Moldovan wines on the move

door | 24 feb 2020 | importeurs, Internationaal, Nieuws, Redactie

At Prowein come and meet 37 producers from Republic of Moldova Hall 15, Stand G81

The Moldovan wine industry has undergone fundamental changes over the last 5 years, due to the absence of trade quotas with the EU following the implementation of DCFTA, a complex legal regulatory reform, with a stronger emphasis on quality.

Moldova is a major modern producing country as 15% of the active population is implicated in the wine production. Yet a wine heritage which started 5,000 years BC – with the largest cellars in the world – places Moldova amongst the oldest wine producing countries.

Moldovan wines of the future:

– Republic of Moldova has 114 thousand hectares of vineyard planted with over 30 types of technical varieties making it the country with the highest density of vineyards in the world.

– The authenticity and uniqueness of Moldovan wines is represented by the indigenous varieties, which account for 10% of the vineyards: Feteasca Neagra is the highest potential then Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Regala, Rara Neagra, Viorica, etc.

– Production of PGI wines is growing, 2/3 of vineries are registered IGP. The number of PGI wines submitted for participation in competitions keeps increasing. Medals (824 in 2019 vs 488 in 2018) show the recognition from the international judges and confirm that Moldova takes its place amongst Europe’s leading wine producing nations.

– An objective to determine 3 AOC zones, study of zones delimitations.

– Export raised by 9% in 2019 both in value and volume, with a continued diversification of export markets over 70 countries. Over 80% of Moldova’s wine production is exported towards EU, North America and Asia Pacific, as a more reliable and stable market with higher purchasing power, with a record of 73% of high value added bottled wines, going to these emerging markets.

-The 2019 harvest is of excellent quality, especially for red wines: 263,000 tons, 18 million DAL.

An oenotourism experience out of the ordinary:

– Moldova is a new booming destination of wine tourism, with its exceptional National Wine Day and its unique underground cellars mentioned in Guinness records… All cellars are constructed by natural sustainability principles. And Moldova is globally known as the most unspoiled destination in Europe.

In recent years the number of wineries opening up doors for tourism almost doubled due to increasing number of visitors from abroad. Many wineries report their intention to establish basic touristic facilities in the next two years.