Wine Industry Updated: April 2009 Investment & Export Promotion The Wine Industry Moldovan wines have been Moldova is situated in the south-western for 85.3% of the total. In 2008 the value of appreciated and awarded part of Eastern Europe. The territory is a exports was estimated at $193.2 million. prizes at many interna- rolling hilly plain, with valleys accounting for Moldovan viticulture extends to more than tional wine competitions in a major portion of the land mass, and their 151,000 fertile hectares with most vineyards Europe, Russia and Amer- slopes making up 57% of the whole surface. (96.5%) being privately owned. A total ica, including Chardonnay The moderate continental Moldovan climate of 174 enterprises, most of them limited du Monde and Muscats du boasts plenty of sunshine and warmth, and partnerships, process grapes, with wineries Monde (France); the Inter- is characterized by a long warm period of processing about one million tons each national Wine and Spirit 260-290 days, and a relatively short cold season, and producing up to 13.8 million hl Competition (London, period that lasts only 75-105 days. The soil is of wine. Today, there are 75 wine bottling UK); VinItaly (Verona, highly fertile and grapes have been cultivated lines at 63 enterprises. Annually, Moldova Italy); INTERVIN (Toronto, on this territory for at least 5,000 years. The produces about 200-300 million bottles of Canada); and Concours main areas are at latitudes of 46-48°, the wine, 20 million bottles of sparkling wines Mondial de Bruxelles same as the famous French wine-growing and 40 thousand hl of brandy. (Brussels, Belgium). regions of Bordeaux and Bourgogne as well as the popular wine regions of northern Italy. Among the most famous wineries in Moldo- va are Cricova, Ialoveni, Romanesti, Milestii Mici, Nisporeni, Ciumai, Purcari, Cimis- Moldova’s wine industry lia, Comrat, Trifesti, Dubasari, Taraclia, is expanding: FRANCE Hincesti and Cazaiac. A wide range of wines MOLDOVA is produced, including Chardonnay, Pinot • Financial efforts to Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Moldova has increase the acre- three large underground facilities for storing age of vineyards, and maturing high-quality wines at Cricova, renovate production ITALY Milestii-Mici and Branesti. Together these facilities, improve the have a total storage capacity of over 1 million technology and ulti- hl. At Cricova and Milestii Mici, visitors can mately the quality; walk along real streets in an underground • Human resources by town, located at a depth of between 30 and attracting international Winemaking is a major part of the Moldovan 150 meters. The total length of the cavern experts and training economy, accounting for 18%-20% of GDP, streets is 100 kilometers (Cricova) and 50km Moldovan technologists; employing around 27% of the country’s labor (Milestii Mici). force. Wine has been a major area for foreign • Marketing efforts to investment in Moldova. Wine making Moldovan viticulture is characterised by develop new products, traditions, an excellent climate, fertile soil a large variety of grapes, 90% of which are increase awareness of and low labour costs have attracted foreign from Europe. The most popular white varie- Moldovan wines and vintners such as Australia’s Penfolds and ties are Aligote, Muscat (blanc, Ottonel), penetrate new markets. HDR Wines of France. German and Dutch Pinot (blanc, gris), Chardonnay, Sauvignon, firms have also concluded joint-venture Feteasca (Leanca), Traminer (blanc, rose), agreements with wine producers. 90-95% Riesling, and Silvaner. Red varieties include of still wines and 75% of sparkling wines Cabernet-Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot-Noir and are exported to 55 countries around the Malbec. There are four viticulture regions: world, with 10 CIS countries accounting Southern, South-Eastern, Central and North- Moldovan Investment and Export Ministry of Economy and Trade of the Republic of Moldova Promotion Organisation www.mec.gov.md www.miepo.md Investment & Export Promotion The Wine Industry Wine Industry World Market for Moldovan Bottled Moldova ranks 10th in the Wine in 2008 world among producers and exporters of alcoholic beverages (1.4 percent of Ukraine 22.7% Belarus 24.2% world output in 2005) Source: COMTRADE other countries Russia 30.5% 14.6% other CIS 8% ern. The Southern region is considered the A new Grape and Wine law passed in 2006 most important, and is renowned for its red, introduced stringent quality standards and sweet and semi-sweet wines. Micro-regions food safety measures into the industry. This such as Taraclia, Ciumai, Comrat, Ceadir- has resulted in all technical documentation Lunga, Baurci, Cazaiac, Tomai, and Cimislia relating to wine production being revised are also located in the southern region. in accordance with the European Union standards. Wine production is classified according to the International Organization of Vine and The high quality of Moldova’s sparkling Wine, of which Moldova is a member, and wines is much appreciated all over the the industry has a large variety of natural world, especially in the CIS. Among the wines (table wines), dry, sweet, semi-dry, most famous sparkling wines are those semi-sweet, special wines (14% to 20% al- produced in Cricova. Cricova provides an cohol), sparkling wines, divins, and brandy. ideal environment for maturing all kinds Bottled wine exports to main markets, 2006 – 2008 (€ million) 7 6.5 2 8 . 6 5 5 4.2 4 3.78 2006 3.2 8 6 . 3 2 2007 € million 2.05 2 3 6 1.57 2008 1.15 0 9 1.35 7 . 1.20 7 1 4 3 0. 9 1.05 1 5 4 4 0. 0.71 0.85 3 3 3 1 0.7 0. 0. 1 0.67 0.57 0.58 0. 0. 0.50 0.4 0.41 0. 0 UK USA China Poland Latvia Romania Germany Lithuania Eastonia Czech Rep. of sparkling wines - white, rose and red. and Wine Institute, Milestii-Mici, Nisporeni Moldova was a pioneer in the production and Stauceni. of red sparkling wine, which has a flavor of muscatel and rose petals and rivals such Moldova is proud of the divins - wine-based brands as Citrone in the world market. Cur- spirit drinks - produced in Chisinau, Balti, rently Moldova produces classic sparkling Tiraspol, Calarasi and Bardar, and sold all wines in many of its wineries. Producers over the world. These include divins for include Cricova, Vismos, the National Vine everyday consumption (3-5 years old), Ministry of Economy and Trade of the Republic of Moldova Moldovan Investment and Export www.mec.gov.md Promotion Organisation www.miepo.md Investment & Export Promotion Wine Industry The Wine Industry Moldova has registered 11 wines by their region of origin with the Export of Wines in 2002-2008 (million hl) European Union: Purcari, Romanesti, Stauceni, 2.5 Siscani, Cahul, Rezeni, 2.3 Taraclia, Ungheni, Codru, 2.1 Vulcanesti, Comrat. 2.0 1.7 1.5 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.1 1.0 0.5 0.0 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 superior quality divins (over 5 years old) and Moldovan “Heres” (Sherry-style wines) - collection divins. In the latter category, di- translucent wines the color of parchment vins such as Belii Aist - Barza Alba, Aroma, with a nuance of nut and almond and a Cezar, and Orfeu are highly appreciated piquant, slightly salty taste - delight con- by connoisseurs. Additionally, the follow- noisseurs. Ialoveni prides itself on being the ing divins have a special reputation: Nistru, largest Heres producer in Eastern Europe Doina, Bucuria, Sarbatoare, Chisinau (10 with a capacity of 100,000 hl. years old), Codru, Noroc, Dacia, Stefan Moldova has a National Voda (20 years old), and most of all, those In 2008, Moldovan wineries took part in Wine Holiday, which is matured for over 40 years such as Victoria, such exhibitions as the Riga Food Fair, Dus- celebrated on the second President and Ambasador. In 2008, 51,5 hl seldorf ProWein, Kazakhstan Food Week, Sunday in October. of divin were exported. Izmir International Fair, London Wine and It continues an old Spirits Fair, Belgium - Concours Mondial de tradition: as soon as the Moldovan vermouths are highly appreciated Bruxelles, Hong-Kong Vinexpo Asia Pacific, new wine has settled, the by both experts and consumers. Vermouths Hang Zhou World Leisure Expo, Kunming winegrower invites friends that enjoy a good reputation include Bu- Import and Export Commodities Fair, as and neighbors to partake chetul Moldovei (Moldova’s Bouquet), Roua well as others in Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, of the newest vintage. Diminetii (Morning dew), Romanita (Camo- and Romania. mile) and Toamna (Autumn), produced at Dubasari in the valley of the Dniester river and successfully exported to Russia, the Baltic States, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Poland and Germany. Moldova also produces Balsamic wines. Stejar (Oak tree), Legenda Haiducului (Outlaw’s legend), Bucuria (Happiness), and Amar-Amar (Bitter-Bitter) have a high con- sistency and the colors and flavors of black berries, plums or blossoms with a sharp, pungent flavor, moderately bitter, and with a nuance of beech. Moldovan Investment and Export Ministry of Economy and Trade of the Republic of Moldova Promotion Organisation www.mec.gov.md www.miepo.md Investment & Export Promotion The Wine Industry Wine Industry Company Profiles Some Major Wine Companies in Moldova Acorex has become a recognised leader over the past 12 years in hand-crafted, premium wines as well as quality commercial wines. Acorex Wine Holding 45 B. Bodoni St., Chisinau, Their vineyards are located in Cahul in the south that includes the Moldova, MD-2012 micro zones of Corten, Tvardita and Valea Perjei. The grape varie- Tel.: + 373 22 226635, ties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Traminer, Pinot Fax. + 373 22 242510 Acorex Wine Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Bastardo.