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ªtefan cel Mare (Stephen the Great) was a voivod (prince) of Moldova (Moldavia)
(1457-1504),
who was renown in Europe for his ...
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs
 The Ministry of
Foreign Affairs is the central body which promotes the State’s policy in the area of foreign relations and conducts
its activity in conformity with the Constitution and ... |
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CULTURE / Wine Traditions
The inhabitants of the territory that comprises modern Moldova have practiced the art of making wine from grapes since ancient times. Long ago the Thracians cultivated vines here, passing the secrets of wine making on to other tribes. A verse in the "Iliad" (8th century BC) says, "The Greeks went to Thracia to find wine".
Long before the God Dionysus was worshipped, the vines brought joy to the prehistoric nations that lived in this region.
For the local population wine was for centuries a source of pride and wealth, as well as a prestigious trade commodity.
The Roman poet Ovid (46BC - 17 AD) was sent into exile in the region and mentions the locals' habit of concentrating wine by freezing it. So the Dacians not only drank, but also ate wine! Vine growing spread to such an extent that by the reign of Burebista (82-44 BC) migrating tribes came to partake of the wealth. Then, according to a Greek historian, Burebista instructed his high priest Deceneu to order that all the vines be dug up. But as the proverb says, "Vines always revive" and when the Romans annexed the territory in the first century AD they found that viticulture was once again flourishing.
When Moldova was established as an independent state the landowners had extensive vineyards. The first institutions to become involved in wine making were Moldova 's numerous monasteries. And, as it was considered to be a gift from heaven, the Eucharist wine had to be of the highest quality! Along with grain, wine was one of Moldova 's first exports. Dimitri Cantemir (1673-1723) mentions in his ‘Descriptions of Moldova' that in the 18th century Moldovan wines were much in demand by merchants from Russia , Kazakhstan , Hungary and Transylvania .
Wine was stored and shipped in oak barrels. Moldovan oak was used for these barrels on account of its preservative qualities. Foreigners also particularly favoured it, as it was resistant to deathwatch beetles.
The symbolic marriage between the vine and oak is still fundamental to wine  making today. Usually only hundred year old oaks are used and it is believed the qualities of the tree are transmitted through the wine to the drinker.
Quality wines are still kept in oak casks today, or - when large quantities are involved - stainless steel vessels, which are lined in oak.
There are 180 wine-making plants among the 142 thousand hectares of vineyards in the Republic of Moldova . That's excluding the fact that every inhabitant of a Moldovan village has at his home everything needed to make his own wine: wine press, vat, casks.
Moldova currently produces 12-14 million decalitres of brut wines. There are 29 wineries in the country, which you can visit. Among the most famous are: Romanesti, Nisporeni, Cricova, Ialoveni, Tigheci, Ciumai, Cimislia, Comrat, Trifesti, Dubasari, Milesti Mici, etc.
If you choose to get to know Moldova through The Wine Road you will not regret it. You will be able to appreciate the real value of different young wines, table wines, superior quality vintages and classic sparkling wines, as well as brandies, sherries and so on, whichever you prefer.
Wine Underground Towns
 Moldovan cellars and wine collections are one of the country's main assets, as they conserve and illustrate the nation's long history of vine growing and wine production. As generations change wines remain a constant, a symbol of the country's richness, quality products and history. The collections in many wine cellars are a testament to the hard work and traditions of people over the years. Vintage, so-called "collection" wines, and Moldovan "divines" or fortified wines, when stored in ancient cellars, caverns or underground caves and galleries, mature slowly in the dark at constant low temperatures. They develop subtle bouquets and flavours: the golden colours of white wines and the ruby and brick reds, as well as the aromas of freshly wood-baked bread, dried fruits and herbs. A taste of dill in an old Traminer or a dry Muscat, a taste of honeycomb in the dessert wines, like Gratiesti, Nectar, Trifesti, Trandafirul Moldovei, Auriu, and Moldovan Muscat. An old Cahor bears the taste and aroma of chocolate, coffee, dried prunes and black cherry jam.
Tourists and visitors can choose to visit any of 15 collections of vintage wines and "divines". Among the most famous and valuable are: Cricova, Milestii Mici, Cojusna, Stauceni (The National Winegrowing and Wine-making College ), Chisinau (The National Institute of Wine and Vineyards, "VISMOS", "Aroma"), Ialoveni, Balti, Peresecina, Hincesti, Taraclia, Comrat, Borceag, Ciumai and Tiraspol .
The quantities stored in these cellars vary from 10-50 thousand to 1 million bottles  of selected vintage wines and "divines".
In Cricova's old wine collection, for example, you will be able to discover a Jewish kosher wine, dating from 1902. Also at Cricova visitors will see a part of Ghering's collection, dating from before the Second World War, and also many wines from the 50's. Collectors are able to buy many other rare wines as souvenirs.
At Cricova and Milestii Mici visitors walk down real streets in an underground town, situated at a depth of between 30 and 150 meters. The total length of the cavern streets is 100 km (Cricova) and 50 km (Milestii Mici). These underground streets have names just like towns at ground level, appropriately taken from wines – Cabernet, Aligote, Feteasca and so on. |
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