Following the 46th World Congress on Viticulture and Winemaking, which was held in Chisinau on June 16–18, the 23rd General Assembly of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) took place on June 20. During the OIV General Assembly session, four individuals were honoured with Merit Distinctions for their valuable contributions to the work of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine.
The recipients were Christian Blum (Luxembourg), Anne Molen Orling (Sweden), Ricardo F. Núñez (Argentina), and Gheorghe Arpentin (Moldova).
Gheorghe Arpentin is a well-known figure both in Moldova and internationally, particularly for his work at the helm of the National Office of Vine and Wine (from 2016 to 2020). In this capacity, he played an important role in transforming Moldova’s viticulture and winemaking sector, contributing to its modernisation and to the development of the national brand, Wine of Moldova. I had the opportunity to work directly with Professor Arpentin on a project of great importance to the wine industry, and this experience strengthened my respect for his clear vision and professional integrity,” noted OIV Director General John Barker.
It is remarkable that Gheorghe Arpentin first came into contact with the OIV in 1979, when an International Symposium on Winemaking, attended by the OIV President, was held in Chisinau. At the time, he was a student at the Chisinau Polytechnic Institute and volunteered at the event.
This event was significant for Moldova’s wine industry, as the Moldavian SSR, which was then part of the USSR, was a major wine producer, and Chisinau became the venue for an international forum dedicated to wine.
