The relatively small Republic of Moldova is not widely perceived as a wine-producing nation, but it happens to be one of the historical hubs of European viticulture. Archaeological research in the country bordering Bulgaria and Ukraine and on the same latitude as Austria or Burgundy shows that viticulture was already practised here between 6,000 and 5,000 BC. A very eventful history followed suit. Viticulture, as it prevails in Moldova today, is a result of the reconstruction after the Second World War. In recent years, considerable qualitative progress has also been made, as some oenologists trained abroad and now invest their knowledge in local viticulture. A setback, however, was caused by the breakaway from Russia in 1991, as the main exporting country, and Russia even banned the import of Moldovan wines between 2006 and 2007. Today, the area under vines is about 83,000 hectares, spread over four regions, Balti in the north, Codru in the centre, Cahul in the south and Purcari in the southeast. The climate is continental, with hot summers and cold winters, mitigated by the nearby Black Sea. In addition to the indigenous red wine variety Moldava, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or for white wines, Aligoté and Sauvignon Blanc are cultivated alongside Rkatsiteli, which is widespread in Eastern Europe. Moldova's wine was once so well known that Purcari was even supplied to the British royal family at the end of the 19th century. And in Codru, the former Romanesti Tsar Winery is the largest winery in the world, so large that it requires a car to drive through the 65 kilometres of cellared vaults.
