The diversity of grape-vines cultivated in Moldova

Moldovans’ ancestors were growing different sorts of  high-quality grapes - Ochiul Boului, Tata Caprei, Pasareasca, Feteasca, Rara Neagra, Tamaioasa, Zghiharda, Plavai etc. The traditional repertoire was enriched by the variety coming from the Greeks, Romans, and later – from the Turks, Austrians and French. In the end of ХIХ century in France, Italy and America there have been tested and originated new types and hybrids. In Moldova there are currently over a hundred varieties of grape-vine (Vitis vinifera L. Vitis labrusca).

They differ by the color of pearls: from straw yellow and gold – to bright pink, pink and more intense - in bright red, purple and blue to purple.

Varieties cultivated in Moldova have different periods of ripening, which extend harvest season from August to November.

The classification according to ripening period divides the varieties of grapes in early, semi early, with medium ripening time, semi late and late. In Moldova there are all the types listed. First giving ripe are Muscatul Perla and Muscatul Chihlimbariu, and  the end of the season comes with grape harvesting Coarna Neagra, Muscat de Hamburg ,etc.

By the further destination the types of grapes are divided into mass varieties (Leana, Regina) and  for industrial processing and obtaining juice, concentrates and wines of different types (in Moldova - the grapes with yellow-green pearls and rose-open Feteasca Alba ,Shardonnay, Pink Traminer, Muscat, Aligote, Sauvignon, etc.. and ruby-violet color: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Saperavi etc.)

At the category of grapes that have  dual-usage (for fresh consumption and industrial processing) are listed species Vitis labrusca (Concord, Lydia, Izabella) and Vitis vinifera (Schasla Blanc, Muscat Schasla etc..), also so-called species "stable growth” (Drujba, Moldova, Kismis Radios etc).

The high quality of pearls characterized elite species, usually these are most productive and most refined. For industrial processing and obtaining noble wines there are Muscat Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, etc.

Pinot Noir

Muscat Blanc      

                     

                     Sauvignon Blanc

Specialists-producers and distributors of wines prefer to classify the varieties according to their specific flavor:

The muscat	Muscat Blanc, Muscat Roz, Muscat de Hamburg, etc.
The rose	Traminer Roz, Traminer Blanc, etc.
The blackberry.	Sauvignon
The strawberry.	LLydia, Concord, Izabella.
The violets.	Aligote, Pinot Noir, Merlot.
The pine.	Riesling de Rein.
The flowers.	Rara Neagra, Semillon.

Structure variety

Technology Types: 

• Table Grapes - (destined for fresh consumption) -6% 
• Technicals red grapes - (cultured for further industrial processing) - 24% 
• Technical white grapes - (cultured for further industrial processing) -70%

Table varieties with their fantastic taste which has established for fresh consumption, have a small share in the cultivation of grape-vine. Between technical varieties, intended for industrial processing in the biggest part is white grapes,by them are produced sparkling wines and primary materials for champagne. Red varieties, which are the high quality wine, have a share of 30 % in total production. Should be noted that planting new massive, recently incorporated, bringing the change in this situation, increasing the share of red grape varieties.

Plantations structure depending on the type variety is presented in the following:

Types of varieties: 
European varieties - 70% 
Caucasian varieties- 14% 
Aborigine varieties - 16%

For production of different types of wines in Moldova are used mainly these varieties:

Primary material for distillation:	Aligote, Rcatiteli, Riesling Rein, Traminer Rose, Semillon, Plavai, Muscat Ottonel,Feteasca Alba, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Malbec
Varietal table wines:	Muscat Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Riesling de Rhin, Traminer Roz, Muscat Ottonel, Aligote, Feteasca Alba, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Malbec
Table Wines:	Rara Neagra, Merlot, Semillon, Aligote, Rcatiteli, Feteasca Regala, Riesling Rein, Silvaner, Saperavi, Saperavi Nordic, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Traminer group, Merlot, Pinot group
Natural and classic sparkling wines :	Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Aligote, Muscat Blanc, Riesling Rein, Feteasca Alba, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc

            

Moldova's wine range future is inseparable from varieties of high quality, widely known in 
worldwide and appreciated for the international market, as are Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Muscat Blanc, Cabernet -Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Traminer Rose, Riesling Rein, Aligote. Aborigine varieties that have greater market potential are:Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Regala and Rara Neagra. Predictions on the viticulture development According with the Programme of development viticulture and winemaking for the years 2002 - 2020, average harvest of grapes, and taking into account new plantations will be 8 t per hectare, and the arrays productivity existing following will not fall below 4-5 t per hectare. It is foreseen that 2015 - to 6.95 per hectare. During the same period will be cleared 65,000 acres of old vineyards and planted 60,000 hectares of young vines. Corresponding, the total harvest will increase the technical varieties, reaching the figure of 460,000 tons in 2020. Instantaneous willincrease the quality of picked grapes, so - and the wines produced. Necessary to mention that the new plantations will be composed mainly of red grape varieties Cabernet- Sauvignon and Merlot.

This is a list of the most spread species of grapes in Moldova:

White grapes	70%
Aligote	23%
Rkatsiteli	15%
Sauvignon Blanc	9%
Feteasca Alba	7%
Chardonnay	4%
Riesling	3%
Traminer	2%
Other(including Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Muscat)	7%

Red grapes	30%
Merlot	9%
Cabernet Sauvignon	8%
Pinot Noir	7%
Other (including Rara Neagra, Saperavi and Malbec)	6%