The wines produced by vineyard Podgoria Cotnari were awarded with six gold and two silver medals at this year’s edition of the Vinarium International Wine Contest, the most important relevant competition in Eastern Europe, write Agerpres.

The gold and silver medals won at the Vinarium 2023 reward the work of those from the Cotnari vineyard for obtaining the best quality wines. The gold medals were awarded to Tamaioasa Romaneasca, Francusa, Busuioaca de Bohotin, Feteasca Neagra, from productions from different years, and silver was awarded to Feteasca Neagra sparkling vinified in Rose and to a blend of Tamaioasa Romaneasca and Francusa, from different productions.

„For Podgoria Cotnari only native varieties are specific. The entire area of 1,750 hectares is cultivated with local varieties of vines. The medals obtained are a source of pride and honor, all the more so since in Podgoria Cotnari they are grown exclusively Romanian varieties, and at international competitions these varieties, vinified, stand next to very well-known international varieties. From our point of view, it is a recognition of the fact that Romanian varieties have potential if they are exploited properly,” Remus Deleanu, president of the Cotnari company, told AGERPRES.

This year’s edition of the Vinarium, which took place in Ploiesti, was attended by 250 producers, importers, negotiators, representatives of producers from 23 countries. 1,230 still wines, 70 sparkling wines and 11 spirits were judged. Almost half of the samples entered in the competition, 40.58%, were from abroad. In total, 419 medals were awarded in the new scoring system developed by the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV), of which 11 Grand Gold Medals, 286 Gold Medals and 122 Silver Medals.

The 11 Great Gold Medals were won by wineries from Azerbaijan, Italy, Moldova, Romania and Ukraine.