Book launch – sharing the story of Romanian wine with the world
Published Works
Every volume I have written is a step toward the same goal: to give Romanian wine the international recognition it deserves. From the first tasting guide to an academic study of country branding, these pages chart two decades of conviction.
Book launch – sharing the story of Romanian wine with the world
Launched in Venice and presented at the CEC Palace in Bucharest, this trilingual volume brings together 50 wines from 50 wineries across 12 wine destinations in Romania. A thematic journey where wine majestically blends with Romanian culinary art, featuring contributions from notable chefs. Ten years after my debut in publishing, this book is both a celebration and a bridge – connecting Romanian wine culture with international gastronomy in three languages.
“Marinela works tirelessly to promote Romanian wines as a national brand, becoming, in recent years, a brand herself. This edition stands as a testament of her undying love and exceptional knowledge of Romanian wines.”– Ramona Chiriac, Head of the European Commission Representation in Romania
“This new trilingual edition represents a true showcase of Romanian hospitality and richness. Wine is not just a drink but a blend of art, culture, refinement, knowledge, and status.”– Gabriela Dancău, Ambassador of Romania to Italy, Malta, and San Marino
“The new trilingual edition is expected to be equally valuable and important for promoting Romanian food and wine culture. An intelligent act of cultural diplomacy.”– Federico Mollicone, President of the Cultural Commission, Italian Chamber of Deputies
Born from my doctoral research at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, West University of Timișoara (supervised by prof. univ. dr. Costinel Dobre, defended 2021), this is the first in-depth, systematic study of the relationship between country brand and wine brand. Through a heterodox approach combining quantitative-statistical and qualitative research, the book examines the cases of Chile, France, and Romania – analysing why Romanian wines are rarely found on international shelves despite the country’s millennia-old winemaking traditions.
A central argument runs through the book: wine is more than a product – for Romanians, it is an element of national identity. An effective communication of this identity could change Romania’s country image and strengthen both the wine industry and the nation brand.
“Marinela Ardelean, with grace and rigour, has earned not only the status of ambassador of Romanian wine, but also that of an authorised educator for consumers and for the development of wine culture in Romania.”
– Valeriu Stoica, from the Preface
The official guide to RO-Wine | The International Wine Festival of Romania – the first premium wine festival in Romania, which I co-founded alongside Liviu and Mihai Popescu. From its debut in May 2016 with 300 Romanian labels, RO-Wine has grown into an international event with over 1,000 labels – more than 50% from outside Romania – the annual presence of ICE (Italian Trade Agency), a dedicated Gourmet section, and thousands of B2C and B2B visitors across editions in Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca.
This guide brings together curated wine selections, winery profiles, and tasting notes – a companion for both connoisseurs and curious newcomers, and a record of an industry finding its voice on the world stage.
The third volume continues the mission of documenting the evolution of Romanian winemaking. Updated selections, new wineries that entered the scene, and wines from the latest exceptional harvests – this edition captures an industry in full momentum, growing more confident with every vintage.
“I discovered Romania in the 2000s and I was surprised to find very special wines, with a strong personality, character and tone. Romania simply has to promote its own wine varieties. I am positive they will be a hit on the international market. I can already see the future, I can see people asking: Where can I find a Fetească Neagră?”– Helmuth Köcher, Founder & President, Merano Wine Festival (Jury Member)
Building on the foundation of the first volume, the second edition expanded the catalogue with newly discovered wineries and exceptional wines from the latest harvests. By January 2017, I had begun a world tour of the most exclusive wineries in South America, North America, Australia, Africa, and Asia, bringing that global perspective back to enrich this guide.
This volume also marks a first: the introduction of Romanian brandies (vinars) and Moldovan divins, the local equivalents of French cognac. Evaluated by the jury and rated with 3 to 5 stars, 19 selected vinars and divins are featured alongside the wines, expanding the scope of the guide beyond wine alone.
The first comprehensive guide to the top wines of Romania and the Republic of Moldova. I visited nearly every winery in both countries and tasted approximately 3,000 wines, selecting 214 for this volume. A total of 58 wine cellars from Romania and 14 from the Republic of Moldova were evaluated – whether a small estate just starting out or an empire of hundreds of hectares with centuries of tradition.
“Mrs. Ardelean fully deserves our congratulations and fondness. She did, on her own, something that entire institutions were not good at. It is a real delight to glance through this Wine Book of Romania.”– Andrei Pleşu, philosopher & essayist (Foreword)
The book that started everything. Published under the patronage of the Romanian Embassy in Rome, this debut pairs 50 Romanian wines from 18 wineries with 50 dishes from 18 Italian restaurants. A journey through essences and flavours from two countries deeply connected by their shared Latin heritage. Stunning photography, intelligent paging, and effective visual strategy made it a product that seduces both the connoisseur and the curious.
“An intelligent act of cultural diplomacy, reuniting the best of the great Italian culinary tradition with the oenological heritage of Romania – contributing to the already intense and profound relations between our two peoples.”– Diego Brasioli, Ambassador of Italy to Romania (Foreword, 2014)
“Convincing and persuasive, capable of rendering the truth of things and not simply their appearance.”– Dana Manuela Constantinescu, Ambassador of Romania to Italy (Foreword, 2014)