Tag Archive for: morocco

Introducing Moldova

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First thing’s first…where is it?

Located in the Balkan region of Europe, in 1991 it declared its independence but from the 15th to 20th century was passed successively to Moldavia, the Ottoman Empire, Russia, Romania, the Soviet Union, and Ukraine.

This is a tiny nation with around 3.5 million citizens, and it’s the poorest in Europe. Approximately 1/5 of the working age population earn money from the wine industry.  Moldova produces the highest amount of wine per capita in the world.

The climate is ‘warm and moderately continental’ and the average annual temperature is between 6º – 12ºC (for the UK it is between 6º and 14ºC).

The Wine Industry

Moldova has been growing grapes for over 5,000 years so it’s no newcomer.  The country grows a mix of international and regional grape varieties.  In truth, many producers opt to plant the more recognisable varietals, but the local grapes are far more interesting.  You will see varieties such as Fetească Neagră, Fetească Alba, Rară Neagră and Plavai – also found in the neighbouring wine regions in Romania and Bulgaria.

Every October, Moldova hosts the National Wine Day festival. There are free shuttles between wineries and exceptionally cheap wine tastings too.

Five years ago Moldova was the least visited country in Europe.   Then, the Lonely Planet named it #2 ‘off-the-beaten-path’ destination in the world.  And what a boost that was – now it sits proudly one from the bottom with Liechtenstein below it!

The wines from Moldova, like every country, vary from distinctly average to really rather good.  There is excellent value to be found but the Moldovan wine renaissance has only just begun…

You can enjoy the two wines we have from the Bostovan winery whilst we keep an eye out for more treasures from this fascinating country…

Moldovan Wines

 

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A little Latin and a great story…

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Let’s face it, with the squalls of the last few days, autumn is definitely upon us!   And with that, it’s time to pull back on our stocks of the pink stuff.  Don’t fret though, we’ll always have our delicious rosé wines throughout the year, we just manage our stocks a little closer.  It is a simple fact that rosé is enjoyed best when the sun is beating down on us and not when its blowing a hoolie outside!

One rosé that we have always enjoyed hails from an unusual origin – Morocc0 – and is made at Domaine de la Zouina, near Meknes.  The wine is called Volubilia, named after the ancient city of Volubilis, 30km north of Meknes.  Wanting to know a little more about the origins of the name, I discovered that Volubilia (Volubilis) translates from Latin as rolling, or revolving, or in constant movement.  Indeed, how many of us ever stopped to think about the origins of the famous Volvo car manufacturer?  It translates to ‘I am rolling’.

The city of Volubilis was founded in the 2nd century and thrived under Roman rule in its early years thanks to an extensive olive industry (grape vines came a little later).  Wealth was plentiful and with it brought fine architecture and extensive mosaics. The uncovering of the site is in part thanks to a collaboration of the Getty Conservation Institute with local archeologists and is considered to be one of the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco.  Now an established UNESCO world heritage site, it’s definitely worth a visit.

As for the wine, Volubilia is available throughout the year – deliciously pale and dry, it makes for a great glass of wine at the end of the working day!

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