This month, the Wine Pairing Weekend group of bloggers is making a virtual trip to the Republic of Moldova. Our host is Jeff of FoodWineClick who made an actual press trip to Moldova last year. Check out this very informative post entitled “Could Moldova Be Your Next Wine Destination” for more about his experience.

About Moldova

Moldova is a small landlocked country in the Black Sea Basin sandwiched between Ukraine and Romania.

Although relatively small, Moldova ranks among the most significant wine regions of Eastern Europe. Its climate is well suited to viticulture, and archaeological evidence suggests that this has been the case for a millions of years. Fossils of Vitis teutonica vines dating back as far as 25 million years have been found around the northern Moldovan village of Naslavcia. Further evidence suggests that the indigenous peoples began using these grapes to make wine as early as 3000 BC according to WineSearcher.com.

Since it declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Moldova has been shifting upping its wine game. It has embraced in international approach to developing sustainable growth in new export markets. And Moldovan wine producers have shifted their focus to a quality over quantity mind set. There have been key capital investments in Moldovan wine including Australia’s Penfolds and HDR Wines of France. Dutch and German firms have also entered into joint-venture agreements with Moldovan wine producers.

Moldovan Wine By The Numbers

• With 112,000 hectares of vineyards, The Republic of Moldova has the highest density of vineyards in the world
• The vineyards are planted to 50 varieties of grapes. 10% of vineyards are planted to indigenous varieties including: Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Regala, Feteasca Neagra, Rara Neagra,etc.
• 70% are white grape varieties, 30% are red grape varieties.
• 86% of wine production is still wine and 14% is sparkling wines
• Moldova has Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) wine regions:
  •  Codru
  • Valul lui Traian
  • Ștefan Vodă

Disclosure: I received these wines as a media samples. I received no compensation for this post, and all opinions presented are my own.

In My Glass And On My Plate

2018 Taking Root Blanc de Cabernet

When I read the label of the wine, I wondered which Cabernet was used to make this wine Sauvignon or Franc? Well, it turns out it made from Cabernet Sauvignon!

Tasting Note:

It’s a very pale straw color with white peach, melon, lemon zest and a hint of fresh cut bell pepper aromas. On the palate it’s medium-bodied, low-medium acidity and an appealing supple texture. It shows ripe white peach, apricot, yellow plum and a kiss of lemon peel flavors. It was wonderful paired with Pan Seared Halibut and Sauteed Zucchini and Yellow Squash with Parmesan!

2017 Gitana Winery Saperavi

Saperavi is a dark-skinned, pink-fleshed (teinturier) grape variety originally from the Georgian Republic.

Tasting Note:

The wine is an opaque carmine color with intriguing dried black and red cherry, juniper wildflower, black pepper aromas with a kiss of smoke. On the palate it’s medium-bodied with bright acidity and gauzy tannins. It offers an appealing combination of Kirsch and fresh black cherry, blackberry, a hint of cacao and savory spice flavors with a satisfying finish. I thoroughly enjoyed this charming wine. It was fantastic paired with Chicken Mole!

2015 Castel Mimi Rosu de Bulboaca

This wine is a great example of the use of international varieties in Moldova. It’s a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Raised for 12 months in French Oak barrels

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Tasting Note:

The wine is an opaque dark ruby color with plum, blackberry, clove, cinnamon, cedar and subtle cassis and oak aromas. On the palate it’s medium-bodied with lively, medium acidity and a supple texture with velvety tannins. It offers generous fruit- forward, plum, blackberry confit, cassis and the aforementioned baking spice flavors. I don’t have to tell you how well this paired with a take-out Kobe Beef Burger from a local restaurant!

My overall impression of the wines I sampled is very favorable. They were all made in the fruit forward New World style and all offered terrific value. The wine are likely to be challenge to find, but I will certainly keep an eye out for them and you should too. I get the feeling we’ll continue to see Moldovan wine evolve in a positive way! Noroc! (that’s “cheers” in Romanian)

Be sure to check out what my fellow Wine Pairing Weekend friend discovered during their virtual trip to Moldova:

• 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 from Avvinare shares “Moldova – An Ancient Country with Beautiful Wines to Discover”
• Jill at L’Occasion shares “A First Taste of Moldova Wines”
• Jeff at Food Wine Click! shares “Cabin Pairings for Moldovan Wines”

If you’re reading this early enough, feel free to join us for a live Twitter chat on Saturday, July 11th at 8am Pacific time. Follow hashtag #WinePW and be sure to add that to any of your tweets so we can see it.