Moldovan wine
Moldova has a well-established wine industry. With a production of around 2 million hectolitres of wine (as of 2018), it is the 11th largest European wine-producing country.[1] Moldova has a vineyard area of 148,500 hectares (367,000 acres) of which 107,800 hectares (266,000 acres) are used for commercial production.[2] The remaining 40,700 hectares (101,000 acres) are vineyards planted in villages around the houses used to make home-made wine. Many families have their own recipes and strands of grapes that have been passed down through the generations. There are 3 historical wine regions: Valul lui Traian (south west), Stefan Voda (south east) and Codru (center), destined for the production of wines with protected geographic indication.[3]
In 2022 the majority of wines are exported, being sent to 75 countries, with 60% of wine produced being exported to European Union countries.[4]
History
By the end of the 3rd century BC, trading links were established between the local population and the
After the formation of the
After the
After the phylloxera damage at the end of the 19th century, it was only in 1906 that the vineyards began to recover with grafted planting material. By 1914 Bessarabia had the biggest vineyard area in the Russian Empire.[5]
Both World Wars damaged the Moldolvan vineyards and the wine industry considerably. The re-establishment of Moldavian vineyards began during Soviet years, in the 1950s. Over 150,000 hectares were planted in 10 years, and by 1960 the total vineyard area had reached 220,000 hectares.[5] In the 1980's Russia was suffering from alcoholism and ordered the destruction of vineyards, between 1985 and 1987 30% were destroyed.[5]
In 2006, a diplomatic conflict with Russia resulted in the 2006 Russian ban of Moldovan and Georgian wines, damaging the wine industry of Moldova, as Russia had been the largest importer (80%) of Moldovan wines, the ban lasted 2 years.[5] A fresh ban was imposed in September 2013, as a result of Moldova's announcement of plans to sign a draft association treaty with the European Union, not so effective this time as Moldova had sought alternative export markets in the intervening years and was producing better quality wines.[6][7]
The national brand "Wine of Moldova" was created in 2013 by the newly created National Office of Vine and Wine (ONVV) whose main objective was the promotion of quality Moldovan wine abroad.[8]
In 2022 wines were being exported from 260 wineries to 75 countries, with 60% of the wines produced being exported to European Union countries.[4]
Wine growing regions in Moldova
In Moldova four regions for wine growing are to be found:
The most important region -
Grape varieties
Moldovan viticulture is characterized by a large variety of grapes:[9]
Varieties | Share |
White | 70% |
Red | 24% |
Table | 6% |
Types | Share |
European | 70% |
Domestic | 16% |
Caucasian | 14% |
Local varieties
Only a few local varieties can still be found in Moldova today:
- Fetească albă: Indigenous white variety;
- Fetească regală: White variety, a natural cross between Fetească albă and Furmint;
- Purcari region;
- Fetească neagră: Red grape variety;
- Plavai: White variety, popular in the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century. This variety is now rare;
- Busuioacă albă: white aromatic variety.
Introduced varieties
White varieties:
.Red varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot noir, Malbec, Saperavi, Gamay.
Recently:
Divin
Divin - represents the name, patented in the Republic of Moldova, of the country's brandy, produced in conformity with the classic technology of cognac production.[citation needed]
Cellars
The Moldovan wine collection "
The Cricova winery also has an extensive network of tunnels that stretch for 120 km.[citation needed]
Wine Guild
The Moldova Wine Guild is a non-profit association established in August 2007 by several of Moldova's leading private wineries, i.e.
Moldovan wineries
See also
References
- ^ Volume of wine produced in European wine producing countries in 2018
- ^ "Moldova: Dynamics of nursery and viticulture development, for the period starting with 2001 till 2005". Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
- ^ Wine road in Republic of Moldova
- ^ a b "ANTICIPATING OVER 100,000 VISITORS AT THE 22ND NATIONAL WINE DAY CELEBRATION". 3 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "History of Moldovan Wine". Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ "Russia punishes Moldova by banning its wines". 11 September 2013.
- ^ "Russia's ban on Moldovan wine 'unfounded' - Decanter". 13 September 2013.
- ^ "About ONVV". Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ Soiuri de vita-de-vie cultivate în Moldova (in Romanian)
- ^ "Milestii Mici Winery". Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ "Moldovan Wine Guild Summarizes Results of Activity". 23 July 2008.