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