In Moldova there is the largest wine collection in the world and at the same time Moldova is the least visited destination in Europe, find out here why.
Do you know where the largest collection of wine bottles in the world is located? Well yes, right in moldova: in the Milestii Mici winery, which entered the Guinness World Record thanks to over 1 million bottles stored in 200 km of underground tunnels.
Moldova? It's a country you seem to have barely heard of, isn't it? Well, you are not the only ones, as Moldova was the “least visited tourist destination in Europe” in 2013 according to Lonely Planet. A country that, coincidentally, seems to have the shape of a bunch of grapes, located in the Black Sea basin, between Ukraine and Romania. Actually, today things have changed a lot, and Moldova is among the emerging tourist destinations, recommended as a destination not to be missed by authoritative media such as National Geographic, Huffington Post, Trips.com. Part of the credit for this growth trend, which is certainly destined to increase in the coming years, also goes to the wine sector.
That of wine in Moldova it is an important sector for the country's economy: it represents 3,2% of the gross domestic product and 7,5% of total exports, and employs over 150.000 people (out of a total of about 3 million inhabitants) . The historic wine regions there are three: Valul lui Traian (south west), Stefan Voda (south east) and Codru (center), intended for the production of wines with protected geographical indication. In addition to the numerous international vines, Moldova boasts a good number of indigenous vines that are attracting a lot of interest: among them, Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Regala, Feteasca Neagra, Rara Neagra, Plavai, Viorica.
Such an important wine sector and the presence of so many wineries, from the majestic late XNUMXth century château to design boutique wineries, from underground cellars to rustic family-run companies, the wine itineraries in Moldova can count on unique stories and atmospheres full of charm. The most important wineries offer guided tours, tastings, restaurants, hospitality and activities such as the grape harvest, bike rides through the vineyards, wine spa and wellness.
At the first place among the wineries that most attract wine lovers and tourists are certainly to be placed underground cellars, real cities of the subsoil intended for the production and storage of wine, especially sparkling white. The most famous of all is Cricova, about fifteen minutes from the capital Chisinau. A winery that can boast 120 km of underground galleries that hold around 1 million bottles and 600 labels, including the private collections of important heads of state, such as Putin, who celebrated his 50th birthday here. The guided tour takes place aboard an electric vehicle that goes through the tunnels that wind up to 80 meters deep, and is followed by a tasting in the elegant underground rooms.
But there is much more besides the underground cellars like Cricova and Milestii Mici from the Guinness Book of Records we talked about at the beginning of the article. For example the oldest cellar, Chateau Purcari founded by the decree of Tsar Nicholas I in 1827: the famous Negru de Purcari is produced here, also known as the "wine of the Queen of England" since Elizabeth II regularly ordered bottles of the 1990 vintage. Purcari welcomes guests for guided tours, tastings, rides through the vineyards, grape harvest, and has a restaurant, rooms and tennis courts. Or again Castel Mimi, winery with an international vocation that recalls the French château in its architectural layout, and which produces a Cabernet Sauvignon Riserva for connoisseurs. In addition to a fine restaurant, the cellar offers guest rooms with a modern and original design, a wine spa and a swimming pool.
The status of "wine country with a wine tourism vocation" of Moldova in 2018 received an important recognition: the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) chose the capital Chisinau and Castel Mimì to host the third edition of the Wine Tourism Global Conference, which took place on 6 and 7 September. It was a great opportunity to promote the eno-tourist profile of the country with the participation of over 250 high-level international guests operating in the wine tourism sector from around 30 countries.
The leitmotif of the Conference was sustainable tourism as a tool to promote the development of rural communities, making them the main protagonists and beneficiaries of this “tourism revolution” which places unique, authentic and memorable experiences at the center of the offer. Just like those that the villages of the Moldovan countryside are still able to offer to guests, with the sincere hospitality of a country not yet polluted by mass tourism. At the opening of the conference Pavel Filip, Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova greeted and welcomed the participants by saying that "when I go abroad, I always bring a bottle of local wine as a gift, this is because our wine says so much more about us. Moldovans of any discourse ”. A real love declaration of a country for its best product we could say!
If the Moldova of vines, wineries and charming rural villages rich in tradition has already entered your heart, perhaps you are still in time for a unforgettable journey into Moldovan wine: every year on the first Saturday of October the National Wine Day, with celebrations, parades, dances, food and wine stands and many events both in the capital Chisinau and in the main wineries of the country. If you are unable to participate in this event, do not worry: every moment is good to visit the country and have authentic experiences among vineyards and cellars where you will be welcomed with an ancient and generous sense of hospitality.
