Moldovan wine: history, wine regions, best producers

Winemaking in Moldova appeared so long ago that it is hardly possible to imagine this small country without a traditional occupation.

Recipes for homemade alcoholic beverages have been passed down from generation to generation: many of them have a long history of use.

History and peculiarities of local winemaking

Cultivation of the vine in Moldova began about 5 thousand years ago.

Of course, this figure is quite approximate: it is likely that wine production in a sunny country fertile for any kind of agriculture originated much earlier, as evidenced by numerous finds.

The development of the wine industry was promoted first by the Greeks and Romans, and then by local rulers who paid great attention to the ancient craft.

The Moldovan viticulture reached its peak in the reign of Stephen III the Great, who rooted a large number of imported varieties in the country and made a significant contribution to improving the quality of raw materials and finished products.

Later, local wine production went through several ups and downs and finally recovered only by the 19th century.

In the second half of the century, local vineyards were replenished with French varieties (Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Aligote, etc.).), drinks from which have made Moldova famous all over the world.

1. Most Moldovan drinks are produced for sale outside the country (almost 95%).

   Moldova ranks 7th in the world in terms of wine exports.

2. Each wine-growing region, not to mention individual farms, uses its own traditions and technologies for the production of alcohol.

3. Moldovan wine is made not only from grape berries, but also from apple raw materials.

4. One of the local wine collections (located in the village of Mali Mileshty) is listed in the Guinness Book as the largest in Europe and has about 1.5 million bottles.

   The total length of the cellars is 200 km, of which about 50 are used for storage.

Wine regions

Wine production is widespread in Moldova, so for convenience, the country is divided into several wine regions:

1. Northern

   Produces mainly spirits (port wines, sherries, cognacs, madeira) from white varieties.

2. Central (Codri)

   Specializes in the production of sparkling and semi-dry wines. Most of the local vineyards are located here. The territory is covered with wooded hills that protect the fruit from weather surprises.

3. South

   Supplies most of the dessert drinks. The region, in turn, is divided into the Budjak and South zones.

4. South-Eastern (Transnistrian)

   It is the birthplace of most local aged wines, the territory is favorable for growing red grapes. Includes the Purkar micro-area, which is famous for its Negra de Purkar and Rosé de Purkar wines.

Classification of wines

Depending on the method of processing raw materials, Moldovan beverages are divided into three groups:

1. Varietal - obtained from one type of grape fruit.

2. Blended - produced by blending several varietal wines.

3. Separate wines - appear as a result of combining several types of raw materials at the initial stage.

Depending on the degree of aging, wines can be:

1. Ordinary wines

   Drinks for everyday consumption, simple and unpretentious.

   These include young wines: appear on sale in the year of grape harvest; ordinary wines: are sold a year after the harvesting of raw materials.

2. Aged

   Divided into high-quality wines: stored in special containers for about six months before bottling.

   Collectible: aging is at least 2 years and 5 months.

Producers of Moldovan wines

Among the Moldovan companies producing alcoholic beverages, they are the most famous:

1. Cricova

2. Mileştii Mici

3. Dionysos Mereni

4. Chateau Vartely

5. Vinaria Purcari

6. Lion Gri

7. KVINT

8. Bouquet of Moldova

The best representatives include

1. Negro de Purcari (Vinaria Purcari)

   One of the most famous Moldovan wines - dry red wine. Produced in Stefan Voda district, in the village of Purcar in limited batches.

   Known as the "wine of the Queen of England" because it was one of the favorite drinks of Elizabeth II.

   The grapes used for Negru Purcar are Cabernet Sauvignon, Saperavi and Rara Năgre.

   The color of the drink is bright ruby with a transition to pomegranate, the aroma is rich, combining hints of prunes, chocolate, figs and saffron.

   The taste has notes of blueberries, oak and vanilla.

   

2. Cricova cabernet

   Red dry collection wine. It is made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.

   The shade of the drink is dark red, the taste has notes of green pepper, vanilla, black currant with a light oak flavor. The famous Cabernet is characterized by a long aftertaste.

   It is produced by a factory located in the city of Cricova, near the Moldovan capital.

   

3. Fetyaska

   White vintage wine made from white grapes of the same name.

   The color of the drink is soft golden, the taste is noble, rich, combining fruit and floral notes.

   There are many producers: Vinaria din Vale, Kozhushna, Cricovo, etc.

   

This is only a small part of the famous Moldovan wines: there are more than a hundred wineries in the country. In addition to these drinks, high-quality sherry, madeira, cognac, vermouth, rosé and sparkling wines are produced here.

The national drink izvar, which is made from hot red wine, spices and honey, is also worth a try. Sometimes pink or white drinks are used as ingredients, which are combined with citrus fruits, chocolate and plums.

You can taste local products at the annual Wine Festival, which takes place in early October, or at the music festival in Cricova in late winter.

Update: 12.09.2018

Category: Wine and Vermouth