Topic: Wine in Moldova

General Purpose: To inform

Specific Purpose: I want to inform my audience

about beautiful culture and wine
traditions in Moldova

General Idea (Thesis): Moldova is a small country in Europe

and has a well-established wine
industry; this country has a considerable
wine history and they made from this a
tourist attraction.

ELENA GALEANU
Introduction:
I. Attention getter: A couple of years ago, I visited my grandparents, and I
asked my grandfather, "Where do you have some water?" His answer made me
smile, and it remained memorable, "Why do you need water, when we have
wine?"
II. Thesis statement/preview: I was born and raised in a small country in Europe,
named Moldova. This country has a well-established wine industry, and it is
fascinating to discover his history of wine, what makes this country unique,
and which wine is a must to try.
Body:
I. Wine history: According to an article names "Moldovan Wine," which was
published on August 21, 2017, winemaking in Moldova has a considerable
history. There were done researches, and it was demonstrated that grapes grew
on the north side of the country a million years ago. Grape seed impressions
were found near the village of Varvarovca -dating back to 2800 BC. During the
two world wars, the production of wine in Moldova was significantly
decreased. In the 1950s, over 150000 hectares of wine yard was planted, and
by 1960 the total vineyard area had reached 220000 hectares.
A. Wine export during the history in Russia: Russia was the largest
importer of Moldovan wine until 2006, when, after a diplomatic conflict,
Russian ban Moldovan and Georgian wines. Some of the wine was still
exported in Russia, but in 2013 another strict ban cut off all wine exports to
Russia. These actions damaged the wine industry of Moldova significantly.
After the 2013 embargo, in a political piece for The New York Times,
American journalist Nicholas Kristof wrote, "If there were an Olympic
competition for the bravest country in the world, the gold medal might well
go to Moldova."
B. Other wine exports: Moldova adopted an international approach to finding
new export markets and sustainable growth. A critical challenge that arose
from this shift was how to satisfy the new customers and investors who had
different psychographics and different taste preferences from the Russians.
Tested, Moldovan wine producers started their march from quantity to
quality and from bulk to bottle.
Transition: Now that we are familiar with some historical circumstances let's look at our
second point, the unique side of this country related to wine production.
II. Wine production: According to official research made in Europe, Moldova is
the 11th largest European wine-producing country, with a production of around
2 million hectoliters of wine. In this small country is 367000 acres of vineyard
area, 266000 acres are used for commercial production, and 101000 acres are
vineyards planted around the houses used to make homemade wine.
A. Wine collection “Milestii Mici”: The Moldovan wine collection "Milestii
Mici" was recorded in 2005 in the Guinness Book as the most significant
 wine collection in the world with over 1.5 million bottles. It stretches for
155 miles, of which only 75 miles are currently in use.
B. Wine collection “Cricova”: The Cricova winery also has an extensive
network of tunnels that stretch for 120 km. Most wineries in Moldova have
their cellars, built traditionally. Most of the population also have their cellar
where they cheap their homemade wine and also conserved food for
wintertime.
Transition: If the history of Moldova and what makes this country unique didn't
convince you to try Moldovan wine, let's look to the final point to see which wine a must
is to try.
III. Must to try wines: According to an official website in Moldova
wineofmoldova.com, there are four types through which the Moldovan
winemaking shows its excellency.
A. Codru: Superior quality red dry wine, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and
Merlot, collected from plantations in the south of Moldova. The
combination of shares and methods have been thoroughly developed for
decades. In the '60s, this wine became Moldova's signature.
B. Negru de Purcari: A well-known blend of the Cabernet Sauvignon,
Saperavi, and the local variety Rara Neagra, which is produced exclusively
in the delimited area of Purcari, in Stefan Voda region. In 1878 it gained its
first medal at the International Exhibition of Paris, and later on, during the
USSR, this was the only wine of Moldova allowed to bear a label in
English, as it was exported to the West.
C. Sparkling wine made using the traditional method: The sparkling wine
is produced based on local traditions, from specially selected varieties, by
natural fermentation in bottle (traditional process), is aged for at least nine
months, and up to 3-5 years in underground galleries of Moldova.
Sparkling wine is usually white or rosé, however, sparkling red wine is also
produced.
D. Divin: The Divin (brandy) is a wine spirit with Protected Geographical
Indication, produced by specific terms of reference, being overseen by the
authorities and the producers' association. Produced by double distillation,
according to the traditional method, from local raw material, the wine
distillates are aged for at least three years in oak barrels.
Conclusion:
I. Thesis/review: In closing, if you are a wine lover, you will not regret it if you
will visit Moldova. I hope that Moldova will progress, and Moldovan wine will
be more prevalent in the USA.
II. Final attention getter: I want to end my speech with a quotation by Oliver
Goldsmith: “I love everything that is old; old friends, old times, old manners,
old books old wines.” What do you love? I love Moldova wine!
Sources:
 Volume of wine produced in European wine producing countries in 2018 (in
million hectoliters), by Nils-Gerrit Wunsch, last edited Aug 9, 2019
https://www.statista.com/statistics/445651/leading-countries-wine-
production-europe/

 News&Press Room
http://wineofmoldova.com/3-in-the-largest-cellars-in-the-world-slider/

 Moldovan Wine: Why It Matters and Why You Should Drink It, by EXOTIC
WINE TRAVEL - September 17, 2019
https://exoticwinetravel.com/moldovan-wine-introduction/

 Did You Know Moldova Makes Wine…and lots of it!, Last updated on Apr
19, 2018 by Laura Lynch
https://www.savoredjourneys.com/wine-of-moldova/