the editor The letters must refer to a topic of rural development and not exceed 200 words. Editors can modify the text in order to adjust it to the necessary style, length, clarity and accuracy and do not guarantee that all the letters will be published. When there are space limitations, letters which are not published in the magazine will be posted on the RNDR website. We invite you to send us your experiences, photos, letters and articles to: publicatii@rndr.ro 52

29 Open to the Future ROOTS OF A EUROPEAN COUNTRY CONTACT: National Headquarters of the Network Support Unit (NSU) Nicolae Filipescu Street, 6th floor, 2nd district, Bucharest, postal code Tel.: , Fax: info@rndr.ro, Internet: This publication was created by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Romania, within the project Setting up and supporting the National Rural Development Network. A project co-financed through EAFRD under Measure 511 of the National Rural Development Program July 2015 The content of this material does not necessarily represent the official position of the European Union. Distributed free.