One of the most famous wineries in Moldova is the one mentioned in the subtitle of this entry, famous, not only for its fine wines, but also for its unique and seemingly—I haven’t participated yet—fun events, which largely focus on their cellar. “Cellar?” you ask? Yes, that’s right. I know, winery events are usually confined to concerts and art exhibitions, but how does a cellar run sound to you? If you imagine this to be a simple sprint through a short, cask-lined tunnel, think again. Elie Douglas, writing in the January 25, 2019, edition of Decanter, will disabuse you of that belief.
More than 350 runners have taken part in an underground 10k race in the Mileștii Mici wine cellar in Moldova. Runners from across the world took part in the 10k race….
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Runners were treated to traditional music, drinks and local food along the 10k route, which mostly passed through underground cellars lined with wine barrels but also included some outdoor sections in the snow.1
Oh, and I must mention that this wine cellar is huge. As a matter of fact, in 2005 Guinness World Records listed it as having “the largest wine collection in the world.”
For this entry, I tasted their “universe,” a blend of two leading international varieties. You guessed it: Cabernet Sauvignon (75%) and Merlot (25%).
Sensory Evaluation: Color: Ruby. Nose: medium intensity dark fruit, specifically blackberries, black currants, and black cherry, and some jam, probably owing to the presence of the Merlot. Palate: Dry, with a medium level of acidity and medium (+) tannins, which are soft. Flavor characteristics: black currants. Finish: medium (+). ABV 13.5%.
As many of our readers know, this type of blend is quite common, as Merlot uses its velvet whip to tame the otherwise aggressive Cabernet Sauvignon. While tasting this wine, which I must say is a very enjoyable experience, I asked myself if, had I not known where it was from, would I have been able to identify its provenance. I ruled out Chile, California, France, and then I stopped, realizing that it must be the Moldovan terroir at work.
1Douglas, E., “Ten km run held in Moldovan underground wine cellar,” Decanter (January 25, 2019).
Drinking Japan 