Cabernet Sauvignon, Saperavi, Rara Neagra

Arguably, there is no wine more famous in Moldova than this one. Its history begins in the times when the vineyards on the slopes of the Dniester River belonged to the Zograf Monastery on Mount Athos. The story takes a new turn when Russian Emperor Nicholas I invites French colonists to continue developing the winemaking of the region. They are credited with the recipe for the famous wine “Negru de Purcari,” which won the highest award at the 1878 World Exhibition in Paris and subsequently made its way to the tables of the English queen and the Russian emperor. However, after the phylloxera epidemic and the subsequent revolution, the recipe was lost. It was not until 1956 that the recipe was restored from memory by technologist Pimen Kupcha. This wine “Negru de Milestii Mici” was produced using the “Negru de Purcari” wine technology from three grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Saperavi, and Rara Neagra, grown in the village of Purcari in the Suvorov district and hand-picked in 1988.

The wine aged in oak barrels for three years and, after bottling, was sent for further maturation in underground galleries located 80 meters deep in the village of Milestii Mici.

The wine has a dark ruby color. The aroma is dominated by notes of blackcurrant, violet, pomegranate, saffron, and prunes, unfolding in the glass with hints of dark chocolate and Eastern spices. The taste is full-bodied, balanced, with velvety tannins, culminating in a long finish with notes of ripe fruits.

Before serving, it is necessary to decant for 30 minutes to help the wine open up. The serving temperature is +16 to +18 degrees Celsius. It pairs well with meat dishes such as New York steak, veal ribs, and beef Wellington. The wine has a high potential for prolonged aging.