NECTAR OF THE GODS

NECTAR OF THE GODS

The Moldovan people believe they are chosen by God to grow grapes. This oldest wine-producing country among the fi ve OIV founding countries used to be the most important wine region in the former Soviet Union.

Text & Photos by Outlook Channel Translation by Sonia

Grape growing and winemaking are national characteristics to Moldova. In the 3rd century BC, the Greek brought traditional winemaking knowledge with them when they invaded Moldova. The knowledge of grape growing and winemaking started to spread in Moldova. Hills and valleys pave the landscape of Moldova. 75% of the land consists of Chernozem soils, best fi t for growing grapes. The climate of Moldova is much like that of Bordeaux and Burgundy, all in similar latitudes, with humid winter sand dry summers. Moldova is known as a country of sunshine because of the extended sunshine hours during the long summer days. These climatic and soil conditions endow Moldova with an extraordinary environment for growing world-famous grapes.

The country's land surface is only twice the size of Beijing but it has the world's largest underground wine cellars. Cricova wine cellars were built in 1952. The abandoned tunnels drew the winemakers' attention: the stones in the tunnels absorb humidity, keeping the temperature between 12 and 16 degree Celsius and humidity at 80% and above, perfect for wine ageing and storage. Thus the tunnels were adaptedto underground cellars.

The total area of Cricova wine cellars is 64 square kilometres, at 50 to 80 meters underground. The cellars have housed 648 kinds of wines in one and a half million bottles for over half a century. All the wines are displayed in chronological order and make a spectacular wine gallery 120 km in length. The oldest is a bottle of brandy made in Jerusalem back in 1902 and a bottle of Jan Becher produced in what is now the Czech Republic in the same year.

New Findings 新发现

1. White Storks Bring Victory

带来胜利的白鹳

During a war, white storks flew above the fortress and brought the defenders of the fortress the grapes carried in their beaks. The soldiers ate the grapes and defeated the enemies in the end. White storks became a symbol of good luck ever since. Grapes have also been an unbreakable part in the country.

2. Wine Festival

葡萄酒狂欢节

Moldova welcomes the annual wine festival in October, time of grape harvest. The tradition of celebrating grape harvest and winemaking in the form of a festival can be traced back to the 15th century.

3. Gagarin's Note

加加林的留言

Yuri Gagarin, the former Soviet Union cosmonaut, visited Cricova and left a passionate note, “If the Earth will lack metals to print medals for the local wines, I will deliver it from the moon or other planets.”

天赐佳酿

摩尔多瓦人民认为，他们是上帝造出来专门种植葡萄的民族。这个国际葡萄酒组织OIV五个创始国中历史最为悠久的葡萄酒生产国，曾是前苏联最重要的葡萄酒产地。

葡萄种植和葡萄酒酿造是摩尔多瓦的国家特色。公元前3世纪，希腊人在入侵摩尔多瓦的同时，带来了传统的葡萄酒酿造技术，葡萄种植与葡萄酒酿造技术开始在这里普及。摩尔多瓦全国丘陵和谷地纵横交错，75%以上的土地为最适合葡萄生长的黑钙土。与波尔多、勃艮第所处的地理纬度相似，冬季潮湿、夏季干燥，每年持续日照时间长，有“阳光之国”的美誉。这些气候和土壤条件，为摩尔多瓦种植世界知名葡萄品种，创造了得天独厚的自然环境。

摩尔多瓦全国的面积只有两个北京大，却拥有世界上最大的地下酒窖。克利科瓦大酒窖始建于1952年，当时这里的废弃隧道吸引了酿酒专家们的注意力。隧道中的石头具有吸湿的特性，里面的温度常年保持在12—16摄氏度，湿度保持在80%以上，非常适于葡萄酒的陈酿和贮藏，便利用这些隧道建成了地下酒窖。

克利科瓦酒窖的总面积达64平方公里，平均深度为50—80米。酒窖收藏了648种保存年限已超过半个世纪的各类名酒150万瓶，所有这些酒都按酒龄分类陈列在隧道两侧，形成长达120公里的储酒长廊。年代最久远的是耶路撒冷1902年生产的一瓶白兰地和捷克于同年生产的一瓶健身酒。