HwaGang Liquor recommended 'Viorica de Purcari,' a white wine produced in Moldova, as a drink for the summer.
According to HwaGang Liquor on the 7th, Moldova is a small country with a population of 3.3 million located between Romania and Ukraine. Thanks to its grape-growing history dating back to 2800 B.C. and the wine industry, which employs 15% of the economically active population, Moldova has established itself as the 14th largest wine exporter and 20th largest producer in the world.
The symbolic space of Moldovan wine is the underground wine cellar 'Mileștii Mici.' This underground storage facility, converted from a limestone quarry stretching 200 kilometers, contains over 1.5 million bottles of wine aging at temperatures of 12-14℃ and humidity levels of 80-90%. Road signs for different grape varieties, such as 'Cabernet Street' and 'Fino Street,' have also been installed.
'Purcari,' loved by the British royal family, symbolizes the history and reputation of Moldovan wine. Since designated the first special winery in Moldova by Russian Emperor Nicholas I in 1827, it has been served at the royal table through three generations from Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II. In 1878, 'Negru de Purcari' won a gold medal at the Paris Exposition, gaining worldwide recognition, and it is currently exported to over 25 countries.
Viorica is a variety developed in Moldova in 1969. 'Viorica de Purcari' boasts a complex aroma that blends notes of acacia flowers, citrus, basil, and tropical fruits. Thanks to its high acidity and refreshing minerality, it remains fresh even during the hot summer.
It has a bright golden color with subtle amber highlights, initially centered around acacia flower aromas, but as the temperature rises, flavors of apricot and pineapple unfold. With an alcohol content of 13%, it is a dry style with medium acidity and a smooth texture leading to a long finish.
It pairs well with seafood platters or scallops with lemon butter sauce. The flower aroma of the wine and its minerality cleanly balance the iodine flavors of the food. It also goes well with fresh herb chicken salad, complemented by basil and sage herbs, and pairs nicely with smoked cheese or macadamia.
It proved the potential of Moldovan white wine by winning a gold medal at the 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) and a gold medal at the 2021 Brussels International Wine Competition. A representative from HwaGang Liquor noted, 'The subtle and cool mineral aftertaste, reminiscent of acacia flowers, will refresh the hot summer in Korea.'