Codru is the largest wine-growing region in the central-northern part of Moldova. It is a high-quality wine region with an old history dating back to Roman times. It is famous for its white, sparkling, fortified and blended red wines. The region has 60% of all plantings in the country. Codru is also home to the biggest cave in the world, stretching over a total length of 200 kilometres and 80 meters in depth. The magnificent cellars cover an area of 55 km of galleries where technological production processes are carried out and some other dozens of kilometres, where wine is aged in barrels and bottles. Codru wine region has the coolest continental climate of all in Moldova with long winters, but not usually extreme, while summers and autumns are warm. The average altitude above sea level is 100–150 metres, and a big part of the zone consists of slopes with lots of forested hills that provide favourable microclimates and protection from frost. The most planted white grape varieties are Aligote, Alb de Onitcani, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Fetească Albă, Fetească Regala, Muscat, Rkatsiteli, Sauvignon Blanc, Viorica, and Viognier. And the most prominent red grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Fetească Neagră, Gamay, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Rară Neagră, Saperavi and Shiraz. In the past decades, the region has shown great potential and is increasingly gaining popularity on an international scale.