MAIN Wine Europe Moldova

Inhabitants of Moldova, just northeast of Romania, say it is the only country whose boundaries on a map resemble the shape of a bunch of grapes.

Historians have discovered evidence that grapes in these areas grew naturally in the forests... even in prehistoric times. With this background, you'd expect the wines to be good - and Moldova does not disappoint.

The European wines like Chardonnay, Pinot, Riesling, Cabernet, and Aligote are produced along with the local, high quality wines -- Rara Neagra, Feteasca and Plavai. The names of these wines comes either from the type of the grapes, or from the name of the places where the famous wineries are located, such as in Purcari, Cricova, Ciumai, Romanesti, Cojusna and Milestii Mici.

The cognac from Moldava is known as divine - that's not just the experience, but the actual name of the distilled wine. Vermouths, sparkling wines and balsamic vinegars add to the grape uses in this country. The city of Cricova claims the biggest wine cellar in the world, and the Milestii Mici cellars are an amazing 200 kilometers of natural limestone caves...

More about Moldovan wineries & vineyards around the Web:

Wines of Moldova - Fill in all of the gaps in your knowledge of Moldanian wines with deep background on wine's heritage through the Tzars, communism, and the current Queen Elizabeth's taste for Negru de Purcari -- you'll learn the facts about the wonders of the vineyards of Moldova.

Moldovan wine - Wikipedia - Excellent overview of the wines and wineries of Moldova including information on grape varieties, the geography and history of wine growing regions, photos, related references and resources.