Article Text:
In the underground labyrinth of Cricova Winery, located near Chișinău, Moldova, a significant change marks the shifting winds of international relations. While the cellars boast a trove of historical wine artifacts, including bottles once owned by Hermann Goering, the pride of the winery now takes on a different character.
Once a place where high-profile visitors like President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia were honored, the winery has since made a notable decision: to distance itself from the Russian leader following his military actions in Ukraine. His collection of wine, which was among a cache of gifts presented to him in 2013 by Moldova’s then-communist president, has been effectively exiled to the shadows of these extensive tunnels.
The director of Cricova Winery, Sorin Maslo, recounted that since the escalation of conflict with Ukraine, the winery received mounting inquiries regarding the presence of Putin’s wine collection. In response, the decision was made to relocate his bottles to a dark, sealed-off area to avoid public scrutiny and discussions. The collection, while not destroyed, now rests hidden away, ensuring that visitors will not be confronted with reminders of a figure whose actions have led to geopolitical condemnation.
Notably, the winery continues to display other significant artifacts, including a gift of wine given to John Kerry during his 2013 visit, illustrating the winery’s rich history in showcasing diplomatic gifts. The removal of Putin's items contrasts sharply with this legacy, emphasizing Moldova's shift in allegiance as it grapples with its own security concerns in the face of Russian aggression.
As the situation evolves, Moldova’s Cricova Winery remains a symbol of both rich history and current political realities, navigating the complexities of its past relationships while aligning itself with a future defined by independence and integrity.
In the underground labyrinth of Cricova Winery, located near Chișinău, Moldova, a significant change marks the shifting winds of international relations. While the cellars boast a trove of historical wine artifacts, including bottles once owned by Hermann Goering, the pride of the winery now takes on a different character.
Once a place where high-profile visitors like President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia were honored, the winery has since made a notable decision: to distance itself from the Russian leader following his military actions in Ukraine. His collection of wine, which was among a cache of gifts presented to him in 2013 by Moldova’s then-communist president, has been effectively exiled to the shadows of these extensive tunnels.
The director of Cricova Winery, Sorin Maslo, recounted that since the escalation of conflict with Ukraine, the winery received mounting inquiries regarding the presence of Putin’s wine collection. In response, the decision was made to relocate his bottles to a dark, sealed-off area to avoid public scrutiny and discussions. The collection, while not destroyed, now rests hidden away, ensuring that visitors will not be confronted with reminders of a figure whose actions have led to geopolitical condemnation.
Notably, the winery continues to display other significant artifacts, including a gift of wine given to John Kerry during his 2013 visit, illustrating the winery’s rich history in showcasing diplomatic gifts. The removal of Putin's items contrasts sharply with this legacy, emphasizing Moldova's shift in allegiance as it grapples with its own security concerns in the face of Russian aggression.
As the situation evolves, Moldova’s Cricova Winery remains a symbol of both rich history and current political realities, navigating the complexities of its past relationships while aligning itself with a future defined by independence and integrity.
