Deep in the heart of Eastern Europe nestled between Romania in the west and Ukraine to the north and east, lies the ancient land of Moldova.  Although this picturesque country is not well known to wine lovers or tourists it has a storied wine history that goes back almost 3,000 years before the birth of Christ.  Wine here is as much a part of the dining culture as in the rest of Europe.  

 

Lying 47 degrees north of the equator, (which coincidentally is the same latitude as Burgundy) Moldovan winemakers have a keen understanding of the importance of terroir and strive to make each bottle an expression of each vineyard's unique "someplaceness".  The weather here is perfect for grape growing with short, realtively mild winters and long, hot, dry summers with plenty of sunshine to ripen grapes and tannins.  Using both native and international varietals, these are wines that surprise and please the palate.

 

For our tasting this Friday we are pouring 4 wines from Moldova, each of which is perfect with a range of American and international cuisines.  We have also thrown in a Recession Buster priced Pinot Noir from Oregon to give people just one more food friendly option.

 

2008 Acorex Taking Root Pinot Gris Moldova
2005 Acorex Clos de Corten Chardonnay Moldova **

2007 Acorex Taking Root Bastardo/Cabernet 2007
Acorex Salveto Red Muscat NV Sparkling
2006 Viridian Pinot Noir Oregon

** Gold Medal winner 2008 at Chardonnay Du Monde