Romanian Wines Research Articles

Differentiation of Romanian Wines on Geographical Origin and Wine Variety by Elemental Composition and Phenolic Components

Several wines were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-PDA), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) in order to associate the concentration levels of the chemical parameters with the geographical origin of wines and wine varieties. Thus, the concentrations of 22 elements (Li, Be, Co, Ni, Cs, U, Pb, V, As, Ba, Cr, Cu, Zn, Al, Mn, Rb, Sr, Fe, Ca, Mg, Na, and K) and seven phenolic compounds (gallic acid, (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, trans-cinnamic acid, and resveratrol) were analyzed in 22 wines from two different wine-producing areas of Romania. Among the phenolic compounds, (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and resveratrol concentrations were the most useful markers for wine differentiation by geographical origin and wine variety, whereas Ba, Be, Cr, Cs, Li, Mg, Na, Ni, Sr, U, and Zn were the main inorganic parameters selected. To explore the distribution pattern of the samples, aimed at differentiating the wine samples by geographical region and wine variety, principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to the obtained data.

Wine Tourism in Romania

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the Romanian wine growing heritage, with an impressive historical past and the rich cultural heritage and traditions related to wine, to highlight the considerable potential in terms of development of wine tourism in Romania, factors that attract and motivate this new form of tourism, respectively planning a network of traditional themed routes in the region of Dealu Mare, emphasizing the significant parameters needed for a successful organization of this network. The analysis of the wine tourism situation in Romania and identification of factors with important role in attracting and motivating the wine tourists represents an important step in the field of wine research, through knowledge of the economic efficiency of production in wine-growing farms, finding the possibility to increase the effectiveness of investment in this area, which will allow everyone to realize the possible recommendations for the future.

Building an economic field with supranational supports? Lessons from wine production in Romania

In empirical studies of the real estate market, Pierre Bourdieu shows that the structuring of the ‘economic field’ is closely linked to that of the ‘bureaucratic field’. Through its regulatory activity, government plays a part in the legitimation of particular forms of economic activity as well as in the construction of the resulting hierarchies. This analytical framework is generally applied at the level of the State. Our point is to extend the scope of that analysis. An extension of the bureaucratic field can be characterized if one takes the view that international and supranational administrations play an active role in the organization of economic activities. In order to assess the relevance of this interpretative standpoint, light is shed on the case of the Romanian wine-making economy. The aim is to study a sectoral policy over which the European Commission has recently taken control and to measure its effects within a new Member State. This perspective is even more informative because Romanian wine production is being restructured: new operators have made their presence felt over the last decade, while the national government has lacked the means to make a determined effort to place these operators within a hierarchy. The Commission offers support to various agents who speak on behalf of Romanian ‘wine-making interests’ and influences the directions taken by conflicts between these interests. At the same time, it maintains a structural contradiction which prevents the formation of an economic field in the full sense of the term: the points at issue are defined in such a way as to conflict with the shape of any stable coalition between the dominant agents. The demonstration is supported by qualitative data collected during field studies carried out in 2010 and 2011.

Isotopic Analysis of some Romanian Wines by 2H NMR and IRMS

Isotopic analyses are now official or standard methods in Europe and North America for routine use in testing the authenticity of several food products. These methods are based on the measurement of stable isotope content (2H, 13C, 18O) of the product or of a specific component such as an ingredient or target molecule of the product. The determinations carried out using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and Isotopic Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS), provide information on the botanical and geographical origin of the food product. A deuterium natural abundance quantitative NMR method (SNIF-NMR: Site-specific Natural Isotope Fractionation) was developed as an efficient and powerful tool capable of characterizing the chemical origins of organic molecules and distinguishing their biological and geographical origin. The SNIF method is based on the measurement of deuterium / hydrogen (D/H) ratios at the specific sites of the ethanol. Using these methods, we present the obtained results for a series of Romanian wines. Our results may be used like reference data set for authenticity and origin control of wines.

Modeling the antioxidant capacity of red wine from different production years and sources under censoring.

The health benefit of drinking wine, expressed as capacity to defend the human organism from the free radicals action and thus reducing the oxidative stress, has already been demonstrated, and the results had been published in scientific literature. The aim of our study was to develop and assess a model able to estimate the antioxidant capacity (AC) of several samples of Romanian wines and to evaluate the AC dependency on the vintage (defined as the year in which wine was produced) and grape variety under presence of censored data. A contingency of two grape varieties from two different vineyards in Romania and five production years, with some missing experimental data, was used to conduct the analysis. The analysis showed that the antioxidant capacity of the investigated wines is linearly dependent on the vintage. Furthermore, an iterative algorithm was developed and applied to obtain the coefficients of the model and to estimate the missing experimental value. The contribution of wine source to the antioxidant capacity proved equal to 11%.

Water footprint assessment in the winemaking industry: a case study for a Romanian medium size production plant

Abstract The sustainable use of water resources bring nowadays challenges related to the production and consumption phases of water intensive related goods such as food and beverages, not only in terms of technological improvements, but also of management practices considered at the level of the water use cycle. This study focuses on the water footprint assessment of one 750 mL bottle of wine produced in a medium-size wine production plant in Romania, evaluated for a 4-year period with different precipitation regimes. The assessment is based on the production-chain diagram, presenting the relevant process stages from the source to the final product, as well as the current emissions and environmental impacts, considering the existent equipments and actual water related practices. The wine trade-offs socio-economic potential, and the evaluation of the national water footprint scheme related to Romanian wine production and consumption were assessed. The findings of this study indicated that almost 99% of the total water footprint is related to the supply-chain water use, out of which 82% green , 3% blue and 15% grey . In addition, suggestions of sustainable practices for the winemaking industry have been selected and briefly discussed based on international relevant cases. Such practices may contribute to savings in water, energy, raw materials, diminished emissions and waste generation and a more efficient use of personnel time, with benefits for the decrease of business costs, the increase of profit and competitiveness. At the level of the studied Romanian company, due to the current economic and environmental issues, only few of these practices have been applied for the last three years, e.g. : waste monitoring and treatment, soil, plant and pest management, waste minimization, water resources efficiency program, integrated management programmes.

Geographical origin identification of Romanian wines by ICP-MS elemental analysis

Trace elemental analysis, besides its ability to determine stable isotopes ratios, represents a possible complementary tool useful to differentiate wines based on their regional origins. Wines and their provenance soils from two major wine producing areas in Southeast Romania (‘Valea Calugareasca’ and ‘Murfatlar’), and also wine from the region of Moldova (Eastern Romania) were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and statistical data of elemental composition was used to differentiate these wines according to grape type and geographical origin. Moreover, this study gathers relevant elemental trace composition of wines produced in most important Romanian vineyards, thus offering a useful wine differentiation tool by their production district. The results show that the differentiation of Romanian wines according to their provenance is based on the following main elements: Ni, Ag, Cr, Sr, Zn, and Cu for Valea Calugareasca, Rb, Zn, and Mn for Murfatlar, and Pb, Co, and V for Moldova.

Stable isotopes determination in some Romanian wines

This paper presents a study concerning the isotopic fingerprint (18O and 13C) of some wines prepared from relevant Romanian grape varieties (e.g. Feteasca Alba (FA), Feteasca Regala (FR) and Cabernet Sauvignon (CS)) obtained in different vintage years (2002, 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2008). These wines were obtained from different vineyards having a significant role in the wine market: Cotesti, Tohani, Stefanesti, Aiud, Cotnari, Bucium, Murfatlar, Bujoru, Dragasani and Valea Calugareasca. Several observations related to the dependence of isotope ratios on geographical origin and climatic conditions were drawn. The authentic wines obtained from the FA grape variety from six different vineyards showed δ18O values in the range of+3.28 (Cotesti region – 45 °38′N/27 °04′E) to−2.60 ‰ (Aiud region – 46 °19′N/23 °45′E). The δ13C values were very similar for all the samples with an average of about−26 ‰. The difference between the δ18O values was due to the different climatic zones, which have an influence on the δ18O values of wine water. For the wine variety CS obtained from the Dealu Mare–Tohani vineyard, production years 2003 and 2004, a greater difference in the δ18O values of wine water ranging from 1.89 (in 2004) to 5.35 ‰ (in 2003) was noted. This difference is explained by the different mean annual temperatures in 2003 and 2004.

The strategies implemented on the wine market.

One of the most representative products, a true ambassador of Iasi county is, in our view, wine. After having joined the European Union, Romania - and consequently Romanian wine, especially the one obtained in our county - is given a series of development opportunities, from investments, free circulation of goods and the integration in the European system of copyrighting, branding and names of controlled origin. These opportunities are primarily based on product quality, rigor of producers and particularly on the creativity of strategies for turning into account, which should leave their mark much more powerfully. In this area of the country, Iasi county, special attention should be given to this sector of activity that would engage in effectively developing the area and would create a national brand and a favorable image abroad, effects reflected in the promotion of rural tourism and handicraft products, on both national and international levels. The SWOT matrix analysis and the Porter Diamond analysis were performed in order to diagnose this sector.

DNA Fingerprinting Used for Testing Some Romanian Wine Varieties

The main goal of the present study was to isolate DNA both experimental and commercial wines in order to differentiate some Romanian grapevine cultivars (Tamâioasa Românesca, Galbena de Odobesti, Feteasca Neagra and Busuioaca de Bohotin) by PCR using wine as a sample. Extracted residual grape DNA quality and specificity were verified using co-dominant simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers (VVS2, VVMD27, VVMD5 and VVMD7). The results obtained in this research shows that even 18 months after wine fermentation could be detected residual DNA that can be suitable for DNA fingerprinting. The 12-month-old experimental wine samples were more amplified than the 18-month-old ones. Among the microsatellite tested, VVS2 and VVMD7 gave satisfactory results. The VVS2 marker, which generated the shortest PCR amplicons (119-138 bp), amplified all of the cultivars analyzed in the wines samples. In case of commercial wines authentication of grape material by PCR using wine as a biological material was unsuccessfully due to insufficient amount of residual DNA in samples analyzed.

OPLC of carbohydrate content for quality control of commercial Romanian wines

Arapid and simple method for simultaneous quantitative analysis of the natural carbohydrates fructose, glucose, and sucrose in different types of wine (white and red; dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet, and sweet) by OPLC in overrunning mode is presented. The compounds were separated on precoated silica gel F254 OPLC plates with acetonitrile-water 26:4 (v/v) as mobile phase. Visualization was by spraying with a mixed solution of aniline and diphenylamine, then densitometry in absorbance mode was performed at 420 nm. Linear regression analysis of the calibration data was indicative of a good linear relationship between the peak area and the concentration in the range 0.5–5.0 μg per band (rglucose 0.99051, rfructose 0.98547, rsucrose 0.99506). In this paper we give the results obtained from analysis of 49 samples of white and red wines. In the most of the samples we did not find sucrose, only fructose and glucose in different ratios depending on the type of the wine. We found few white and red wine samples for which...

COMPOSITION IN POLYPHENOLS AND STABILITY OF THE AQUEOUS GRAPE SEED EXTRACT FROM THE ROMANIAN VARIETY “MERLOT RECAS”

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to characterize flavan-3-ol and oligomeric proanthocyanidin composition of the aqueous grape seed extract (GSE) from the Romanian wine grape cultivar “Merlot Recas.” For the isolation and identification of these antioxidant compounds, liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry was used. Grape seeds from the Romanian cultivar “Merlot Recas” appear a promising source of polyphenolic compounds. The aqueous extract is rich in catechin, epicatechin and procyanidins (dimers and trimers) known to be chemopreventive nutraceuticals. The evolution of flavan-3-ols and procyanidins in GSE was investigated, showing that the watery extract is very unstable, its phenolic composition not being preserved during 6 months at 4C. This work is a contribution to the know-how over fingerprinting and valorization of cheap sources for added value products as grape pomace and grape seeds out of it. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The most abundant phenolics isolated from grape seeds, collected from the grape pomace, are catechins (catechin and epicatechin) and their polymers, the procyanidins. The obtained data can serve as a helpful tool in the analysis of dietary supplements made from grape seeds and commercialized as grape seed extract, especially those in liquid forms. Composition and stability of flavan-3-ols and procyanidins, in aqueous extracts, has an important role in performing biochemical tests in vitro on cell culture. Our results can be used also for dealing with the waste disposal during the process of wine making, the waste serving as a natural source of the chemopreventive flavan-3-ols and procyanidins.

Phenolic Composition of Romanian Wines with Different Geographical Origins

Phenolic compounds in wine are important because they contribute to the color, taste and body o the wine. The skin and seeds of the grape berry are rich in phenolic compounds. Also, they manifest a wide range of beneficial health effects including anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-carcinogenic and anti-atherogenic activities (Yao, L. H., 2004). These protective health effects derived from the consumption of wines have been attributed to the antioxidant character of phenolics (Rice-Evans, C., 1998). The type and concentration of the phenolic compounds in wine depends on grape variety, ripening, atmospheric conditions, viticulture and vinification techniques (Rodriguez-Delgado, M.-A., 2002).

Identification of Romanian Vitis vinifera L. cultivars in must using nuclear microsatellite markers.

Accurate identification of grapevine cultivars is important for Romanian wine- makers and the extrapolation of the grapevine ident ification methods into musts is particularly releva nt in controlling the quality and authenticity of arom atic and high quality red wines. In this study, molecular SSR (Simple Sequence Repeats) analysis of Vitis vinifera L. cultivars (Busuioac a de Bohotin, Tamâioas a Româneasc a, Negru Aromat, Feteasc a Neagr a, Negru de Dr agas ani, Amurg and Novac) was applied in order to detect and correctly identify the grapevine cultivars present in monovarietal musts. DNA provided from each analyzed cultivar was successful extracted from leaves and must at the beginning of the fermen tation (day 1) using CTAB method and amplicons generated from eight SSR primers (VVS2, VVS5, VVS29, MD5, MD7, ZAG 47, ZAG 62, ZAG 79) were analyzed. Results shows that, at molecular lev el, there were no differences between the corresponding leaf and varietal must profiles and S SR markers can be successful used for characterisation and differentiation of analyzed gr apevine cultivars identified in musts.

A Rapid Method for Determination of Resveratrol in Wines by HPLC-MS

A new, sensitive, high throughput liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for quantification of trans- andcis-resveratrol in wine samples was elaborated. During method development the influence of multiple factors on the ionization efficiency of resveratrol was studied. These parameters included ion source (APCI and ESI, both being operated in positive and negative ionization mode), percentage of aqueous and organic phase, type of organic solvent, and concentration of additives. The optimum conditions were as follows: a mobile phase consisting of a mixture of 1 mM ammonium acetate/acetonitrile (73/27, v/v) with a flow rate of 1 mL/min, MS/MS detection with an APCI interface, operated in negative ionization mode. The monitored ion transition was m/z 227→184.7. Calibration curves were generated for both isomers of resveratrol in the range of 10.47–837.86 ng/mL (trans isomer) and 9.12 − 730.14 ng/mL (cis isomer), respectively. The developed method has been successfully applied to the analysis and comparison of trans- and cis-resveratrol content of 20 different Romanian wine samples.

Romanian Wine Growing Sector in the Context of European Integration, Competitive and Sustainable Development

By the adopted market mechanisms, by the various forms of national support, Romanian wine sector wants to continue to be compatible as organizing and efficiency with existing wine structures within the Member countries of the European Union, and Romanian wine production to cope with European and world competitiveness based on competition principles and quality. The Romanian wine growing surface is divided into 8 wine growing areas, bounded by the national legislation up to the level of territorial administrative locality and only here is permitted to continue setting up of vineyards, with those varieties named for each wine region. Romania’s wine growing area provides wines of fine quality and taking advantage of the potential of its many particularly valuable indigenous varieties, most of them at a level of quality and competitiveness suitable to varieties worldwide acknowledged, Romania wants to take its wine sector to an upper level. The development strategy of the indigenous varieties sector constitutes a main goal, a safe way to promote Romanian wine on third markets. Also, as a EU member country, Romanian wine growing sector benefits from the specific CMO of wine market measures, a priority for the current situation of the Romanian wine growing sector being vineyards restructuring/conversion.

Assessment of Organic Acids of Wine of Grape Varieties from the Romanian Ampelography Collection of UASVM Iasi

The study presents data concerning the organic acids in Romanian wines. Twelve wine samples of local grape sorts from the Ampelographic Collection of USAMV Iasi have been analysed: Babeasca gri, Blasius, Busuioaca de Bohotin, Feteasca regala, Furmit de Minis, Gordan, Mioriţa, Mustoasa de Maderat, Negru de Dragasani, Negru moale, Negru vârtos and Tamâioasa româneasca. By using a modified HPLC method, a quantitative differentiation of the following acids was possible: tartaric, malic, shikimic, lactic, acetic, succinic, citric and fumaric. By comparing the obtained values with those of the total, volatile and real acidity, correlations specific for each grape sort and wine was done. The importance of this data results not only from its technological aspects that influence the acidity of the obtained wines, but also from the quantification of the shikimic acid (molecule of great importance, giving the wine its biological characteristics), present in all the wine samples.

Identification of Tamaioasa Romaneasca and Busuioaca de Bohotin Wines' Aromatic Compounds from Pietroasa Vineyard

The volatile compounds in local origin Romanian wines represent an insufficiently researched domain. This study wants to identify aroma substances in 'Tamâioasa româneasca' and 'Busuioaca de Bohotin' wines from Pietroasa area in Dealu mare. During 2008 harvest, the grapes were processed following the classical wine-making technique. After a two weeks fermentation at 15 o C, the wine samples were filtered and bottled. A SPE extraction prior to gas-chromatography mass- spectrometry was used to determine individual aroma compounds. As expected, Tamâioasa româneasca and Busuioaca de Bohotin both have terpenic compounds, alcohols and esters that form their highly appreciated aroma. The compounds were identified using spectrum libraries NIST 08, Wiley 08 and SZTERP. The chromatograms were analysed with the specialised software of the device and also AMDIS.

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A WINE CLUSTER IN THE V WEST REGION

The article examines the competitiveness of the Ro manian vine and wine sector and underlines the need for creation of a synergy by business alli ance, especially at the regional level. It also ana lyzes the characteristics of the vine and wine sector from th e V West Region, the imperatives and the steps for a wine cluster. The article shows the existent trends on t he wine market and the strategic initiatives impose d in the present. As a conclusion, for the V West Region it can be implemented a successful wine cluster.

WINE-GROWING PRODUCTS CHANNEL AND SWOT ANALYSES

The wine-growing and the wine-making channel represent the process of transformation of grapes into must and wine until it reaches the final consumer, with all the activities, endowments and institutions involved. The wine channel is one of the most complex agricultural and alimentary channels because one and the same unity can integrate all the activities: research, obtaining the growing material, wine-making, obtaining the wine, its stabilization and bottling and the distribution to the final consumer. Measures and means of wine-growing connection regulation The coordination of the wine-growing and wine-making channel is based on the institutions and regulations in order to organize the stages of the channel using negotiated measures and instruments, and materialized in a legislative body that becomes obligatory for the entire channel. The systems of the institutions for the regulations of the wine-growing channel are: The Agricultural, Forrest and Rural Development Ministry, The Council for the production of “Grapes, must, wine, wine products and processed products”, The Payment Agency and for Intervention in Agriculture and Rural Development. Institutions with the role of elaboration and implementation of the market policy in the wine-growing and wine-making field, professional organizations of the product: The National Inter-professional Wine- Growing and Wine-Making Organization – Regional Professional Wine-Growing and Wine- Making Organizations, Patronal Organizations – The National Patronate of Wine and Vineyard. The channel Organizations: The State Inspection for the Technical Wine-growing and Wine-making Control – ISCTV, The National Office of the Original Denomination for the Wines and Other Wine-growing and Wine-making Products – ONDOV, The National Office of Grape Vine and Wine – ONVV Institutions for Certification and Control – The Central Lab for Seeds Quality. The activity of the economical agents in the wine-growing and the wine-making channel is considered, generally, as efficient. Of course the negative influences of the macromedium will have an imprint on this channel: the reduced dimensions of the exploitation, the old technologies, lack of information and of the access to different services. The main element of the strategy in the wine sector is the improvement of the image of the Romanian wines so that it would penetrate the extern markets successfully.