Best Wine and Brandy Shops (Self Guided), Chisinau
Given the lack of stunning scenery – no turquoise waters or snow-clad mountains – Moldova is a country not overrun by tourists. Still, those who come here, usually do so to taste the local wines and brandies – Moldova is a seasoned grape and spirit producer. The locals are very lovable and hospitable people, genuinely ready to delight strangers with their internationally-renowned booze. Here are some of the specialized shops in Chisinau not to be missed.
"Calarasi Divin" – specialized in brandies distilled by the same methodology as that used by French cognac makers. The Calarasi Divin brand has been established since the late 1800s and includes vintages from 3 to 30 years of age.
"BasaVin" – factory shop of the family-run winery in business for over 40 years, producing superior lines of chemical-free wines made from the grapes grown at the vineyards near the Black Sea shore, on clay-rich soils, reach in minerals.
"Milestii Mici" – owned by renowned manufacturer of still, sparkling and collection wines. Here you will also find various wine accessories and souvenirs.
"Carpe Diem" Wine Shop and Bar – a boutique offering an exceptional selection of fine wines from Moldova, some of which can be tried at the bar by the glass. The shop also carries a wide choice of wine accessories and professional glasses.
"Aroma" – one of the oldest brandy-manufacturing brands in Moldova, founded in 1898. Some of their elite “divins” (Moldovan equivalent to cognac) are aged over 60 years.
To find your way to some of the best liquor stores in Chisinau for the sake of picking up a bottle or two of Moldovan-made wine or brandy noted for their quality stemming from centuries-old traditions, and at the bargain prices too, take this self-guided walking tour!
"Calarasi Divin" – specialized in brandies distilled by the same methodology as that used by French cognac makers. The Calarasi Divin brand has been established since the late 1800s and includes vintages from 3 to 30 years of age.
"BasaVin" – factory shop of the family-run winery in business for over 40 years, producing superior lines of chemical-free wines made from the grapes grown at the vineyards near the Black Sea shore, on clay-rich soils, reach in minerals.
"Milestii Mici" – owned by renowned manufacturer of still, sparkling and collection wines. Here you will also find various wine accessories and souvenirs.
"Carpe Diem" Wine Shop and Bar – a boutique offering an exceptional selection of fine wines from Moldova, some of which can be tried at the bar by the glass. The shop also carries a wide choice of wine accessories and professional glasses.
"Aroma" – one of the oldest brandy-manufacturing brands in Moldova, founded in 1898. Some of their elite “divins” (Moldovan equivalent to cognac) are aged over 60 years.
To find your way to some of the best liquor stores in Chisinau for the sake of picking up a bottle or two of Moldovan-made wine or brandy noted for their quality stemming from centuries-old traditions, and at the bargain prices too, take this self-guided walking tour!
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Best Wine and Brandy Shops Map
Guide Name: Best Wine and Brandy Shops
Guide Location: Moldova » Chisinau (See other walking tours in Chisinau)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 5
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Author: ann
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: Moldova » Chisinau (See other walking tours in Chisinau)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 5
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Author: ann
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- "Calarasi Divin" Shop
- "BasaVin" Shop
- "Milestii Mici" Shop
- "Carpe Diem" Wine Shop and Bar
- "Aroma" Shop
1) "Calarasi Divin" Shop
Moldova is famous for its wine, but also for its hard liquors. Among these of a special note is Calarasi Divin brandy, distilled by a methodology similar to that used by French cognac makers. The Calarasi wine and spirit brand has been established since the late 1800s, and includes vintages from 3 to 30 years of age.
The highlight of Calarasi line is the 25 year brandy “Stefan Voda” which is named after Moldova's prominent medieval ruler; a bottle of it will run you about US$290 (5200 lei minimum) and is well worth every penny. For cheaper options, consider seven year old divins ranging between 120 and 410 lei a piece. Also worth checking out are 10-25 year old brandies that will set you back 470-2050 lei. If the budget allows, you may try something older like 30-40 year divins whose prices start from 5700 lei per bottle.
The highlight of Calarasi line is the 25 year brandy “Stefan Voda” which is named after Moldova's prominent medieval ruler; a bottle of it will run you about US$290 (5200 lei minimum) and is well worth every penny. For cheaper options, consider seven year old divins ranging between 120 and 410 lei a piece. Also worth checking out are 10-25 year old brandies that will set you back 470-2050 lei. If the budget allows, you may try something older like 30-40 year divins whose prices start from 5700 lei per bottle.
2) "BasaVin" Shop
BasaVin is a winery and store located on Eminescu Street in the heart of Chisinau, known for offering high-quality red and white wines as well as souvenir-bottled strong liquors. The staff at BasaVin are friendly and knowledgeable, always eager to share their expertise with customers.
At BasaVin, the winemaking process is carefully controlled from start to finish. The ripest and healthiest grapes are hand-harvested in the early morning hours to keep them cool and fresh. Once the grapes arrive at the factory, they are subjected to manual selection, with a 2-stage sorting process to ensure only the best grapes are used.
The winemaking process at BasaVin is done using the most famous and professional equipment from France named “Vaslin Bucher”. The fermentation temperature is strictly controlled and the wine is matured in oak barrels to ensure the highest quality and flavor.
One of the things that sets BasaVin apart is their commitment to adjusting their winemaking technique to ensure the purest expression from the vineyard and accurately portray the vintage in their wine. They understand that each vintage is different and requires a unique approach to bring out the best flavors.
BasaVin also places a high importance on the health of their vines and grapes. They limit the harvest per each bush to ensure the best and healthiest grapes are used in their winemaking process. This attention to detail and commitment to quality is evident in every bottle of wine that BasaVin produces.
At BasaVin, the winemaking process is carefully controlled from start to finish. The ripest and healthiest grapes are hand-harvested in the early morning hours to keep them cool and fresh. Once the grapes arrive at the factory, they are subjected to manual selection, with a 2-stage sorting process to ensure only the best grapes are used.
The winemaking process at BasaVin is done using the most famous and professional equipment from France named “Vaslin Bucher”. The fermentation temperature is strictly controlled and the wine is matured in oak barrels to ensure the highest quality and flavor.
One of the things that sets BasaVin apart is their commitment to adjusting their winemaking technique to ensure the purest expression from the vineyard and accurately portray the vintage in their wine. They understand that each vintage is different and requires a unique approach to bring out the best flavors.
BasaVin also places a high importance on the health of their vines and grapes. They limit the harvest per each bush to ensure the best and healthiest grapes are used in their winemaking process. This attention to detail and commitment to quality is evident in every bottle of wine that BasaVin produces.
3) "Milestii Mici" Shop
Founded in 1969, the Mileștii Mici winery is famous internationally for having the world's largest natural wine cellar complex. Extended for 200 km, of which only 55 km are actually in use right now, the Mileștii Mici cellars are also noted for holding the biggest in the world wine collection – of nearly 2 million bottles – registered in the Guinness World Book of Records.
Some of these wines are stored for several decades prior to being sold. More than 70% of them are red, 20% are white and nearly 10% are dessert wines. The grapes from which the wines are made include Pinot, Traminer, Muscat, Riesling, Dnestrovscoie, Mileștscoie, Codru, Negru de Purcari, Trandafirul Moldovei, Auriu, and Cahor-Ciumai.
Today, the Mileștii Mici wines can be found in a multitude of countries like Sweden, Japan, the United States, Great Britain, Czech Republic, Poland, Greece, Germany, Denmark, Finland, and even China. Luckily, whilst in Chisinau, you can savor the Mileștii Mici wines without having to travel farther than the downtown area.
The available range is enormous and includes, among other “gems”, the likes of Feteasca 1987, Riesling 1986, Milestscoe 1986, Gratiesti 1986, Muscat 1988, Trandafirul Moldovei 1986, Auriu 1986, and Cahor-Ciumai 1986. All of these and more wines can be found at the firm store in the heart of Chisinau.
Some of these wines are stored for several decades prior to being sold. More than 70% of them are red, 20% are white and nearly 10% are dessert wines. The grapes from which the wines are made include Pinot, Traminer, Muscat, Riesling, Dnestrovscoie, Mileștscoie, Codru, Negru de Purcari, Trandafirul Moldovei, Auriu, and Cahor-Ciumai.
Today, the Mileștii Mici wines can be found in a multitude of countries like Sweden, Japan, the United States, Great Britain, Czech Republic, Poland, Greece, Germany, Denmark, Finland, and even China. Luckily, whilst in Chisinau, you can savor the Mileștii Mici wines without having to travel farther than the downtown area.
The available range is enormous and includes, among other “gems”, the likes of Feteasca 1987, Riesling 1986, Milestscoe 1986, Gratiesti 1986, Muscat 1988, Trandafirul Moldovei 1986, Auriu 1986, and Cahor-Ciumai 1986. All of these and more wines can be found at the firm store in the heart of Chisinau.
4) "Carpe Diem" Wine Shop and Bar
Home to a large variety of vine grapes and some of the most fertile land in Europe, it is only natural that Moldova is also home to a multitude of wineries. One such winery is Et Cetera, a newcomer to the market, but already appreciated by a large circle of enthusiasts. The winery was created by a group of young people from the wine region of Stefan Voda, Moldova, and aims to offer a fresh perspective and a new product to wine connoisseurs everywhere.
5) "Aroma" Shop
The Aroma Shop in Chisinau is the largest wineries in the Republic of Moldova. It is located in the heart of the city and has been known by different names over the years. The company's present name, AROMA, was established in 1983, when the Association of Production "AROMA" was formed. In 1998, the company celebrated its first centenary of operation, a testament to its longevity and success.
The winery specializes in the production, bottling, and marketing of alcoholic beverages, with a particular focus on divine, a type of cognac. The Aroma brandy is renowned for its exquisite taste and unique packaging design, making it an ideal gift.
The company produces around 30 different alcoholic products under the AROMA brand, with a significant portion intended for export. The assortment of products is diverse, catering to a wide range of preferences.
The winery specializes in the production, bottling, and marketing of alcoholic beverages, with a particular focus on divine, a type of cognac. The Aroma brandy is renowned for its exquisite taste and unique packaging design, making it an ideal gift.
The company produces around 30 different alcoholic products under the AROMA brand, with a significant portion intended for export. The assortment of products is diverse, catering to a wide range of preferences.
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