Kyiv, Ukraine (May 15, 2012) – Wine from 13 Moldovan wineries was presented at the Premier Palace Hotel at an event co-organized by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the UNDP Black Sea Trade and Investment Promotion Program. Janina Jaruzelski, Director of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Regional Mission for Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova and Ion Stavila, Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova in Ukraine, opened the event which enabled more than 150 guests from the Ukrainian wine trade and Ukraine press to taste vintages of Moldovan wine and to discuss regional trading opportunities with Moldovan winery representatives.

“With support from the United States Agency for International Development to improve marketing in the region and modernize industry legislation, Moldovan winemakers have responded to increased competition with increased investment and innovation, producing outstanding wines that can meet increasingly sophisticated tastes of Ukrainian customers,” Jaruzelski said in her remarks. 

A highlight of the event was a guided tasting of 10 Moldovan wines by Ukrainian sommelier Valeriya Suvertok including sparkling wine from Cricova and Lion Gri wineries; Alb de Purcari and Negru de Purcari; Albastrele Sauvignon Blanc; Feteasca Regala (an indigenous grape variety) from Gitana winery; Traminer from Fautor winery; Syrah from Equinox, a small wine producer; Carlevana Pinot Noir; and Muscat ice wine from Chateau Vartely.

Moldova has a long tradition of wine production, with deep roots in the region and long-standing linkages to Ukraine and other neighboring countries. A new generation of Moldovan winemakers is today producing even better wines to meet rapidly rising expectations of the region’s consumers. Moldovan wines have the potential to fill the growing demand in Ukraine for high-quality wine – a demand previously filled by other European producers.

Since 2006, USAID in Moldova has been assisting local wine producers to improve the business environment for winemakers through legislative reforms, strengthened wine sector associations and improved regional marketing. The current USAID Competitiveness Enhancement and Enterprise Development II Project is also making significant contributions toward the creation of Moldovan national wine brand – Wine Moldova – and is assisting the authorities to adopt and implement important reforms that will enhance the regional competitiveness of the Moldovan wine industry.