The region with protected geographical indication (PGI) Valul-lui-Traian includes the districts of Leova, Cantemir, Cahul, Comrat, Ceadir-Lunga, Taraclia and Vulcanesti. The vineyards in the south of the country cover an area of 43,000 ha and are expanding annually.
The region has got its name from the biggest and most ancient historical monument located on its territory – the Train’s Wall built in the late antiquity, which, according to certain experts, used to protect the Romans from the raids of barbarians or represented the remnants of protective constructions built in the epoch of Emperor Traian. The name of the Traian’s Wall appeared in the sources for the first time in 1489.
The region with protected geographical indication Valul-lui-Traian is the cradle of liqueur wines of Moldova. They are produced in Ciumai, Trifesti, Borceag and Slobozia Mare.
Cultural environment
Quality, popularity and organoleptic characteristics of wines with PGI Valul-lui-Traian depend on a combination of natural and human factors (soil, climate, pedology, varieties, traditions, etc.) called terroir.
The geographically delimited area of Valul-lui-Traian consists of three subareas.
Tigheci Hills – a very fragmented relief, maximum altitude of 300 m, gray soils and doped black soils.
Bugeac Valley – a relief consisting of valleys and gullies, small-flow rivers; dominated by typical black soils with moderate content of humus and carbonated black soils. Soils are salty in river meadows.
Prut Terraces – the relief is mainly represented by 200-220 m high terraces. Soils are melted cinder and leached black soils.
Well aerated, but light, low productive soils ensure quality and ripeness of harvested grapes.
Specific climate provides the necessary insolation, high, but moderate temperature is determined by the proximity of the Black Sea and woodlands of Tigheci Hills.
The exclusive quality of grapes and wine is ensured by the human capital in the region, which harmoniously combines traditions and efficient use of new technologies in winemaking.
Most popular varieties
In the area with PGI Valul-lui-Traian, they grow
Red grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Saperavi, Feteasca Neagra and Pinot Noir.
White grape varieties: Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Muscat Ottonel, Aligote, Feteasca Regala and Feteasca Alba.
Red wine makes up 60% of production volume, the shares of white and rose wines make up 35% and 5% correspondingly. One of the main characteristics is use of local varieties.
Organoleptic properties of wine
Red wines: the color is more intense than in other regions, from pomegranate to cherry, fruity and spicy aromas. Rich flavor, due to high extractivity.
White wines: refined and lively, with complex and elegant aroma or bouquet and fresh fruity notes. Full balanced flavor.
Rose wines: pale-pink color with hues of raspberry and rose hip leaves. The aroma has notes of fresh fruits on a mineral basis. Soft, fruity and refreshing flavor.
Sparkling wines: golden, pale-pink and ruby color, incredibly fruity and flowery aroma. Rounded flavor.
Liqueur wines: golden color, which gets amber (in white wines) and ruby-pomegranate (in red wines) when matured. Rich and complex bouquet with flowery and fruity notes in the first years of aging, in more intense maturing is completed by the notes of caramel, roasted nuts, chocolate and sweet spices. Intense and balanced flavor.
Historical background
The historical monument “Traian’s Wall” consists of a lower and an upper part. The length of the lower Traian Wall is about 126 km and spreads from the Vadul-lui-Isac village to Tatarbunary town located on the territory of Ukraine. The length of the upper Traian Wall is 138 km, between the town of Leova (in the West) and Copanca village (in the East ). The altitude of the wall is 1.5-4 m.
Winemaking companies
Registered with the ONVV as producers of PGI wines: Vinăria-din-Vale JSC, Cricova JSC, Vinuri de Comrat JSC, Vinăria-Bostavan LLC, Chateau Vartely LLC, Mold-Nord JSC, Vinia Denovi LLC, Invinprom LLC, Vinia Traian JSC, Kazayak-vin JSC, Tomai-Vinex JSC, Corten-vin LLC, Vest Resurs LLC, Fautor LLC, Cimișlia JSC, DK-Intertrade LLC, Imperial-vin JSC, Podgoria-vin LLC, Vinăria-Țiganca LLC, Tartcomvin LLC.