As many of my friends know, I am a wine aficionado. Wine to me is culture, style, an endless conversation and a sign of the depth of the person's interests and tastes.
Today I would like to tell you about a special place in Moldova, the Branesti Cellars.
Located at 50 kilometers from Chisinau, the cellars show you two very different perspectives on what wine experience can mean.
First you can see the classical Moldovan underground cellar with endless tunnels sculpted in the karstic structures, one of the few resources that our land has to offer. With moldy wine bottles and "streets" full of oak barrels where wines metamorphose like butterflies to excite your taste buds years later.
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| © Alexandru Panis |
Here you will find Madeira and Marsala-like wines that are quite rare for the region with their dazzling sweetness taking you to an oriental type of paradise, reminding you of exotic spices and herbs.
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| © Alexandru Panis |
These wines definitely spark desires and might just make your soul burn, so be careful with whom you drink them...
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| © Alexandru Panis |
What is most unusual about Branesti is their Greek style maze that makes you think of the Minotaur and the hero Theseus and the ambrosia of the old world.
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| © Alexandru Panis |
There soon you will find the first Moldovan underground hotel with a wine spa and a theater stage for the most exotic plays and concerts you might imagine.
For some reasons I thought of a Roman orgy, that would last for days and, contrary to the popular belief would concentrate mainly on good wine, music, poetry and food.
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| © Alexandru Panis |
I could see a lazy Roman enjoying a feast at the Branesti Cellars.
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| © Alexandru Panis |
If you want an exotic place to visit in Moldova, do not hesitate to go there for the National Wine Day!