- Title: Moldova celebrates National Wine Day
- Date: 3rd October 2016
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Moldovan) MOLDOVAN PRIME MINISTER, PAVEL FILIP, SAYING: "The geography of our market has changed. Now the majority of our export goes to the European Union. The benefit of it is that there is no citizen of Moldova who has not noticed the increasing quality of our wines recently, as we adapt to the markets where this wine is sold. At the same time we want to return to the eastern market." OFFICIALS DRINKING WINE (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. AMBASSADOR TO MOLDOVA, JAMES PETTIT, SAYING: "I think there are Moldovan wines that are extremely competitive already in the European market and the American market. But of course it's a small country so it's difficult to penetrate some of the larger markets. I personally think that the quality of Moldovan wine is excellent. And we look forward to continuing to work with the Moldovan wine industry." PEOPLE POSING FOR PICTURES IN FRONT OF WINE BARRELS BARRELS PEOPLE AT FESTIVAL VARIOUS OF PEOPLE TASTING WINE AT BOOTH (SOUNDBITE) (Moldovan) MOLDOVA RESIDENT, IURIE BRUMAREANU, SAYING: "The National Wine Day is as important to us as the day of National Language, as Independence day. This is a wonderful holiday that identifies us as the people of Bessrabia (the historical name of the region)." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SITTING AT TABLES IN TENTS DRINKING WINE (SOUNDBITE) (Moldovan) MOLDOVA RESIDENT, ECATERINA CAPLIVATSCHI, SAYING: "Wine is very important for Moldovans, this is one of the main sources of pride." WOMEN SERVING FOOD AND WINE MAN TASTING WINE AT TABLE SERVERS PACKING WINE BOTTLES FOR CUSTOMERS WOMAN REACHING FOR WINE BOTTLE FROM SHELF WINE BOTTLES ON TABLE, WOMAN OPENING MENU (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) UKRAINE'S ODESSA RESIDENT, SERGEI BALBALAT, SAYING: "We came from Odessa and really like everything. Everything is great, people are smiling, (there's) wine, it is a celebration from the soul. No we will go choose some wine." STRAW THATCHED BOOTH PEOPLE TASTING WINE VARIOUS OF CROWD AT FESTIVAL PEOPLE AT SQUARE
- Embargoed: 18th October 2016 10:43
- Keywords: Moldova wine festival National Wine Day
- Location: CHISINAU, MOLDOVA
- City: CHISINAU, MOLDOVA
- Country: Moldova
- Topics: Living/Lifestyle,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA00252G9LBT
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Thousands of Moldovans flocked to the central square of the capital Chisinau to celebrate the National Wine Day and take advantage of a rare opportunity to taste wines from various corners of the country.
Listening to traditional songs and watching folk dance, people moved from tent to tent, tasting different wines from less-stylish brands poured from plastic bottles to exclusive ones which have won prizes at international wine festivals.
Officials were also in high spirits, celebrating the growing export to the European market.
"The geography of our market has changed. Now the majority of our export goes to the European Union market. The benefit of it is that there is no citizen of Moldova who has not noticed the increasing quality of our wines recently, as we adapt to the markets where this wine is sold. At the same time we want to return to the eastern market," Moldovan Prime Minister, Pavel Filip, said.
Russia announced a ban on imports of Moldovan wines and spirits in 2013, saying they contained impurities, a move which was received by the small ex-Soviet republic as retaliation for its drive towards the European Union.
The U.S. ambassador to Moldova, James Pettit, praised local wineries and said they can live up to the world standards.
"I think there are Moldovan wines that are extremely competitive already in the European market and the American market... And we look forward to continuing to work with the Moldovan wine industry," he said.
Exports of wines and spirits such as cognac and vodka are a big currency earner for Moldova - which has a population of 3.5 million and is one of Europe's poorest states. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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