Romania's grape crop lower by a quarter due to rain, hailstone, but wine could turn out exceptional this year

Due to rains and hailstone, Romania’s grape crop will be lower by a quarter this year compared to 2012, which was a normal year. Compared to 2013, when Romania’s grape production was one of the largest ever recorded, the drop is even bigger. This will also influence wine production, which will be lower, but the quality of this year’s wines might be “exceptional” if the weather stays warm in the following weeks, according to the local wine producers’ union. “Some wine regions have been affected by hailstone, especially in Banat, Mehedinti, Dragasani and Tulcea,” said Ovidiu Gheorghe, general manager of the wine producers’ union, quoted by Agerpres. Grape harvest was delayed by two weeks compared to a normal year, which could help the grapes develop better flavours, and the wine quality goes above expectations. In 2013, Romania’s grape production was of 950,000 tons and in 2012 it was 746,000 tons. editor@romania-insider.com