Five Wines Not to Miss at Wine Day
Most wines are worth tasting during Wine Day in the Great National Assembly Square (October 3–4). However, with an enormous selection from more than 110 wine producers and distributors, tasting them all is — quite literally — impossible.
With this in mind, I have put together a selection of five wines not to miss at Wine Day: a recommendation that is, of course, subjective. These are five wines that I consider distinctive, wines that stand out from the crowd, differ from the “mass-market” style, and deserve particular attention.
Aparté Sauvignon Blanc 2025, PDO “Dealul Craveț”, Rădăcini Wines
This is the first wine from the Republic of Moldova with a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), “Dealul Craveț”.
The grapes come from a 17-hectare Sauvignon Blanc plot in Budăi, Telenești, on a hill locally known as “Craveț”. The slope has a south-eastern exposure. The grapes are hand-harvested, with controlled yields per hectare, and the wine is made exclusively in stainless steel, followed by 30 days of sur lie ageing.
It is a refined, fresh Sauvignon Blanc, with notes of green fruit and citrus and pleasant acidity — an elegant, non-commercial style.
Parcela № 12B Rară Neagră 2024, Purcari Wines
Purcari’s new Parcela collection comprises 15 wines in 15 different expressions, designed to capture the authenticity of the terroir of each individual vineyard plot.
All of them are interesting, but the Rară Neagră from Parcela № 12B stands out. It comes from a slope at an altitude of 110 metres, with south-eastern exposure and rusty-coloured limestone soil containing fragments of shells and molluscs.
An authentic Rară Neagră — probably one of the finest expressions of the variety in the Republic of Moldova — with a fruity profile of blackcurrant and blackberry, complemented by notes of pepper and clove, and a soft, velvety palate.
Suholimanschii Belîi 2025, “Holm”, Crama Neamțu
If you tasted this wine blind, you might well think it came from somewhere in northern Italy rather than Moldova.
It is quite different from the white wines typically produced here. It is aromatic, yet mineral. Suholimanschii Belîi is a cross between Chardonnay and the Romanian variety Plăvaie, created in 1949 at the Tairov Institute.
This is, quite literally, an artisanal wine: just 500 vines were planted in 2021. The micro-vineyard is located in Corjova, Criuleni, in an area locally known as “Holm”, at an altitude of 180 metres, on a slope facing the Dniester, with medium-quality clay soils.
Negru Împărat 2022, MinisTerrios Wines
A new release in a successful series, Negru Împărat is a classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, 50% each, aged for 12–14 months in Seguin Moreau French oak barrels.
The grapes come from south-facing slopes in the village of Haragîș, Cantemir, with controlled yields of 5–7 tonnes per hectare, from 20-year-old vines.
The winemaker is Dan Prisăcaru. The wine was bottled in March 2025, in a limited edition of just 6,000 bottles.
Le Connaisseur Cuvée 2021, Mileștii Mici
Even for me, it was somewhat unusual to include a wine from Mileștii Mici in such a highly selective list. Yet this wine breaks away from the classic patterns and sets a new standard for Mileștii Mici.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Saperavi, aged for 18 months in Radoux French oak barriques. A 2021 vintage wine, highly expressive on both the nose and palate, with notes of blackcurrant, sour cherry and dried plum, complemented by vanilla, cocoa and spice.
The palate is full and velvety, with well-integrated tannins and a long, balanced finish.
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