Podgoria Odobești

Podgoria Odobești is the largest wine-growing region in Romania by surface area, with approximately 7,000 hectares of vineyards, located in the eastern part of the Subcarpații de Curbură, along a stretch of roughly 30 km in length and 5–10 km in width, between Valea Putnei to the north and Valea Milcovului to the south. It encompasses three wine-producing centres: Odobești, Jariștea, and Bolotești. Specialists consider it a vineyard region of Dacian origin, with the earliest documentary references dating from the 17th century. Dimitrie Cantemir noted in "Descriptio Moldaviae" that Odobești ranked among the foremost wine regions alongside Cotnari and Huși, and around 1750 the Italian Ignacio St. Raicevici regarded it as the leading wine region of Moldova. The emblematic and practically unique variety of the area is Galbena de Odobești — one of the oldest indigenous Romanian grape varieties, known throughout history also under the names Galbena de Căpătanu, Poamă Galbenă, and Bucium de Poamă Galbenă. It produces off-dry white wines with pronounced acidity, delicate floral aromas, and a characteristic freshness, best served at 8–10°C alongside fish, appetisers, or poultry. The same variety is also used to produce quality brandies, aged in the cellars at Beciul Domnesc. The other notable local variety is Plăvaia, cultivated in Odobești for centuries. The wineries open to visitors within the region include Beciul Domnesc (a historic monument dating from the time of Ștefan cel Mare, housing over 100,000 bottles in its cellars at a constant temperature of 12°C), Crama Șarba (157 hectares of vineyards, fully automated production, a renovated boyar cellar with barrique barrels), and several small producers offering on-site tastings. Odobești was awarded the official brand "Orașul viilor domnești" in 2009 and is also the place where Ștefan cel Mare moved the border of Moldova and built Cetatea Crăciuna. The area is accessible via DN2 (E85) from Focșani, at a distance of 14 km.