Major Wine Regions of Moldova
Moldova's vineyards are organized into three major protected wine regions.
Codru
Codru is located in the central part of the country and contains the largest concentration of vineyards. The
region's forests help moderate temperatures and protect vineyards from harsh winter winds.
Codru is known primarily for white wines and sparkling wines. Many of Moldova's historic underground
wine cellars are located here.
Valul lui Traian
This region lies in the southwest of Moldova near the border with Romania and the lower Danube basin.
The warmer climate favors red grape varieties.
Valul lui Traian produces structured red wines as well as full-bodied whites.
?tefan Voda
Located in southeastern Moldova near the Black Sea, this region benefits from maritime influence and
long sunny growing seasons.
Stefan Voda is well known for high-quality red wines and increasingly for premium dry whites.
Grape Varieties and Wine Styles
Moldova grows both indigenous and international grape varieties.
Important native grapes include:
- Feteasca Alba
- Feteasca Regala
- Feteasca Neagra
- Rara Neagra
International varieties are also widely planted:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Pinot Noir
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
Moldovan wines range from fresh aromatic whites and structured reds to sparkling wines and sweet
dessert wines.
Underground Wine Cellars
Moldova is also famous for its enormous underground wine cellars, including those near Cricova and
Milestii Mici, which contain hundreds of kilometers of tunnels used for wine storage and aging.
These cellars represent some of the largest wine collections in the world.
