>> The Wine Festival

Let’s pretend that you are a great wine lover and you can estimate the real taste of this heady drink. Moreover, every year you visit countries were wine festivals are hold. Then it will be impossible not to mention a small country with a very rich history and rich wine traditions. Certainly, wine festivals that are held in many countries such as Italy, France, Hungary and other famous European countries are well-known in the whole world. And have you ever heard about the wine festival in Moldova? Have you ever heard about this country? Perhaps, not. However, every year in October people have the opportunity to participate in this festival which takes place in the capital of Moldova, in Chisinau. Moreover, people from many parts of the world come here to join to this universal holiday. In addition I want to say that Moldova is the only country on the world’s map that has the grape's shape. So, the connection between Moldavians and grapes is visible even on the world map.

The Moldavian tradition to celebrate the end of the collecting the grape harvest is known from the ancient times. Every family that grows grapes celebrates this event. When autumn comes every court in the Moldovan village turns into a small wine factory. The men crush the picked up branches of grapes under a big press, the received grape juice is drawn off and put into a barrel that was prepared beforehead. Every village inhabitant has a cellar in his court. The barrels with wine are stored in those wine-cellars. And when the guests come or the family wants to celebrate some holiday or just for good mood the hosts open their wine barrels. The holiday of the young wine consists in tasting the sweet must (the grape juice that hasn’t been fermented). The host of every house invites guests on this holiday and every person is welcome.

The National Wine Festival is celebrated on the second Sunday in October. The festival is held in Chisinau on the central square of the city. This festival is penetrated by the old Moldavian tradition – to invite guests and to have a very good time tasting the young wine. The cultivation of grapes is a very old tradition in Moldova. Every visitor can taste both famous European sorts of wine and local sorts. Due to their quality Moldavian wines are well-known in many countries of the world. There are the largest wine-cellars in Cricova, not far from the Chisinau. The tourists can drive through the streets of the greatest underground wine-makers’ city. The general extension of the underground streets is more than 100 km. one of the largest collections of vintage wines and large tasting halls are situated here. “The quality of the wine became our tradition”, - affirm the local wine-makers and help the visitors to understand the right sense of that remarkable drink. The majority of tourists who come to Moldova visit this underground city Cricova. So, being in Moldova try to choose the right way to get acquainted with Moldavian wines. Various travel agencies can suggest you the best routes and trips.

The wine festival is very colorful and remarkable in Chisinau. All people gather on the central square that day. There are a lot of traditional shelters of branches there where you can eat shashlik (a piece of marinated meat cooked on a special grill) and taste the young wine. While eating and drinking you can watch the magnificent performance that takes place on the square. You can watch the national dances and listen to the national songs. The sensation of the holiday and general excitement doesn’t leave you. The people are well-disposed, smile and have a very good time. By the way, when Moldavians rise their glasses with wine they say to each other only one word: “Noroc!” This word can express different meanings such as: “good afternoon”, “good luck”, “hi”, “the execution of dreams”, “good-bye” and others.

Well, I think if you want to watch this performance and taste the great Moldavian young wine you have to come to a small country in October. Hope, you’ll enjoy your trip!
Iuri Tarabanov writes about interesting travel experiences. His Discount Travel site is http://www.travelime.

From: EzineArticles