📍 Babadag

Babadag is a wine zone in south-eastern Romania, in Dobruja, near the town of Babadag in Tulcea County, not far from the Danube Delta. It is part of the Hills of Dobruja. Dobruja lies between the Danube and the Black Sea, and the climate here is one of the warmest and driest in the country: lots of sun, little rain, and sea winds that temper the heat.

Vineyards sit on low hills. Soils are limestone, loess and clay. The Black Sea coast has known viticulture since the days of the ancient Greeks.

The zone grows Merlot, Aligoté and other grapes. Reds are soft and rich, with ripe-berry aromas, and whites fresh and light. Rosé wines are made too.

The area is small, but it lies next to the Danube Delta, a UNESCO site, so it is easy to combine with a nature trip. Babadag wines suit fish from the delta, grilled meat and the local cooking of Dobruja. To the south lies the Murfatlar zone, the best known in Dobruja, and to the north the Danube Delta. Wines of the zone are served with fish dishes of the delta such as fish soup, and with grilled meat and vegetables.