Celebrating Moldova National Wine Day with Chinese Food #WorldWineTravel #MoldovaWineDay #WineOfMoldova

Rosu De Purcari Red Blend, Castel Mimi Feteasca Alba Dry White, Radacini Saperavi Feteasca Neagra Merlot and Suvorov-Vin Viorica Dry White are exceptional wines to represent Moldovan wines. 

The Moldova National Wine Day #MoldovaWineDay falls on the third and fourth of October 2020. To celebrate the special day, #WorldWineTravel bloggers, such as our host Lynn Gowdy from Savor the Harvest, are tasting the wines from Moldova – a country that has rich winemaking history dating back to around 3000BC. While the wines from Moldova are impressive, the wineries there are no doubt one of the main drivers of tourism.

WINE TOURISM

While wines in Moldova are impressive and are treasured all over the world, the magnificent Moldovan wineries are a great part of attraction of the tourist dollars, developing the country's tourism. Being the world's largest wine cellars, these wineries were established in former limestone quarries with more than 200 kilometers of tunnels which can be driven through. For example, Mileștii Mici winery has Gothic-style galleries, which go undergroud at a depth of 80 meters, that collect more than 1.5 million bottles of wine and are famously registered in the Guinness Book of World Records for holding the largest wine collection in the world. 

The 2021 Milestii Mici Wine Run will be held on February 7th, 2021
(Photo Credit: https://milesti.winerun.md/en/)

Another symbol of Moldovan winemaking is the underground wine city of Cricova, which has galleries stretching over 70 kilometers. It was founded in 1952 and is Moldova’s biggest sparkling wine producer. Cricova is also home to Moldova’s national wine collection, which features a number of historic wines including old vintages of Moselle, Bourgogne, Bordeaux and Port. The oldest bottle in the collection, and the only one of its kind in the world, is the wine known as Easter Jerusalem, which was produced in just a single batch in 1902.

Cricova has the oldest vintages of Moselle, Bourgogne, Bordeaux and Port from Moldova.

Other stunning wineries that wine lovers should visit include Castel Mimi and Purcari Chateau, where tour packages are available.

Castel Mimi is a jewel of Moldovan Wine Tourism, attracting tourists with exceptional wines and food. (Photo Credit: Castel Mimi)

Nestled between the Dniester River and the Black Sea, Purcari Chateau presents not only world class wines but also a breath-taking view (Photo Credit: Purcari Chateau)  

MOLDOVAN WINES AND CHINESE FOOD

Feteasca Alba is a grape variety that is grown widely in parts of Eastern Europe, most notably Romania but also in Moldova, Hungary, Bulgaria and Ukraine.

Feteasca Alba 2018 White Dry Wine and Steamed Whole Fish

Feteasca Alba 2018 White Dry Wine (sample, $19 SRP) is produced by Castel Mimi, the first chateau in Moldova, which was built by  Constantin Mimi, a pioneer wine maker. He applied the winemaking techniques that he acquired from the western Europe and implemented new technologies, produced great wines and raised the standards.

Tasting notes: light, elegant, expressive citrus flavors at the beginning, and stone fruit notes gradually – a refresher that especially pairs well with fresh seafood.

Chinese Food pairing: Steamed whole fish with julienne ginger and scallion, drizzled with hot oil

Rosu De Purcari 2015 is a blend of 50% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 10% Malbec.

Rosu De Purcari 2015 and Cantonese Braised Beef with Radish

Rosu De Purcari 2015 (sample, $19 SRP) is one of the most popular wines at Purcari Chateau. In 1827, Emperor of Russia Nicholas I issued a special decree granting Purcari the status of the first specialized winery in Bessarabia. Since then, the owners of Purcari have become Moldovan boyars Dancila and Clot. The last decade of Purcari’s almost two centuries has seen the winery reach its most advanced stage of its development. With the vineyards planted in 2003 reaching maturity, the quality of the grapes has improved significantly.

Tasting notes: oaky on the nose, noticeable notes of warm spices, chocolate, forest herb, complex, deep - a red wine lover’s dream.

Chinese Food pairing: Cantonese Instant Pot Braised Beef with Radish

Viorica, which is a symbol of Moldovan white wines, is an indigenous grape variety from the Country. 

Suvorov-Vin Viorica, Moldova 2018 and Sweet and Sour Chicken

Suvorov-Vin Viorica, Moldova 2018 (sample, $18 SRP) is produced by Suvorov Vin, which is the holding company that includes two wine companies “Suvorov – Vin” and “Kazayak – Vin”. They own around 500 hectares of vineyards located in the southern part of Moldova, where the climate is perfect for quality grapes cultivation.

Tasting notes: passionate fruit, mango, creamy, mild acidity but still dry – a charming white wine that pairs well with slightly sweet Asian food.

Chinese Food pairing: Sweet and Sour Chicken

Feteasca Neagra is a dark-skinned grape variety native to Moldova. Saperavi is native to Georgia, but is also grown in Moldova.

Radacini Saperavi Feteasca Neagra Merlot 2018 and Cumin Lamb Burger

Radacini Saperavi Feteasca Neagra Merlot 2018 (sample, $20 SRP), which is produced in the Stefan Voda region, is a beautiful blend of Saperavi (70%), Feteasca Neagra (20%) and Merlot (10%). Each grape variety has been fermented separately to allow each of the grape maximizing its favor before the blending.

Tasting notes: Fruity, spicy, exceptional bouquet of ripe black cherry jam, sour cherry, black pepper, thyme, and leathery – a bold red that pairs well with heavy red meat.

Chinese Food pairing: Cumin Lamb Burger 

Photo Credit: Wine of Moldova

Moldova Wines – History and Regions

Moldova’s history of winemaking began around 3000 BC, and the initial traces of grapevines have been dated back to around 7000 BC. Since 2013, Moldova has embraced a wine quality system mirroring the EU model of protected geographical indications (PGI), and established geographically around the three traditional vine growing areas, which have differences in climate and growing conditions. These PGIs are Valul lui Traian, Ștefan Vodă and Codru plus a special geographical denomination for grape distillates called Divin. Check out my Moldova Wines post in July for more detail about the history of winemaking and PGIs of Moldova.

 

Check out how other #WorldWineTravel bloggers celebrate the Moldova National Wine Day!

• Camilla at Culinary Adventures with Camilla shares "Two Indigenous Moldovan Grapes - Fetească Albă and Fetească Neagră - Paired With Colțunași Harnici (Hard-Working Dumplings)"
• Wendy from A Day In The Life On The Farm is “Celebrating the Food and Wine of Moldova”
• David from CookingChat has "Food Pairings for Moldavan Wines" 
• Lori from Exploring the Wine Glass shares "Sitting Down with Master of Wine Caroline Gilby to Discuss Moldovan Wine" 
• Terri from Our Good Life shares “Moldova Wine Day Celebration!” 
• Linda from My Full Wine Glass is "Celebrating ‘My Wine Day’ and the little country that could" 
• Robin at Crushed Grape Chronicles shares "Moldovan Wine – moving forward while not losing track of the authentic grapes of their past" #WorldWineTravel 
• Susannah from Avvinare writes “You say Feteasca and I’ll Say Moldova” 
• Jennifer at Vino Travels tells us about “Eye Openers to the Wines of Moldova” 
• Melanie from Wining With Mel is "Exploring new territory with Moldovan wines" 
• Jeff from foodwineclick asks the question "Are Local Grapes the Future of Moldovan Wines?
• Lynn at Savor the Harvest I share "Moldovan Native Wine Grape Discoveries" #WorldWineTravel 
• Jill from L’Occasion discusses “Wines of Moldova: Worth the Adventure” 
• Payal from Keep the Peas pairs "Kashmiri Yakhni Pulao and Moldovan Wine" 
• Nicole from Somms Table is "Celebrating Moldova National Wine Day with More Food and Wine Explorations" 
• Rupal at Syrah Queen shares "Celebrate Moldova National Wine Day - Exploring Native Varieties"
• Here Pinny is Celebrating Moldova National Wine Day with Chinese Food #WorldWineTravel #MoldovaWineDay #WineOfMoldova at Chinese Food and Wine Pairings

Moldovan Wines and Korean Sushi - Kimbap #WinePW

Moldovan Wines and Korean Sushi -
Kimbap 

Being a history buff and journalism major, I was fascinated about the 20^th century history of Eastern Europe. When I was 19 years old, I decided to travel with a friend to several Soviet Union ruling Eastern European countries like Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia for more than two months during the freshman year summer break. Back then, as a traveler on a shoestring budget, my focus was not on wines but rather on guarding my backpack from theft during the occasional overnight stays (a.k.a sleeping) in the train stations. Shortly after this eye-opening trip, I visited Moscow, St. Petersburg and Vladivostok multiple times to see how the communist party controlled the press! Jeff Burrows from Food Wine Click has this cool connection with VINOvations and Wine of Moldova USA and arranged samples for the #WinePW bloggers. For me, tasting Moldovan wines gives me a reason to revisit the map of the former USSR and to be nostalgic about my exciting young adulthood.   

Staying with a hosting family in Krakow, Poland

Terroir of Moldovan Wines

The Republic of Moldova is a country located in Eastern Europe, bordered by Ukraine to the east and Romania to the west. Its geographic location embraces a moderate continental climate with short and occasionally very cold winters and long summers. Moldova’s landscapes vary considerably from endless steppes of the east, to forested hillsides of the central zone, and on to the vast Bugeac Plain in the south. The diverse landscape allows Moldova to offer a wide portfolio of wines, ranging from cool-climate wines, ice wines from noble rot, to wines from early ripen grapes.

Gogu Blanc de Merlot 2018/ Rosu de Purcari 2015/
310 Altitudine Cabernat Sauvignon - Feteasca Neagra 2017 

5 Wine Facts of Moldova

• The Republic of Moldova has the highest density in vineyards in the world – new vineyards are added to the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI/Appellation) year after year.
• Still and effervescent white wines (55%) dominate the wine production in Moldova, followed by red (35%), rose (8%), and licorous white, rose and red (2%).
• Moldova cultivates Western European, Black Sea Basin and indigenous grape varieties - 70% of which are white varieties (e.g., Rkatsiteli, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Aligoté), which are located predominantly in the Codru region, and 30% are red varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Saperavi) that are typically grown in the southern regions.
• USA is the 10^th most important export market for Moldovan wines.
• Moldova is internationally famous for its vast underground cellars at Cricova and at Mileștii Mici - the latter holds the Guinness World Record for the largest wine collection in the world.

Moldovan Wines PGIs: Valul lui Traian (southwest), Stefan Voda (southeast), Codru (central) and
Divin (distilled wines) / Photo Credit: Wine of Moldova

Protected Geographical Indications (PGI – Appellation) of Moldova

The four Protected Geographical Indications in Moldova are Valul lui Traian (southwest), Stefan Voda (southeast), Codru (central) and Divin (which is for spirits distilled from wine through double distillation and aged for at least 3 years in contact with oak produced anywhere in Moldova).

Rosu de Purcari 2015: 
Wild Dark Berries, Complex, Ripe, Rich, and Intense

Rosu de Purcari 2015 (SRP$39.99)

Purcari Chateau, located in Stefan Voda - near the Dniester River and Black Sea, is one of the most celebrated wineries and well-known wine brands in Eastern Europe. Found in 1827, its exceptional wines help Purcari win more than 200 awards at the most prestigious international wine competitions. Also the winery’s famous underground cellars were built in 1827, becoming the must-see for visitors visiting Stefan Voda.

Rosu de Purcari 2015: Cabernet Sauvignon 50%, Merlot 40%, Malbec 10%

Purcari Chateau's Rosu de Purcari 2015 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 50%, Merlot 40%, Malbec 10%. This wine is a dream of red wine lovers. Its complexity and deepness is over-the-top, coupling with a surprise touch of sweetness, smoothness and a long lasting finish.

310 Altitudine Cabernat Sauvignon - Feteasca Neagra:
Bright acidity, black cherry, lightly oaked, well-structured and medicinal 

310 Altitudine Cabernat Sauvignon - Feteasca Neagra 2017 (SRP$17.99)

Fautor Winery is the most awarded Moldovan winery in 2016 to 2018. Its strong suit is to have a portfolio of rare varieties that are considered as exclusive wines globally. Fautor Winery and its vineyards are located in the Tigheci microzone, which is known for producing Moldova’s high-quality whites and reds, in the Valul lui Traian region.

Gogu Blanc de Merlot: 
Textured, Saline, Stone-fruit, Weighty for White, Medium-bodied

Gogu Blanc de Merlot 2018 (SRP$19.99)

Gogu Wineary's story began in 2004, when the founder and winemaker of the winery, Ilie Gogu, has decided to experiment with home winemaking after graduating from the Technical University of Moldova as a wine technologist. Gogu Winery locates in the Stefan Voda region, where vast majority of winemakers from this PGI put a stronger emphasis on red grape varieties. Ilie Gogu however has decided to emphasize white varieties when planting his vineyards and has balanced a decent diversity of red varieties such as the Western European Cabernet Sauvignon,  Merlot and Malbec, the legendary Georgian Saperavi, and local Feteasca Neagra.

Korean Sushi - Kimbap (roasted beef rolls, fish sausage rolls and roasted chicken rolls)

Korean Sushi – Kimbap

Korean sushi “kimbap” is very similar to Japanese sushi in terms of using cooked seasoned sushi rice and toasted nori seaweed as the base. The major differences are the ingredients you put inside the sushi. While the Japanese sushi favors raw fish like salmon, tuna, yellow tail and mackerel and raw vegetable like cucumber and avocado, Korean sushi uses cooked meats like beef, chicken or pork bulgogi and blanched/preserved vegetable like cooked carrot, spinach and kimchi. In my opinion, the Korean sushi is more fun and you can be creative and improvise to put in so many different types of meats and vegetables to create your rolls. It’s less expensive to make and more fool-proof for success as a party food as you don’t need to use raw fish.

Get sushi rice from the grocery store as long grain rice will not have the texture that’s soft and sticky enough for making kimbap. Once the rice is cooked and cool off, add salt and sesame oil to the rice for taste. The nori seaweed sheet can be found in an Asian grocery store. 

To pair with the Gogu Blanc de Merlot, I have made fish sausage kimbap. The fish sausage is a must-try snack for people who even don’t like fish as it only has a very mild fish taste to it. The texture of the fish sausage resembles SPAM. It is a processed food but really works well with the cucumber, egg and cooked pepper in the kimbap. This Gogu Blanc de Merlot is one of my favorite whites I tasted so far in this summer. It’s medium-bodied and a tad saline, paring well with the umami seaweed and the savory fish sausage. The citrus and tropical fruity notes of the wine come out even more when having this lighter kimbap.

Gogu Blanc de Merlot, a weighty white that is versatile and dynamic and
just what one needs for summer dining 

For the 310 Altitudine Cabernat Sauvignon - Feteasca Neagra 2017, I paired it with the shredded roasted chicken kimbap. I would say any cold-cut chicken or turkey slices you have handy will also serve the purpose. The 310 is a medium-bodied red that is complex but causal enough to pair with lean protein. I have no doubt that I can finish the bottle without the need of any food. But the chicken kimbap in fact is a good match as this wholesome chicken rice bites will help you drink even more.

310 Altitudine Cabernat Sauvignon - Feteasca Neagra: a cool label, a blend with an indigenous Moldovan grape, a dream for red wine lovers 

The roasted beef kimbap is my favorite out of all three kimbaps as it’s hearty and a meal by itself. I added some creamy horseradish sauce to the beef as well to make it extra flavorful. The Rosu de Purcari blew my socks off by itself with its tannic yet elegant characters but was also a no brainer pair to the beef kimbap.

Foods and wines are the best way to learn a culture

Visiting Moldova to taste their wines is definitely on my bucket list now as these wines are truly impressive. What’s more important to me is to reconnect my adventurous younger self…but this time it’s through the lens of wines.

Note: wines are samples. Opinions are my own.

Check out other #WinePW bloggers’ Moldovan wines stories:

• Andrea at The Quirky Cork shares “Cooking Out with Moldovan Wine” 
• Liz at What’s in that Bottle shares “Moldova Mashup: Wines of Moldova & Foods of the World“ 
• Terri at Our Good Life shares “Special Celebration and Moldova Wines” 
• Wendy at A Day in the Life on the Farm shares “Smoked Pot Roast with a Negru de Purcari from Moldova”
• David at Cooking Chat shares “Ground Beef Chili with Red Wine from Moldova” 
• Deanna at Asian Test Kitchen shares “Pairing Moldovan Wine with Burmese Cuisine” 
• Linda at My Full Wine Glass shares “Finally, a grill! Just in time for Moldovan wine pairing” 
• Camilla from Culinary Adventures with Camilla shares “Maidens from Moldova + Summer Suppers” 
• Jennifer at Vino Travels Italy shares “A Look into the Wines of Moldova” 
• Jane at Always Ravenous shares “Savory Cheese Crostata Paired with Moldovan Wines” 
• Michelle at Rockin Red Blog shares “Discovering Wines of Moldova.” 
• Cindy at Grape Experiences shares “Have You Tasted Wines from Moldova? Try These!” 
• Rupal at Syrah Queen shares “Uncorking Moldova – Three Wines To Try Now” 
• Martin at Enofylz Wine Blog shares “Getting To Know the Wines of Moldova” 
• Nicole at Somms Table shares “Tasty Moldovan Food & Wine Explorations” 
• Gwendolyn at Wine Predator shares “Moldova: Bubbles, Red Blend, and …Pizza? Yes!” 
• Pinny at Chinese Food and Wine Pairings shares “Moldovan Wines and Korean Sushi – Kimbap” 
• Susannah of Aavinare is sharing "Moldova - An Ancient Country with Beautiful Wines to Discover.” 
• Jill of L'OCCASION shares "A First Taste of Molodova Wines".
• Jeff at Food Wine Click! shares “Cabin Pairings for Moldovan Wines”