Vinul Moldovei Vol. 4

My emotional attachment to Moldovan wine is hardly a secret to anyone who's spoken with me in person. Like vegetarians from that stupid joke, I bring up my origins within the first minute of meeting someone.

But I don't view things through rose-tinted glasses either. While I genuinely enjoy drinking Moldovan wines and following the development of new and old projects, I'm cautious about excessive national pride - it can unintentionally overshadow challenges in local winemaking. It's essential to celebrate successes, but also to discuss areas for improvement in a professional and constructive manner, without harshness or personal criticism.

And I love authenticity, which is why it's so wonderful to see so many brilliant small producers still emerging in Moldova. My favourites include the experimentalists at Somma (who don't always make good wines, by the way, but they're not afraid to take risks!), the tastemakers at Equinox (who might not be entirely my style, but it's hard to deny their quality and influence on Moldova's wine scene), the mad experimenter DiWinety, and many others. This is our fourth gathering where I bring various new releases to showcase this diversity and living dynamism.

This time the lineup is particularly exciting: a lovely traditional sparkler from Vinum Estate, white and red from Equinox's unexpectedly elegant lineup, a Riesling made from 50-year-old vines, a brand new project from people who got tired of working at a large factory and created their own small venture - producing a stunningly beautiful Malbec, a garagiste who took Ion Creangă's famous tale about Harap Alb perhaps a bit too close to heart (hence "Negru Împărat"), and a sweet wine from a large winery that clearly waited patiently in someone's cellar for years before finding its way to us.

And to give these wines their due, we're not gathering at some fancy establishment - we're meeting at a shashlik joint! Simple food and Moldovan wines, the combination that raised me, and I'm delighted to share it with others.

P.S. This tasting was available exclusively to my mono base supporters. If you'd like a chance to join these private gatherings, simply become a supporter - details are on mono base.

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