📍 Cotești

Cotești is a wine area in eastern Romania, in the southern part of the Vrancea wine region, within the Hills of Moldavia. It is part of the Hills of Moldavia (Romania). Vrancea is one of the country's largest wine counties, and Cotești lies on the slopes of the Carpathian foothills, where the climate is moderately continental.

The area is known for red wines. The main grapes are Fetească Neagră (“black maiden”) and Băbească Neagră, local reds. Fetească Neagră gives full wines with dark-berry and spice aromas, often with a slight bitterness and ageing ability. Băbească Neagră is lighter and more delicate, with red-berry notes.

Besides reds, Cotești makes white and rosé wines. The area is small, but many estates here are renewing cellars and investing in the quality of reds.

Wines from Cotești suit meat dishes and cheese, the traditional food of Moldavia. Other Vrancea zones such as Panciu and Odobești lie nearby, all part of the Hills of Moldavia. Cotești reds go well with meat dishes, for example stuffed cabbage rolls and sausages, and lighter Băbească Neagră with appetisers.