Moldova holds first "Wine Vernisage"

The first Wine Vernisage expo in Moldova was held in the Palace of the Republic on 21 December 2011. It was organized by the Moldovan Wine Producers and Exporters Association with support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, and the USAID-founded CEED II [Competitiveness Enhancement and Enterprise Development II] Project.

Prime Minister Vladimir Filat welcomed the initiative of holding the wine expo to promote Moldovan wines at the local market.

"Lately, they often say about diversifying marketing outlets for Moldovan wines, about access to markets of China and the U.S., about restoration of positions at the CIS [Commonwealth of Independent States] member countries’ markets, but data shows that we lose wine positions at home, in Moldova. It is proved by data for 2010, when it was sold 44 million bottles of vodka and only 9 million of wines", Filat said.

William Moser, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the U.S. to Moldova, advised to promote alcohols at international markets under the single brand – Moldovan Wines.

Moser said that Moldovan wines are well-known at international markets, but the country still has many things to change, adding that wine producers need support.

Deputy Chair of the Moldova Wine Producers and Exporters Association, Eugen Pislaru, said that only wines Moldova is proud of were presented at the expo.

About 20 wine companies, whose products got high appreciation by consumers, took part in the exhibition. Visitors had opportunity to taste the best red and white wines, namely Cabernet, Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Saperavi, Muscat, Pinot, and Traminer produced by "Lion Gri", "Cricova", "Salcuta", "Romanesti", "Milestii Mici", "Chateau Vartely", etc.

Infotag’s dossier: The Association was created in 2002. Its share in aggregate alcohol production and exports makes 80%. About 250,000 specialists are employed in the wine sector.