Moldavian wine regions

The Moldavian vineyards are on the same latitude as the French Bordeaux. Moldova is not divided into wine regions like Hungary and France. Specialists distinguish four large wine regions.

Codru

The wooded area surrounding the capital Chisinau has a mild climate. More than half of Moldova's vineyards are located here. Fresh white wines are made here, but also unique red wines with a special history.

For example, the Romanesti winery is located here, once the family property of the Romanovs. For hundreds of years, fine wines from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot have been made here. The best have won several prestigious international awards over the years.

The region is also famous for its impressive wine cellars of Cricova, Milestii Mici and Branesti. Millions of bottles are stored in underground quarries that were dug out for the construction of the capital Chisinau.

At over 60 kilometres, Cricova is still the longest wine cellar in the world. Tourists are guided around in cars. Several historical wine collections are kept here, such as the collection of Hermann Göring, which was brought to Moldova by the Russians after the Second World War.

Dnistria

This region is also called the 'Purcari region', after the famous vineyards around the town of the same name. The area stretches along the Dnistr River. The conditions are extremely suitable for growing red grape varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and the indigenous Rara Neagră. At the end of the nineteenth century, wines from this region were exported on a large scale to the royal houses of England and Russia. In the Netherlands, too, Purcari appeared on the tables of the wealthy bourgeoisie at the time.

Cahul

Like the vineyards in Dnistria, the vineyards in the south of the country benefit from the moderating influence of the Black Sea. Many famous Moldavian sweet red wines are produced here. Famous wineries come from Taraklia, Ciumani and Komrat.

Balti

There are few vineyards in the North of Moldova. Most of the harvest is used for making distilled drinks such as Moldavian ‘cognac’. The most common grape varieties in this region are Aligoté, Fetească Albă and Traminer.