Travel Guide to Crisana Wine Region

Crisana wine region is a Romanian wine region located in the northwest of Romania. The Crisana wine region is considered the most westernized of the Romanian wine regions when it comes to the style of its wines. The Crisana wine region is located close to the Austrian border and for many years was the source of wine for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The most notable grapes grown in Crisana wine region are Cadarca and Mustoasa de Maderat.   

Find out about Wine Tasting & Tours in Crisana Wine Region to enjoy if you visit the region.

Read our travel guide to Crisana Wine Region to discover more about:

Wines of Crisana Wine Region

Places to visit in Crisana Wine Region

Food to try in Crisana Wine Region

Wines Enjoyed by the Emperors

The Crisana wine region of Romania is located in the west of the country and is made up of the counties of Bihor, Arad, Salaj, Satu Mare and Hunedoara. For many years the Crisana wine region was ruled by the voivodes and was the target of Hungarian tribes and the Ottoman Empire.

The climate of the Crisana wine region is continental with hot and dry summers and cold winters. The most characteristic feature of the Crisana wine region is the Crisului Repede area, bordered by the Ses Mountain. Winters in the Crisana wine region are relatively mild and vineyards are located in sunny and sheltered locations.

The soil of the Crisana wine region is made predominantly of volcanic rock that has a high concentration of iron. This type of soil is perfect for the growth of Cadarcă, Feteasca Neagră, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.

High Acidity Romanian Wines

The wines of Crisana Romania are known for their high level of acidities, such as Mustoasa de Maderat and sparkling wines. Mustoasa de Maderat wines are fresh and fruity, leaving a cool sensation in the mouth when they are consumed.

Most wines of the Crisana wine region are made with native or noble grape varietals. These wines are mostly blended and are often made with low-grade grapes.

Read more about Wineries in Crisana Wine Region to visit.

Where to Go in Crisana Wine Region

Visit the Most Picturesque Town of Romania

The town of Oradea is located eight miles from the Romanian-Hungarian border and is one of the most picturesque towns in Romania near the Crisana wine region. It is also an important cultural centre of the Crisana wine region. Towards the end of the last century, many of the town's old houses and buildings were rebuilt using the trendy Sezession architectural style from Vienna. The style of the building is richly decorated with facades of pink, green, white and blue. For a true feeling of the past, visitors should take a walk around the Old Downtown and visit the Museum of the Cris Rivers.

Complexul Museal Arad - The Arad Museum Complex

The Arad Museum Complex is a history and archaeology museum that is located in the city of Arad near the Crisana wine region. The museum showcases a range of archaeological items from the Iron age, the Dacian Period, the Migration Period and the Early Medieval times. The museum building is the Cultural Palace which is an architectural monument from 1913. A visit to the museum allows guests to see various items that are listed as Romanian National Cultural Heritage Treasures.

12th century Citadel of Oradea - The Pentagon Shaped Citadel

The town of Oradea is home to the 12th-century Citadel of Oradea. This pentagon-shaped citadel was built by King Ladislau I of Hungary as a fortified Catholic Abbey. After this, it was transformed into a Renaissance-style citadel and used as the headquarters of the Catholic Diocese in Oradea. The citadel was once surrounded by a 120-foot-wide moat that was filled with water from the nearby Cris River. Today, the 12th-century Citadel of Oradea is the best-preserved citadel in Europe.

Savarsin Castle - The Castle of the Romanian Royal Family

The Royal Savarsin Castle was built between 1650 and 1680 and is today one of the residences of the Romanian royal family. During the 19^th century, the castle was upgraded and rebuilt in a Neo-Classical style. The castle building is surrounded by a 6.5-hectare park that was built in 1514 and is home to a large lake and a wharf. The park contains a wide range of rare trees and shrubs and various greenhouses with modern ecological methods are used. As the castle is a residence of the royal family, it is closed to the public but on special occasions, visitors are allowed inside by prior arrangement only.

Natural Places to Visit in Crisana Wine Region

The highlight of the natural environment of the Crisana wine region is certainly the mineral and thermal waters. These features have made Crisana Romania popular as a spa area throughout history. Crisana wine region is the perfect place to experience the magical healing powers of nature.

Apuseni Mountains - The Apuseni Nature Park

The Apuseni Mountains are contained inside the Apuseni Nature Park. These mountains are a paradise for visitors who enjoy exploring caves and house some of the most unique and interesting cave fauna in Romania. The Mountains are a wonderful place to visit and offer a range of hiking paths and trails through deep gorges, rivers and valleys. When visiting the Apuseni Mountains be sure to visit the Scarisoara Glacier, the Bears Cave and the Fortresses of Ponor. 

The Crystal Cave in the Farcu Mine

The Farcu Crystal Cave can be found in the Farcu mine which is located in the Apuseni Mountain Range. The cave was discovered in 1987 during mining activities and in 2012 it was placed under the care of the Centre for Protected Areas and Sustainable Development Bihor and Rosia City Hall. The Farcu Cave is extremely unique as it is the only cave in Romania where one can closely admire the calcite crystals which range in size as well as the macaroni stalactites which reach up to 2 meters in height. When visiting the cave one can also visit the old mine gallery which showcases ancient mining practices.

Bear’s Cave - The most visited cave in Romania

The Bear’s Cave is located in the centre of the Apuseni Mountains and is the most visited cave in Romania. The cave is well hidden behind thick forests and great stone walls and gets its name from the ancient bear fossils that were found inside the cave. The total length of the cave is 1.5 kilometers long, of which 521 meters are protected as part of a scientific reserve. The cave features three main galleries and hour halls. A must-see section is the Hall of Candles which is a natural cathedral filled with stalactites and stalagmites that look like large candles.

The Magic of the Cuisine in Crisana Wine Region  

Discover the dishes to try in Crisana wine region, Romania

The traditional food of the Crisana wine region displays Austrian, German and Hungarian influences. The local dishes rely heavily on pork and heavily spiced vegetables, making delicious meals that pair perfectly with the local wines.

Piparaica - The Most Delicious Dish of Crisana

Piparaica is one of the most popular local dishes of the Crisana wine region. The local delicacy is made of garlic, sour cream, Gold Maya flour and sweet yoghurt. It is traditionally served with fresh bread and fried bacon or sausages.

Pumpkin Curechi - Delicious Pumpkin Strips    

Pumpkin Curechi is a dish of pumpkin strips. The pumpkin is prepared by first soaking it in salt water until it softens slightly. After this, onions are fried in lard and cooked with flour, paprika, dill and sour milk. The pumpkin is later added to this mixture and boiled for 30 minutes. Pumpkin Curechi is traditionally served in the Crisana wine region in the summer months when the pumpkins are grown.

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