Polobocul de Aur competition awards best Moldovan homemade wines

The 24th edition of the ‘Polobocul de Aur’ (Golden Bud) competition concluded in Chișinău during Moldova’s National Wine Day. Organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova, the annual event aims to recognize the best homemade wines and promote responsible consumption and local traditions.

This year’s competition saw over 500 participants from approximately 20 districts, with 110 wines reaching the republican stage. The jury evaluated various categories, including wines made from Vitis Vinifera, hybrid varieties, Vitis labrusca, aged wines, sweet wines, and those made from indigenous or new selection varieties.

Gheorghe Pojoga from Ciuciuleni, Hîncești district, received the Grand Prize of the competition for his Cabernet, which was also named the best red sweet wine. Other winning producers hailed from regions including Congaz, Peticeni, Cojușna, Văsieni, Avdarma, Vulcănești, Ungheni, and Cazaclia.

Sergiu Harea, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, noted that over 10,500 samples have been evaluated across the competition's history, leading 14 producers to transition from home winemakers to internationally recognized brands. Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Eugeniu Osmochescu emphasized that homemade wine is a vital part of Moldovan roots and national image.