Quality
Is Moldovan wine good? What competitions and critics say
Plenty of independent evidence says yes. Here is what international competitions, critics and the country’s quality system say, with our own wines as examples, so you can judge for yourself.
What the competitions say
The National Office for Vine and Wine (ONVV) counts more than 7,000 distinctions for Moldovan wines at international competitions such as the Decanter World Wine Awards, Mundus Vini, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and the International Wine Challenge: 3,413 gold, 2,528 silver and 1,180 bronze medals.
What critics say
Judges of the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), writing in Club Oenologique in 2022, called some Moldovan wines “first rate” and said that drinkers who have not tried them yet “could be pleasantly surprised”. In 2021 the British critic Jamie Goode published a series on Moldova’s best wines on wineanorak.com; he scored five of our wines between 86 and 90 points out of 100, the top score going to Artitude Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Pinot Noir 2016, sold today as Artitude Trinity 2016.
What has changed
Since 2013 Moldova has had a quality system based on the EU model of protected geographical indications, with three wine regions, Codru, Ștefan Vodă and Valul lui Traian (ONVV). The industry describes its recent history as a shift “from a focus on volume to quality, terroir expression, and international recognition”, and about 90% of Moldova’s wine production is exported to more than 70 countries (The Drinks Business). Local grapes such as Fetească Neagră, Rară Neagră and Viorica are a growing part of what the country offers (ONVV).
Our own record
Our wines have won 37 awards, including 32 medals (2014–2026); every contest and wine is on our Awards page. The awards of the wines in this guide:
- 2025Gold, Mundus ViniArtitude Viorica 2023
- 2025Silver, Vinarium International Wine ContestGoliard Viorica 2023
- 2025Silver, Decanter World Wine AwardsGoliard Fetească Neagră–Cabernet Sauvignon–Merlot 2017
- 2024Gold, The WineHunter AwardArtitude Viorica 2023
- 2024Gold, Vinarium International Wine ContestArtitude Viorica 2023
- 2019Gold, International Wine Contest BucharestArtitude white Chardonnay–Muscat–Sauvignon Blanc–Riesling 2017
- 2019Gold, Mundus ViniArtitude Cabernet Sauvignon–Merlot–Pinot Noir 2016
- 2019Bronze, Decanter World Wine AwardsArtitude Cabernet Sauvignon–Merlot–Pinot Noir 2016
- 2019Bronze, International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC)Artitude white, Chardonnay blend 2017
- 2019Commended, Decanter Asia Wine AwardsArtitude white 2017
- 2018Silver, International Wine Contest BucharestArtitude Fetească Neagră–Cabernet Sauvignon–Merlot 2017
How to judge for yourself
Taste. Every one of our tour packages includes a tasting at the winery in Răzeni, about 30 km from Chișinău; or order a few bottles online.
- −10% on 6 or more bottles of wine, the same wine or mixed: the discount appears in the cart by itself.
- Free home delivery by Nova Post courier on orders from 500 MDL.
- Pickup from a Nova Post branch is free.
FAQ
Is Moldovan wine good?
Independent evidence says it can be: more than 7,000 distinctions at international competitions (ONVV), IWSC judges calling some wines “first rate” (Club Oenologique), and critics such as Jamie Goode scoring Moldovan wines up to 90 points.
What grapes is Moldova known for?
International varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, and local grapes such as Fetească Albă, Fetească Regală, Fetească Neagră, Rară Neagră and Viorica (ONVV; The Drinks Business).
Sources
- National Office for Vine and Wine (Wine of Moldova), “Enotourism Guide. Republic of Moldova”, 2025 (opens in a new tab)
- Club Oenologique (IWSC judges), “Best Moldovan Wines 2022”, 7 October 2022 (opens in a new tab)
- Jamie Goode, wineanorak.com, “Moldova’s best wines, part 3: wineries D–G”, 27 June 2021 (opens in a new tab)
- The Drinks Business, “Moldova’s National Wine Day turns 25”, 11 May 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- Doina Vin’s awards (Awards page)
