ASTOR CENTER/NYC
Who knew???
Former Soviet Union
territory, the Republic of
Moldova -an Eastern Europe country---has a thriving wine industry encompassing 276,000 acres of vineyards-boasting the usual suspects necessary for primo sips-climate,
terroir (limestone etc), and winemaker know-how-of the old and new...
A select group of wines from that country's four main wine regions (Valul lui Traian, Stefan Voda, Codru, Balti) were recently poured for NYC food/wine industry and media types---at the Lafayette street Astor Center-an event space above one of the 'it' wine stores in this country.
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| Vinaria din Vale-one of the biggest wineries in Moldova-we tried the Feteasca Alba 2013 and its 'sister' wine Feteasca Neagra 2013-from sandy soil, mild climate--lovely dry wines, |
Everything we tasted-was delicious-ranging from sophisticated complex-to everyday table wines...including selections featuring over 30 indigenous (Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Neagra, Rara Neagra-main ones) and western European and Caucasian varietals....
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| A family company "Fautor" was founded in the late 20th century----with growth period during 2003-2006 that makes these selections terrific. We tried Illustro 2011 Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc-Rhein Riesling made with input from French consultant ---msrp just under $20-but like most wines we tasted-not available here-yet. |
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| Matur Rozeryn Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Red Dry Wine---a crowd fav |
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| Albastrele Wines -one of the first private winemaking companies in Moldova-this winery harvest grapes from 247 acres-gained over 350 medals in international competitions since 1998. The white sparkling Brut Cuvee Aleksander 2011 high quality wine |
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| Asconi...sustainable quality wines---producer made the trip over! The Riesling 2014 is semi-dry -30,000 bottles produced, new vineyard but a big yield. |
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| Little Guy-got its name ---in homage to being the literally-little guy in world of big guy wineries. Bostavan was created in 2002 exports to over 25 countries-50 mil. bottles/year-def. one large producer |
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| Suvorov-Vin on 500 hectares in the south-winemaking merges century-old traditions and innovative technologies. |
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| mimí-neé progressive politician and winemaker Constantin Mimi-schooled in France-rich in heritage. We tired the Ice Wine Rkatiteli 2013-made from frozen grapes -7ºC ...factoid-8 kilos of frozen grapes yields only 1 liter of wine. |
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| Bubbly ---just how we love white sparkling Brut wine-bready, yeasty, crisp-mineral-ly----made using the "Methode Traditionelle" of Champagne (secondary, in-bottle fermentation+maturation)---the Cricova winery has a unique labyrinth of underground cellars....descends to 80 m down. A destination to visit... |
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| Romans conquered Moldova...hence the Taraboste name on the label from Chateau Vartely---which owns over 600 acres of prime vineyards---winning numerous awards. Aged in French barrels up to 24 months...(cabernet sauvignon)-Ice Wine is unique natural sweet wine from white grapes collected at -6-10º C-very limited production. |
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| Purcari Chateau founded in 1827-award winning offerings have earned over 180 medals from prestigious international competitions such as Decanter, Challenge International du Vin, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles... |
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| Freedom Blend -fyi- the flag of countries-celebrating Moldova's independence. |
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| limestone soil -really taste it-Alb de Purcari 212 wonderful white dry wine |
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| Fruit wines, cognacs and wines---Mold Nord-winery+distillery established in 1961 |
One of the issues for importing wine to the USA-reminded us of a group of
Corsican wines we had the privilege of tasting last year ---how to educate the casual and serious wine drinking public ---and pricing---especially given the numerous accessible values from countries such as Spain, Italy, South Africa and South American countries...plus domestic producers.
