A new approach to production is needed to better promote the Moldovan wines abroad. According to the Moldovan authorities, the wineries in Moldova should produce wine from combined types of grapes, not from only one type as until now, director of the National Office of Vine and Wine Gheorghe Arpentin said in a tasting event where 20 types of wine made from national types of grapes were presented, IPN reports.
According to Gheorghe Arpentin, the combination of sorts of grapes can be a new profile for the Moldovan wines. In connection with global warming, an increasing number of wines accumulate sugar and, respectively, a high level of alcohol and are thus not in demand on the market as the consumers now want lighter wines. “The national grapes are very well adjusted to our climate and we should realize what we have to do based on this,” said the Office’s director.
He also said that the National Catalogue contains 42 types of grapes for making wine, but the vineyards in Moldova 55% consist of five types of grapes from which 85% of the Moldovan wine is made. “We now have only wine made from one type of grapes and we encounter difficulties on foreign markets as we do not have what to show to distinguish ourselves from those who sell the same Savignon, Cabernet, Merlot etc.”, concluded Gheorghe Arpentin.
Ion Luca, director of the winery “Carpe Diem Wines”, said the domestic types of grapes have been the most serious challenge during the last few years and each producer is doing their best to cope. Such wines as Cabernet, Chardonnay and Merlot, which are made from one type of grapes, are sold all over the world, but the consumers now look for combined wines that have a different aroma and taste. “These are unique and interesting and can be found nowhere else,” stated Ion Luca.
Diana Lazar, vice director of the USAID Moldova Competitiveness Project, said Moldova can distinguish itself abroad and can become much more interesting for foreign consumers if it combines types of grapes through which Moldovan traditions and specific features can be transmitted. “All the top international wines are specific as they are a perfect combination of different types of grapes,” she stated.
The tasting event involved Swedish sommelier Andreas Larsson, who is considered one of the most important wine critics and tasters. In 2007 he was named the best sommelier in the world. He came to create mixtures of wines from national types of grapes.
