Moldavia began producing cognac at the end of the 19th century. At this time, winemaking in the country was at its peak, and already in 1914, vineyards in Moldova occupied a huge area.
With the advent of Soviet power, cognac production in the republic increased. However, as a result of the anti-alcohol policy at the end of the 20th century, this direction actually collapsed. The vineyards were cut down, and Moldovan cognac disappeared from store shelves for a long time.
Popular brands of Moldovan cognac
It must be said that the most popular in the USSR was the Moldavian cognac “White Aist”. Today its production has been restored. However, there are still companies that produce alcoholic beverages under this brand, which have nothing to do with real Moldovan cognac.
No less popular were the drinks Buket Moldavii and Doina, which also became the subject of falsification after the collapse of the USSR. Knowing how to choose Moldovan cognac, you can significantly reduce the risk of purchasing surrogate products.
How to choose a Moldovan cognac
The quality of Moldovan cognac has not been questioned for a long time. When choosing a drink, first of all, you should pay attention to its cost. A bottle of a real 3-star "Bouquet of Moldova" costs at least $ 7. The vintage 15-year-old "Quint Tiraspol" is estimated at $ 50.
The aging period of cognac is determined by the stars located on the label. The category of simple cognacs includes three-star drinks, the aging of which is 3 years. The cognac, whose etiquette is decorated with 4 stars, has an aging period of 4 years, respectively. This group includes: Belii Aist, Aroma, Tuzara, Ungheni, Cezar, Orfeu. Five-star cognac is aged for 5 years and has a strength of 42%.
In addition to simple cognacs, Moldova produces branded varieties. It is DVM and DVS aged for at least 6-7 years with an aging of 8-9 years. Old DVV is aged for 10-19 years. There is a DVF brand, the aging of which takes at least 20 years. There are also collectible items, the exposure of which is equal to 6 years. After that, the drink is kept in oak barrels for another 3 years.
The aging period significantly affects the quality and color of the drink. 3-star cognac has the color of a weakly brewed tea. The 5-star drink is dominated by a bright amber palette. The older Belii Aist and Aroma are, the more pronounced the vanilla taste and the thinner the aroma becomes.
The best quality cognac in Moldova is Prezident, a 40-year-old drink. It has an incredibly mild taste and rich aroma.
