Five-kilogram bunch, the star of the Cimișlia Grape Festival
Winegrowers from across the country participated on Sunday in the tenth edition of the Grape Festival, held in the town of Cimișlia. As is tradition, the event featured the "Giant Grapes" contest. The big winner was a farmer from the village of Burlacu in the Cahul district, who brought a bunch of grapes weighing nearly five kilograms.
The producers arrived with freshly picked grapes from the vineyard, and there was no shortage of buyers.
"We bought some very tasty and beautiful grapes, and we also want to enjoy a glass of wine. We should be able to taste it by tonight."
"That particular variety caught our eye, so we decided to buy it. We purchased two types of grapes: Avatar and another type whose name I forgot."
"It's delicious! I really like both its appearance and its taste."
One of the producers came from Cahul with a grape variety brought from overseas.
"It's an exotic variety from California, United States. It's called Halloween. The Americans originally referred to it as "witch's fingers," but the children didn't really eat it."
"If you work hard and put in the effort, you will reap the rewards."
"This is our first time at the festival showcasing varieties such as Avatar, Preobrajenie, Chișmiș, Lucistii, Podaroc Rasveta, and others."
"This year, I have a richer, more beautiful, and sweeter fruit."
"Despite the challenging conditions, we grow such beautiful grapes. The entire world appreciates our grapes."
"Our project aims to support table grapes and, in particular, small table grape producers. The project's total value is 250,000 dollars," says Tudor Robu, FAO Deputy Representative in the Republic of Moldova.
As the buyers wandered among the stalls, the winegrowers were busy weighing the grapes. The largest bunch was presented by a farmer from the village of Burlacu, Cahul district, weighing in at four kilograms and 775 grams.
Several officials and diplomats attended the event.
"I first attended this festival 10 years ago. Both the festival and the community have developed significantly since then, and it is very noticeable," said Cristian-Leon Țurcanu, the Romanian ambassador to Chisinau.
The year 2025 is expected to be favorable for winegrowers in the Republic of Moldova. With favorable weather conditions, intensive plantations of table varieties could yield a harvest of 35 to 40 tons per hectare, experts estimate.
