Wine.MD Recognized as a “Friend” of Historic Cafes Route, Showcasing Moldova’s Wine and Coffee Heritage
Chisinau, Republic of Moldova – On October 21, 2024, Wine.MD in Chisinau was officially honored as a “Friend” of the Historic Cafes Route, an initiative of the Council of Europe celebrating the heritage of historic cafes across the continent. The title acknowledges Wine.MD’s role in preserving Moldova’s wine and coffee culture and sharing these traditions with a European audience.
Located in a historic building on Puskin Street dating back to 1895, Wine.MD has long served as a cultural landmark. Throughout its history, the venue has been an inn, a wine shop, and a grocery, and now stands as a wine-tasting room where visitors can sample renowned Moldovan wines from historic wineries such as Castel Mimi, Chateau Purcari, and Mileștii Mici.
Mrs. Irina Gutnic, Vice-Mayor of Chișinău, welcome HCR in the capital of Moldova
The October event program featured a series of activities that celebrated this new partnership. Beginning at 5:00 p.m. with registration, guests were welcomed at 6:00 p.m. by opening remarks from prominent figures, followed by a keynote speech at 6:30 p.m. The event continued with tastings from the new Historic Cafes Route Menu, specially curated for the occasion. Attendees enjoyed appetizers like chicken liver pâté with red onion jam, main courses including pork shank with pickles, and desserts such as chocolate fondant, each paired with carefully selected local wines.
At 8:00 p.m., a presentation celebrated the origins of coffee, tracing its journey from 15th-century Ethiopia to Europe, and explained Wine.MD’s plans to expand its offerings to include specialty coffees from around the world. The evening concluded with a reflection on the significance of the Historic Cafes Route and Wine.MD’s role in promoting Moldova’s wine and coffee culture to visitors.
Valentin Ceban, Director of the National Tourism Office of the Republic of Moldova, with HCR President Arnold Klingeis
While Wine.MD is not a full member, its status as a “Friend” of the Historic Cafes Route solidifies its role in Moldova’s tourism and cultural sectors. Through this collaboration, Wine.MD will help bridge Moldova’s rich wine and coffee traditions with other European heritage routes, further enhancing the region’s appeal to travelers.
Arnold Günter Klingeis, President of the Historic Cafes Route, commended Wine.MD for its commitment to Moldova’s cultural legacy, noting that this partnership provides a meaningful way for tourists to experience Moldova’s unique wine and coffee culture in the heart of Chisinau.
