Nine winemakers received "Golden Barrel" awards on National Wine Day
They were rewarded for their hard work and the passion they bring to transforming grapes into wine. Nine winemakers received awards today at the "Golden Barrel" (Polobocul de Aur) competition, held as part of National Wine Day. The celebration didn't stop there; Great National Assembly Square was filled with visitors who came to sample wines, taste traditional dishes, and spend their Sunday enjoying the festive atmosphere.
Among the winners is Timofei Pogor, who won the award for best rosé wine. This marks his eighth "Golden Barrel" (Polobocul de Aur) award. The winemaker from Văsieni, in the Ialoveni district, has cultivated vines and made wine for over 50 years.
"The secret to a wine lies in where the vine is planted—the type of soil and the orientation—because vines love the sun. It is a source of great joy for both the district and the village that the Botna Valley is home to people who produce such fine wine," says Timofei Pogor.
For Tudor Șeptilici from Ungheni, the award he has just received will join the two others he won in previous years.
"This is a craft passed down from my parents. And may I recite a poem? 'Wine can bring joy, happiness, and freedom, but it can also be a poison. And the true value of wine is not understood by those who drink it like water,'" the winemaker said.
The "Golden Barrel" (Polobocul de Aur) competition has reached its 24th edition. Five hundred samples from 20 districts were entered in the first stage, and nine winners were ultimately selected.
"The participants are evaluated by a jury of experts—renowned oenologists from the Republic of Moldova. Assessments cover various categories: white wine, red wine, aged wine, semi-dry, and semi-sweet. Scores are awarded for each using a blind tasting method, meaning no one knows whose wine is being judged," notes Sergiu Harea, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
While the wines took center stage at the competition, visitors also enjoyed another highlight of the festival: traditional cuisine. Great National Assembly Square was packed, and queues formed at the food stalls.
At some stalls, 100 grams of meat cost as much as 100 lei. Vendors say the prices are justified by ingredient and preparation costs.
"There are many expenses involved; even if you were to simply raise the animal, grill the meat, and eat it at home, it would still cost you," says chef Valerian Ciocan.
Not all visitors shared this view. Some say the prices are too high and that they can only afford such purchases during the holidays.
"Not for us. You could buy half a pig in the village for that kind of money."
"A quail and a hundred grams of skewers each. It’s tasty, it’s good. We paid 500 lei for two portions. I suppose that’s not exactly a small amount, but it’s reasonable—it’s the sort of thing you can treat yourself to once a year."
Others said the prices are reasonable and that the dishes are worth trying at least once a year.
“—I had some quail, some pork, and sausages. —How much did you spend on everything? —Not much; the prices are reasonable, believe me.”
“Skewers with cabbage salad. I don’t even know how much I paid... 485 lei. To me, that’s OK.”
National Wine Day was established in 2002 and is celebrated annually on the first weekend of October.
