Viorica

Viorica is a white variety bred in Moldova in 1969 from Seibel 13666 × Aleatico (VIVC, confirmed by DNA markers) by N. Guzun, F. Olar, M. Tsypko, A. Konovalova and P. Nedov at the Moldovan research institute for viticulture and winemaking; it entered state trials in 1978. As an interspecific crossing it is hardy — down to −25 °C — and resistant to downy mildew, needing one or two sprays a season. Medium-late (145–150 days), vigorous, it reaches 18–20% sugar at 7–9 g/l acidity. The wine is straw-coloured with a green tint and intensely floral — acacia, jasmine, linden — with citrus, lychee and dried herbs; 95 ha in 2019.