France vs. Moldova Who will be the final winner of the ‘Judgment of Paris’, a battle with rank insignia? [최현태 기자의 와인홀릭]

Asia Wine Trophy 2024, the only wine competition in Asia certified by the International Wine Organization OIV, opens/’Discovery of Daejeon’ France vs. Moldova clash/Moldova wines sweep 1st to 3rd place as a result of blind judging

Discovery of Daejeon 2024 blind judging wine. Reporter Choi Hyun-tae

As soon as I put it to my nose, the elegant scent penetrates my nasal passages. It’s like a mix of a well-made French Saint-Emilion Grand Cru and Burgundy Chambolle Musigny. As soon as you take a sip, the elegant scent felt by your senses is amplified several times and leaves a very long aftertaste. After much deliberation, the reporter who participated as a judge decided that among the five wines A, B, C, D, and E, E was a French wine and ranked first. The aggregate results are also similar. E gets the highest score and takes first place. However, the identity of E revealed on the big screen is not French wine. The Moldovan wine, Carpe Diem Bad Boys! This can’t be happening. The judges seemed shocked by their scores. Moreover, Moldovan wine took all 1st to 3rd places.

Moldova wine region. Moldova Wine Association

◆Moldova wine history

Moldova is a landlocked Eastern European country with a rich wine history and culture, located between Romania and Ukraine. The history of Moldovan winemaking dates back to around 3000 BC, with the first vines dating to around 7000 BC. Fossil leaves of an ancient grape species, Vitis Teutonica, believed to have originated in the Tertiary Cenozoic Era, were discovered near the village of Naslavcea, Donduseni district. Additionally, grape seeds believed to be from the Miocene Era, which began 23 million years ago, were discovered in the village of Bursuc, Floresti district. Based on these relics, it is presumed that grapes were cultivated and livestock were raised in Moldova during the Cucuteni-Trypillia culture period between 6000 and 4000 BC, one of the oldest civilizations in Europe. At that time, residents cultivated grains such as wheat, barley, sorghum, oats, peas, and peas, as well as cherries, plums, vegetables, and grapes. Grape seeds were found in several settlements discovered during excavations.

Panoramic view of Moldova’s vineyards. Pukari Instagram

Like its deep history, Moldovan wine and vines are deeply rooted in Moldova’s culture, mythology, folklore and legends. What’s interesting is that even the map of the Republic of Moldova is shaped like a bunch of grapes. In Moldova, the wine industry accounts for 3.2% of gross domestic product (GDP) and 7.5% of Moldova’s total exports, employing more than 250,000 citizens in more than 150 wineries. In particular, Moldova has the highest density of vineyards in the world, accounting for 3.8% of the country’s land and 7% of its arable land.

Chateau Christie Vs Louis Jadot. Reporter Choi Hyun-tae

◆Chateau Christie Vs Louis Jadot

Nine judges participated in the Discovery of Daejeon 2024 blind tasting held as a side event of the Asia Wine Trophy 2024. The group consists of a champion sommelier group that has won various sommelier competitions, a diploma group that has achieved WSET level 4 in the international wine expert course, a current journalist with extensive wine knowledge and experience, and a YouTuber with a doctoral degree who has been a judge at several world-famous wine competitions. Three expert panels were assigned to each media group and conducted a blind review over three rounds. In addition, the Asia Wine Trophy judges also tasted blindly together in the audience and scored the wine together.

The first judging was a white wine Chardonnay competition. Instead of assigning points, the wine was selected as superior.

Chateau Christie Chardonnay. Instagram

Unveiled white wine A is Moldovan wine Chateau Cristi Chardonnay Barrel Fermented 2021. B is Louis Jadot Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume 2021, a famous producer in Burgundy, France. Result Louis Jadot won 7 to 2. After much deliberation, the reporter chose B Louis Jadot, but the choice was decided by a narrow margin. The sense of smell was almost similar, and I could detect the elegant notes of Chardonnay in both, but the elegant notes of Louis Jadot stood out more in the palette. If we had scored them, there would probably have been a slight difference. Lee Sang-hang, CEO of Barry Wine, a French wine importer who attended the competition, said, “Moldova’s Chateau Christie was good enough, but it was a matter of style rather than quality. Many people supported Chablis, which showed a more natural and elegant look. “Me too.”

Chateau Christie Chardonnay. Instagram

Chateau Cristi produces some of Moldova’s finest wines by reviving centuries-old family winemaking practices of the Cristi family. It owns a vineyard in Valul Lui Traian, one of Moldova’s representative wine regions, and has a cool climate due to the influence of the sea. In particular, it is evaluated that Chardonnay similar to Burgundy is produced in the ‘wine belt’ at 47 degrees north latitude, such as Burgundy. Chateau Christie Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, like Burgundy, is barrel-fermented from the beginning. When brewed this way, the oak flavor does not stand out and blends naturally with the fruit flavor. Chateau Christie Chardonnay is barrel fermented, but it is a bit different from Burgundy. Burgundy uses French oak for both fermentation and maturation, but this wine is fermented in French acacia barrels and aged for 5 months in Romanian Transylvanian oak barrels, showing a complex taste with various layers. Only 6,600 bottles are produced per year. It starts with apple and peach, and as the temperature rises, mild tropical fruit scents such as melon are added, and elegant vanilla notes blend in naturally. It goes well with lean tenderloin, pork, and chicken, and goes well with fruits, olives, pistachios, and nuts.

Chateau Christie Chardonnay CMB Gold Medal. Instagram

Chateau Christie Chardonnay Mundus Vinny Gold Medal. Instagram

Chateau Christie Chardonnay Gilbert & Gailla Double Gold Medal. Instagram

It received gold medals in 2019, 2020, and 2021 at Mundus Vini, one of the world’s three largest wine competitions held in Germany every year, and also at the Concours Mondial De Bruselles, one of the world’s three largest wine competitions in 2022. The 2020 vintage received a gold medal from CMB). In addition, Gilbert & Gaillard, a famous French wine guide with a history of over 50 years, is receiving good reviews in many competitions, including awarding the Double Gold (Grand Gold) for this year’s 2022 vintage. Chateau Christie is imported by Viniders Korea.

Moldova Radacini Reserve Vs Chateau Le Puy Cuvée Emilian. Reporter Choi Hyun-tae

◆Radaccini VS ‘Drop of God’ Chateau Le Puy

The second round is a red wine match. D is Radicini Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2019 from Moldova, and E is Chateau Le Puy Cuvee Emilien 2020 from Bordeaux, France. In the red match, Moldova’s Radacini won 6-3. Each of the three groups received an even evaluation of two votes. As expected, it was not easy to determine superiority or inferiority, but Radacini stood out with its more natural balance and elegant notes.

Chateau Le Puy Cuvée Emilian. Instagram

Chateau Le Puy 2003 introduced in God’s Drops.

Volume 21 of the wine manga ‘Drops of God’ features French Bordeaux wine, described by the main character Shizuku Kanzaki as ‘a wine like the soft earth laid on the floor of a forest where untouched trees grow in abundance.’ This is Chateau Le Puy Cuvée Emilian. The 2020 vintage is 85% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec, and 1% Carménère. Chateau Le Puy is famous as a producer that has grown grapes organically for over 400 years without spraying a single drop of pesticide. Aged in French oak barrels for 24 months, this wine displays a variety of flavors including blackberries, floral aromas, herbs, licorice, cassis, and graphite.

Vasile Luca Radacini CEO and Chief Winemaker. Reporter Choi Hyun-tae

Radacini Reserve. Reporter Choi Hyun-tae

Radacini Reserve is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah produced in Codru, Moldova’s leading producing region. It is also aged in French oak barrels for 24 months. Red plums, blackberries, cassis, leather, and vanilla come together, with velvety soft tannins. It goes well with barbecue, steak, grilled shrimp, Amatriciana pasta, and Bolognese spaghetti.

Radacini wine. Reporter Choi Hyun-tae

Radacini means ‘root’ or ‘origin’ in Romanian. It is a name that expresses the will to capture the long history of Moldovan wine in one glass. Established in 1994, Radacini produces a variety of wines from 1,000ha of vineyards in various producing regions of Moldova. It has won many awards in over 100 competitions, including the 2023 Asia Wine Trophy Gold Medal. Radacini is imported from Avecwine.

Discovery of Daejeon Judging Red Wine. Reporter Choi Hyun-tae

◆Moldova vs Bordeaux Grand Cru Classé

The third round is a match between three types of Moldova red and two types of Bordeaux Grand Cru Classé. A is Bordeaux Saint-Estèphe’s wine Chateau Lafon Rochet 2018, B is Moldova’s Purcari Freedom Blend 2021, C is Purcari Negru de Purcari 2020, D is Bordeaux. Chateau Talbot 2020 in Saint-Julien, E is Carpe Diem Bad Boys 2018 in Moldova. The results are amazing. The shocking result was that Moldovan wine swept all 1st to 3rd places, with Carpe Diem in 1st place, Fucari Freedom Blend in 2nd place, Pucari Negro de Fucari in 3rd place, Lafont Rocher in 4th place, and Chateau Talbor in 5th place. The reporter chose Chateau Talbot in second place and Lafont Rocher in third place, but also chose Carpe Diem in first place. This wine received the highest evaluation, with the Champion Sommelier group ranking it 2nd, 3rd, and 5th, the Diploma group ranking it 1st, 2nd, and 5th, and the Media Group ranking it 1st, 1st, and 2nd. This day’s event does not prove that Moldovan wines are superior to French wines. However, it is significant in that it confirms the potential of Moldovan wine. In particular, its great appeal is that although it is relatively cheaper than Bordeaux wine, it has a similar level of quality and is cost-effective.

Carpe diem wine. Reporter Choi Hyun-tae

◆Life is carpe diem

Carpe Diem is one of teacher Keating’s famous lines from the movie ‘Dead Poets Society’ starring Dustin Hoffman (teacher John Keating). In Latin, it means ‘enjoy today’ or ‘be faithful to this moment today.’ Carpe Diem, the signature wine of Casa Vinicola Luca, stays true to this phrase and presents excellent cost-effective Moldovan wines that help you enjoy life today.

Moldova’s representative breed. Moldova Wine Association

Carpe Diem Bad Boys is made with 45% Peteasca Negra, 45% Saperavi, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Merlot, and starts with ripe black cherry, followed by a colorful and deep bouquet with black pepper aroma, toasty bread smell, and vanilla. Wow, the concentrated taste is impressive. The structure is very solid and dense, and the tannins are as soft as silk. It is aged for 12 months in French oak barriques and only 6,150 bottles are produced per year. Feteasca Neagra is a variety mainly grown in Eastern European countries such as Moldova and Romania. It has a spicy and smoky fruit character and good tannin structure, making it a variety with good ripening potential. Saperavi is Georgia’s representative red variety, rich in flavor, taste, color, tannin, and structure, and has excellent aging potential.

Casa Vinicola Luca winemaker and owner Ion Luca. Reporter Choi Hyun-tae

The winery is led by Ion Luca, the fourth generation winery owner and passionate winemaker who studied wine in Moldova and Germany. Luca produces some of the most Moldovan wines that best express Moldova’s terroir. It’s classic, but also blends well with the latest trends. Ion Luca served as the first president of the Moldova Wine Retail Association and has led the association for eight years, making a great contribution to promoting Moldova wine to the global market. Carpe Diem is imported from WS Trading.

Panoramic view of Pukari Winery. homepage

◆Moldova’s first official winery, Pukari

The last emperor of Russia, Nicholas II, England’s George V and Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth II. There is a wine they all love in common. This is Chateau Pucari, Moldova’s first official winery. This wine was also used at the coronation ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II and is still supplied to the British royal family. This earned it the nicknames ‘the Queen of England’s wine’ and ‘the wine of the Russian Emperor’. In 1827, Russian Emperor Nicholas I issued a special decree designating Chateau Pukari as the first winery in the Bessarabia region and granting it a professional winemaking license. Moldova’s first official winery is Chateau Pukari. Bessarabia is a historical place name that referred to the land of present-day Moldova during the time of Imperial Russia.

However, the history of Pukari goes much further back, to the 12th century. By the end of the 12th century, Moldova’s wine industry had grown to become a major axis of the Southeastern European economy. This is because Moldova has a very suitable environment for grape growing, and in particular, the vineyards in Pukari Village in Moldova were outstanding. This is because the latitude, soil, and climate are very similar to Bordeaux. Pucari’s wine history began in the 18th century when settlers from France recognized this and formed a partnership with the Agon Zograf monastery in Pucari village to produce special wines.

Fucari Negro de Fucari. Reporter Choi Hyun-tae

Fucari gained international fame when he received a gold medal at the 1878 Paris World’s Fair. This is Negru de Purcari, who took third place in Discovery of Daejeon 2024. It is mixed with 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Saperavi, a Georgian native variety, and 5% Rara Neagra, a native Moldova variety, and is aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. When you hold it to your nose, you can feel the scent of black fruits such as black cherry and black plum, and herbs such as fig and saffron, and over time, a rich chocolate scent emerges. Although it has a solid framework, the tannins are soft as silk and the wine is well-balanced with fresh acidity.

Pukari Freedom Blend. Reporter Choi Hyun-tae

Pucari Freedom Blend, which took second place in Discovery of Daejeon 2024, is composed of 65% Saperavi, a native breed of Georgia, 20% Rara Neagra, a native breed of Moldova, and Bastardo, a native breed of Ukraine. (Bastardo) Mixed with 15% and aged in French oak barrels for 12 months. It begins with sour cherry, red cherry, cranberry, and red currant aromas, and as the temperature rises, it leads to dried plums, and tertiary flavors such as spicy aromas, wet forest soil, and leather are also clearly felt. There is a reason why the three indigenous breeds representing the three countries were mixed. This wine was created in 2011 to mark the 20th anniversary of Moldova, Georgia, and Ukraine’s independence from Russia, and contains the philosophy that it is ‘the wine of all people who will never again be slaves, the wine of freedom.’ For this reason, Pukari Freedom Blend is called a wine that contains the ‘heart of Georgia’, ‘terroir of Moldova’, and ‘free spirit of Ukraine’.

Fucari Pinot Noir de Fucari. Reporter Choi Hyun-tae

In the 15th volume of the wine comic ‘Drops of God’, Pukari wine appears as ‘the hidden famous wine of the Republic of Moldova loved by the British royal family’. What’s interesting is that it’s Pinot Noir, which is not an indigenous variety. According to the Moldova Wine Association, Moldova’s Pinot Noir production is ranked 4th in the world after France, the United States, and Germany, and the country is passionate about Pinot Noir production. Pinot Noir de Pucari is receiving rave reviews as a fascinating wine that simultaneously expresses the classic elegance of European wines and the liveliness and modernity of the New World. Made from 100% Pinot Noir and aged in French oak barrels for 6 months. The fruity aromas of strawberries, red cherries, raspberries, and violets are well expressed, and the deep complexity of velvety tannins and moderate oak aging leaves a long lingering taste.

Reporter Choi Hyun-tae is an internationally certified wine expert who earned WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 3 Advanced, French Wine Expert Course FWS (French Wine Scholar), New Zealand Wine Expert Course, and California Wine Expert Course Capstone Level 1&2. I’m an expert. He has served as a judge for CMB (Concours Mondial De Bruselles), the world’s largest wine competition held in Europe every year, and as a judge for the Sopexa Korea Sommelier Competition, and since 2017, he has been a judge for the Asia Wine Trophy, the only wine competition in Asia accredited by the Organization of International Wine (OIV). I am active. We provide readers with valuable wine information based on our winery tour experiences in various countries such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Loire, Alsace, Italy, Portugal, Australia, Germany, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Georgia, and China.

Reporter Choi Hyun-tae [email protected]

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