National Wine Day: Top homemade winemakers honored at “Golden Barrel 2024”
On Sunday, the second day of National Wine Day, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova (CCI) announced the winners of the 23rd edition of the "Golden Barrel 2024" contest. This event highlights amateur winemakers from throughout the country. More than 450 participants showcased their homemade wines, and the best were honoured for their passion and skill in the art of winemaking.
"I am proud of our winemakers, who, despite all the obstacles, continue to work diligently and always surprise us with a good wine. I wish you, esteemed winemakers, to continue to preserve the love of beauty and tradition. Thank you for your trust in the chamber institution and do not forget that you have all our appreciation and support", said Sergiu Harea, president of the CCI, at the opening of the event.
In the first stage, held between February and March 2025, over 450 winemakers from across the country registered. In the final stage, 84 samples from Orhei, Căușeni, Cahul, the Gagauz autonomy, Hâncești and Strășeni were tasted.
The competition included five nominations - from wines produced from classic Vitis Vinifera varieties and hybrids, to liqueur wines or wines aged for more than six months.
List of winners of the best homemade wines
• Best white wine: Gheorghe Pojoga (Hâncești), for “Floricica”;
• Best red wine: Ion Sarandi (Avdarma, Comrat), for “Saperavi”;
• Best rose wine: Serghei Suvac (Tănătari, Căușeni), for “Cabernet Sauvignon”;
• Best white wine – hybrid varieties: Nicolae Budu (Strășeni), for “Cuderca”;
• Best red wine – hybrid varieties: Victor Muntean (Teleșeu, Orhei), for “Crîmskii Negru”;
• Best aged red wine: Oleg Fucidji (Chirsovo, Gagauzia), for “Feteasca Neagră”;
• Best fortified red wine: Ion Agăfiță (Burlacu, Cahul), for “Cahor”.
The "Golden Barrel" competition, organized annually since 2002, aims to encourage the production of quality wine in households, to promote responsible consumption and to facilitate the exchange of experience between households and professional tasters.
Over the 22 previous editions, over 10,450 wine samples have been evaluated, and 217 of them were awarded distinctions.
