PGI wine region

Codru

The forested heart of Moldovan wine

Codru is the central wine region of Moldova, a protected geographical indication (PGI) of wooded hills around Chișinău. Gentle slopes, black earth and a mild climate have made it the country's home of crisp white wine and fine sparkling wine.

Shop the 8 wines of Codru Read the story

Where

Central Moldova, around Chișinău, between the Prut and the Nistru

Landscape

Valleys, ravines and ridges under the oak forests that gave Codru its name

Côte d'Or, Burgundy (France) · Sheri, CC BY-SA 2.0

Altitude

Vineyards between 150 and 400 metres

Codru

Côte d'Or, Burgundy (France)

The same altitude as the best slopes of the Côte d'Or, at roughly 220 to 400 metres.

Known for

Crisp whites, sparkling wine and supple reds

Codru in figures

The official figures of the Codru PGI, from the National Office for Vine and Wine.

above sea level: 150–400 m
sunny days a year: 310–320
of rain a year: 450–550 mm
average yearly temperature: 9–9.5 °C
of active temperatures, summed over the season: 3,000–3,450 °C

Rivers

Prut
Nistru
Răut
Ichel
Bâc
Botna

The terroir of Codru

Vineyard rows at first light in central Moldova

The Codri forest and its valleys around Hâncu Monastery

Climate

A mild, sunny continental climate

Codru has a temperate continental climate with short, mild winters and long, warm summers. The sun shines on 310 to 320 days a year, but rain is scarce at 450 to 550 mm, and the yearly average sits at 9 to 9.5 °C. That balance of light and restraint lets white grapes ripen fully while keeping the freshness that Codru whites and sparkling wines are known for.

Landscape

A land of a thousand slopes

Few places in Moldova are as broken up as Codru. Valleys, ravines, cliffs and ridges cut it into countless hillsides, most of them gentle: about 79% of the region tilts between 1° and 10°, and nearly 40% between 1° and 3°. The Prut and the Nistru frame the region, while the Răut, Ichel, Bâc and Botna rivers carve it from within, giving growers a wide choice of exposures.

Soil

Black earth under the forest

Chernozem, the deep black earth of the steppe, covers about 62% of Codru. Carbonate chernozem is the most common (about 21% of the region), ahead of ordinary (19%), leached (11%) and typical chernozem (8%). Brown and grey soils take another 14%, most of them still under forest. Together with the climate, these soils explain why Codru made its name with white and sparkling wine.

Black earth (chernozem) 62%
Brown and grey forest soils 14%

Other photographs: Wine of Moldova (ONVV)

Codru from above: forest, vineyards and Hâncu Monastery · Wine of Moldova (ONVV)

The wines of Codru

White grapes cover about 63% of the PGI vineyards of Codru and black grapes 37%. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot lead the plantings.

Main grape varieties

Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Riesling
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot

White

Lemon yellow with green glints when young, turning straw to golden with age. Fresh and mineral, with layered fruit and flowers and the taste of ripe summer fruit.
- Muscat € 17,30
Sparkling

Straw to golden, pale pink or ruby depending on the blend. A long, fine bead, generous mousse, a floral nose and a round, full palate.
Red

Ruby with purple glints, turning brick with age. Blackcurrant, raspberry, blackberry, cherry and wild plum, with cinnamon and sweet pepper; light, supple and velvety.
- Limited Edition Feteasca Neagra € 17,40 · Out of stock
Liqueur wine

Rich and mellow, with nuts, dried fruit and flowers: plum in the whites, a hint of chocolate in the reds.