Moldavian wine history

Moldovan wine has been produced for almost 5,000 years. Its wine history is among the oldest in the world. The wine industry reached its peak in the 19th century. Local grape varieties have now made way for well-known French varieties, especially for export. Moldova is slowly but surely returning to the international wine world.

Vine growing flourished during the famous reign of Stefan cel Mare in the 14th and 15th centuries. He improved the quality of wine and encouraged the import of grape varieties from other countries. During the subsequent three centuries of Turkish Ottoman rule, grape growing declined. Wine was prohibited by Islamic law.

In the 18th century, wine was produced on a large scale, but mostly for local use. In the 19th century, the wine industry reached its greatest peak. Wine growers were actively supported by the government and in 1837, wine production reached 10 million litres. Wine growers produced Moldavian wines such as Negru de Purcari and Romanesti, which earned them international fame. Moldova's reputation as a producer of highly refined wines was established.

At the end of the 19th century, the phyloxera bacterium caused great damage to viticulture. It was not until 1914 that Moldova again had Russia's largest area of ​​vineyards. Unfortunately, many were destroyed by two world wars. In the subsequent Soviet period, the vineyards were indeed restored, but there was mass production - and quality production on a limited scale for the Kremlin.

Attracted by the ideal climatic conditions for viticulture, several foreign investors and experts moved into the country shortly after Moldova gained independence in 1989. Today, more than 120 wineries are active in Moldova.

Local grape varieties have mostly made way for well-known, mainly French varieties, especially for export. Many wineries have been significantly modernized. Moldova is slowly but surely returning to the international wine world. The leading wineries succeed in delivering remarkably good quality. However, there is still some catching up to do in the area of ​​marketing.