Inhabitants of the capital and tourists visiting Chisinau have the opportunity to taste the wines of 68 producers who are taking part in the 18th edition of the National Wine Day in the Great National Assembly Square (PMAN), IPN reports.

At the official opening of the celebration, Georgeta Mincu, Minister of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment, has declared that this year a production of about 700,000 tons of grapes is expected. "We hope the harvest will find its buyers here and abroad. That is why it is important for Moldovan wine to be promoted as an immaterial treasure of the Republic of Moldova”, said Georgeta Mincu.

The Minister of Agriculture has specified that 68 wine companies are present at the event in PMAN.

Gheorghe Arpentin, director of the National Office of Vine and Wine, said that the diversity and uniqueness of Moldovan wines should be extensively promoted on the domestic and export markets. "This year's edition goes beyond the boundaries of the Great National Assembly Market and extends over a surface area of 25,000 square meters. Over 1600 people worked passionately and patiently to create this wine town,” mentioned Gheorghe Arpentin.

During the official opening ceremonies of the National Wine Day, prizes and distinctions were awarded to the companies that had important achievements in the field. Thus, the prize for special merits in producing high quality wines, and promoting abroad the image of the Republic of Moldova as a wine-country has gone to Bostavan winery. Prizes have been awarded to the most successful oenologist of the year, for special merits in growing vine, as well as the best wineries in the four regions with Protected Geographical Indication.

Representatives of wineries from Poland, China and Romania were also awarded prizes for their contribution to Moldovan wine exports to the respective countries.

During the event, the president of the European Network of Wine Cities, the Portuguese Jose Calixto, has stated that Cricova has been declared " Dionis 2020 European Wine Town".

On October 5 and 6, the City of Wine will extend beyond the Great National Assembly Square, to the Nativity of Lord Cathedral Square and Eugen Doga pedestrian street.

Until October 7, at 07.00, road traffic will be stopped on Ștefan cel Mare boulevard, in the perimeter of Metropolitan Gavriil Bănulescu-Bodoni and Alexandr Puskin streets. Public transport will be redirected to adjacent streets. Parking places will be available on Alexandr Puskin, Metropolitan Gavriil Bănulescu-Bodoni, Metropolitan Dosoftei, Bulgara and other nearby streets.