Moldovan wines reach Canada and Greece through diaspora entrepreneurs
Moldovan wines are gaining popularity among consumers around the world, largely due to the efforts of Moldovans living abroad. In Canada and Greece, two entrepreneurs from the Republic of Moldova have transformed their homesickness into a thriving business by promoting local wines in markets that face significant competition and bureaucratic challenges.
For Ludmila Terzi, who resides in Quebec, Canada, promoting Moldovan wines involves navigating a strictly regulated system where the sale of alcoholic beverages is controlled by a state monopoly.
“It’s quite complicated because I can’t collaborate directly with the supplier. I’m forced to go through the state monopoly. After that, with the transport I arrange, we deliver the wines directly to the SAC warehouse, which is the state alcohol company. From there, upon the client's order, I can retrieve the wines. It’s a long journey to get Moldovan wines from the vineyard to the local consumers, but that’s the process. We’re talking about perseverance and the desire to make quality Moldovan wines known worldwide,” Ludmila Terzi shared on the show “Zi de Zi” on Radio Moldova.
In Greece, the challenges are different. Mariana Berescu has been trying for over three years to promote Moldovan wines in a country with a winemaking tradition that spans thousands of years. To gain recognition for her product, she consistently participates in festivals and exhibitions where she offers tastings to both locals and tourists.
“At first, it wasn’t very profitable. I attended festivals and exhibitions to present our wines here in Greece. When people tasted it, they enjoyed it, and many tourists from all over the world expressed interest. It would be great if they could find our wines here when they come for vacation,” said Mariana Berescu.
Despite operating in very different markets, both entrepreneurs share a common factor: growing consumer interest in Moldovan native varieties. In Quebec, one of the most appreciated wines is Rară Neagră. Ludmila Terzi also notes that along with Canadians’ traditional preference for red wines, there is a rising interest in white wines produced in the Republic of Moldova.
For Terzi, the wine business goes beyond mere commerce; it’s also about promoting Moldovan traditions. Driven by the desire to find the wines she loved back home, she became not only an importer but also a local producer. In the courtyard of her winery, she built an oven where she prepares pies based on her grandmother's recipe, offering visitors an authentic Moldovan experience.
“However, we all develop a certain olfactory memory, and we will always seek out the wines we are accustomed to. My husband tells me, ‘Stop looking for wines you like because they only exist in Moldova. It’s better to bring them from there,’” she explains.
From the cold climate of Quebec to the taverns of Greece, Moldovan wine reaches international markets through the hard work and dedication of Moldovan women in the diaspora, transforming each bottle into an ambassador of the Republic of Moldova and its traditions.
Author Veronica Scorpan
