PHOTO // 23rd National Wine Day officially inaugurated in Chisinau

Chisinau, Oct 5 /MOLDPRES/- Moldova's wine is celebrated today in the center of the capital, where the 23rd edition of the National Wine Day began. Popular music and dances, traditional dishes and quality wine created a special atmosphere at the biggest celebration dedicated to wine traditions and culture in our country.

Attending the event, Speaker Igor Grosu said that the 23rd anniversary is an honorable figure, and the National Wine Day has become a calling card not only for the wine sector, but for the whole country. "It is a particularly hard work, I say this not only as a consumer, but also as a descendant of a family from the south of the country, from Cahul, which had vineyards and made wine, and I know closely how this activity is. Our winemakers have done a very important thing - they have brought fame to Moldova, making it one of the leaders in this field at the international level", he said.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vladimir Bolea emphasized that the Moldovan wine-growing industry continues to follow the path of excellence. "Everywhere we go, Moldova is talked about as a country producing high quality wines and this is due to the work of our wine producers. Behind the wine is a huge amount of hard work. The Wine Festival is a unique event in the world and wine is a part of our culture and history, red-lined in the book of our hospitality. Today we celebrate the revolutionary success of Moldovan wine on the global stage. I say happy birthday to the winemakers, today is your day, the National Wine Day, which is a synthesis of the results of your work. You have consolidated the position of our country on the world wine map, defining Moldovan wine as the most representative ambassador of Moldova in the world", Vladimir Bolea said.

The Deputy Prime Minister also thanked the European Union, the United States of America, other development partners, which have supported Moldova, through projects and programs, to overcome the crisis imposed by the Russian embargo and to become a leader on the world wine market. Bolea also noted that the Government will continue to support the sector through new subsidy and investment programs, with over 300 hundred million lei earmarked for this purpose in 2025.

Present at the event, Janusz Wojciechowski, European Commissioner for Agriculture said it was an honor to take part in this celebration. "I congratulate the winemakers for the results achieved and thank the Moldovan farmers for their contribution to ensuring food security in Europe, because in recent years we have faced the same problems and challenges - the consequences of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, natural disasters, which have affected us all. The Republic of Moldova is a candidate country for accession to the European Union and has been in a fairly intense process for some time. Accession to the EU will give you access to the European market. I want to wish you success in the referendum and I hope you will be successful. The Republic of Moldova needs the European Union, just as the European Union needs your country, because it is not complete without the Republic of Moldova, with its excellent products", Wojciechowski said.

At the same ceremony, the country's leadership nominated the best and most talented representatives of the guild, as well as the best wineries and wine cellars in the country. The distinctions were presented by the guests of honor of the event, including the Ministers of Agriculture of the Baltic States - Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, who were on an official visit to Chisinau.

More than a hundred thousand visitors are expected to attend the National Wine Day on 5 October and 6 October. The 23rd edition of the National Wine Day will bring together about a hundred winemakers under the umbrella of the country's wine brand Moldovan Wine, who will present their creations: wines that have won medals at international competitions. Wine Day is also celebrated at many wineries and wine cellars across the country.