Romanian importers expand wine portfolio

“We will continue to sustain exports, which will not drop below 45 percent,” said Mihai Chitic, Halewood’s Commercial Manager.

The Recas winery has also announced its intention to focus more on the local market. “We exported 40 percent of the production in 2006. Last year exports made up a mere 30 percent, and we plan to maintain the same quota of total production this year, because we want to focus more and more on the Romanian market in coming years,” said Gheorghe Iova, General Manager of Recas. The company began importing wines by distributing several brands from Italy, Chile and Spain.

Carl Reh, one of the main wine importers, recently became the main distributor of Fosters Wine Estate (Australia) and Gallo Winery (California) wines in Romania. The company also distributes Lindemanns and Penfolds wines and its own brands, La Cetate, River Route and Val Duna.

The Vino Vero importer recently signed a contract with Misiones de Rego, the largest Chilean wine producer.

According to producers, Romanians drink some 30 liters of wine every year, while annual per capita beer consumption rose to some 89 liters.