Since ancient times the people living between the Prut and Nistru rivers have celebrated the end of the grape harvest and birth of their new wine. Every winegrowing family joins in these festival activities.

In autumn the courtyards of village houses are transformed into miniature wineries. The freshly picked grapes are placed in the wine press and squeezed. The “ravac”, that’s the first must of unfermented wine to be squeezed out of the grapes, is poured into the waiting casks. All villagers have a cellar in or near their house in which a cask or two are kept for guests, for holidays, or simply for when everyone is in a good mood.

For many of the traditional celebrations, such as the tasting of sweet must, everybody is welcome to join in. The villager invites his guests into his courtyard and proudly serves them the harvest from his vineyard.

Moldova has instituted a National Wine Holiday, which is held on the second Sunday in October. This formalizes an old tradition that, as soon as the new wine had settled, the winegrower invites friends and neighbours to taste the new wine. Everyone joins the winegrowers in the “hora” dances at wine holiday time.

This is when you will also fully appreciate the meaning of the traditional toast “Noroc”, which has many meanings, including, hello, good luck, happiness, health, may your wishes come true, etc.

Tags: wine