Cricova Champagne

Like most genius inven ons, the drink so loved by the whole world was born by mere accident. In 1668 a French monk Dom Perignon made an unusual wine – when he slightly touched the bo le, the cork popped out with a loud sound. At that moment the monk could not know he would bring joy and pleasure to the en re humanity.

For unknown reasons the wine that has not fully fermented and con nued to ferment when spring came was so much enjoyed by its creator that he said it was as though stars had fallen into his cup.

Cricova Winery is rightly considered the fi rst discoverer and lawmaker in the produc on of the fi nest sparkling wines in Moldova.

Underground Treasure

The famous Cricova cellars…

That is the awe to share our impressions about Moldova’s major a rac on with.

It is certainly one of those rare cases when excitement is jus fi ed, for reality is far beyond the most daring expecta ons. And for good reason, because Cricova cellars are a combina on of at least three unique things to be enjoyed by travelling connoisseurs: wine cellars with a perfect natural microclimate, the richest rare wines collec on and a modern tourist complex.

For centuries the labyrinths of Cricova wine cellars have a racted thousands of visitors – from simple tourists to world fi gures. In 1966 the cellars were visited by the world’s fi rst man in space, Yuri Gagarin, who was enchanted by the local atmosphere.

Gagarin’s visit le a special mark in the place’s history. In honor of the number one cosmonaut the Chimney Hall reconstructed several years later was renamed Gagarin Hall.

Visitors of Cricova wine cellars have always had the unique chance to discover the mystery of birth of the local treasures: the famous s ll and sparkling wines of Cricova. Galleries with oak barrels, some larger and some smaller, hold what will in some me end in stores and later on people’s dining tables all over the world. Like a city, the underground place has streets, but with names unlikely to be seen on real city signs. Cabernet, Feteasca and Sauvignon – these and other similar names adorn Cricova’s galleries, keeping even the most unfamiliar visitor from ge ng lost.

The jewel of this underground treasure chest is the Cricova Wine Collec on containing the most unique wines coming from diff erent countries, made in diff erent mes. Although the collec on received its tle only in 1967, at that me it already counted over 460 wines, cognacs and liqueurs.

The collec on’s geographic and historic diversity surpasses any imagina on. Thus, it includes a part of the legendary Göring’s collec on with its famous elite Moselle, Burgundy and Rhein wines made before the Second World War.

A true jewel in the valuable wines collec on is the Jerusalem red dessert wine bo led in 1902. The wine was made in limited edi on and now there is only one bo le le in the world – it is here, in the Cricova Wine Collec on. Legend says an American business tycoon off ered a huge sum of money and several Cadillacs for the unique bo le; but especially rare wines, like valuable pain ngs, are not always for sale.

The Jerusalem red dessert wine is an inherent item of the Cricova Wine Collec on, preserved with special care in a glass case.

The jewel of the valuable wines collec on is the Jerusalem Red Dessert Wine bo led in 1902. The wine was made in limited edi on and now there is only one bo le le in the world – it is here, in the Cricova Wine Collec on.

Cricova Winery has a surprising history. On the one hand it is one of the oldest winemaking companies in the country, the pride and emblem of the en re industry. On the other hand, its more than sixty years of existence are not so much as compared to centuries that some world legendary wineries boast. But even in this short (in terms of winemaking) me span Cricova has become a name that says a lot to millions of people all over the globe.

The unique condi ons created in Cricova cellars with their stable natural microclimate help wines reveal their best quali es.

The underground city itself is a record place, for it occupies an area of more than 265 thousand km2. Located 60-80 m deep, the labyrinths of Cricova reach 120 km in length, so quite naturally it was decided in me to divide the ‘city’ into streets.

During their six decades of existence the Cricova wine cellars have become a place of pilgrimage for wine lovers from around the world. It is another advantage of the Company that hardly any other winery in the world can off er. Presidents and cosmonauts, movie stars and sports legends, government offi cials and clergy – all of them have been guests of honor at Cricova, and memories of their visits remain in a special Honorary Guest Impressions Book.

“It is always a pleasure visi ng Moldova and especially Cricova; today, however, is a special occasion that I highly appreciate”.

Terry DavisSecretary General of the Council of Europe

January 17, 2005

“These cellars abound in wonderful wines. Even the most demanding connoisseur will fi nd here a wine to their taste.

I’d like to wish you to fi ll your cellars with numerous medals awarded for these excellent wines. And if there won’t be enough metal for the medals on Earth, we promise to bring it from the Moon or any other planet. Thanks a lot to agrarian workers and winemakers for your noble work”.

Yuri GagarinApril 8-9, 1965

“With a sense of admira on and gra tude”.

Vladimir Pu nPresident of the Russian Federa on

October 07, 2002

Exclusive Cricova Cuvée Prestige Sparkling Wines

Born out of excellence and tradi on in sparkling winemaking, the exclusive Cricova Cuvée Pres ge range is what spread out the pres ge and unique style of Cricova brand around the world.

Exclusive sparkling wines are made according to the classic technology

(“Méthode Tradi onnelle”) from Pinot and Chardonnay grapes grown on the Company’s own vineyards and matured from cuvee for at least 3 years. They are dis nguished by a fresh, full-bodied and delicate taste, fi ne and persistent sparkle and a long, vibrant fi nish.

Achievements and Awards

Cricova Winery began its history in 1952, and in just 6 years the brand started to gain global renown with the 1958 exhibi ons in Hungary and Yugoslavia where Cricova wines received their fi rst important awards. Since then the Company’s products were appreciated mes without number within both na onal and interna onal contests, while the Company itself has been highly awarded by the state. Below is a list of some of the winery’s most pres gious victories:

Super Grand Prize2002 – Cricova Classic White Dry Sparkling Wine• (Interna onal Golden Griffi n Contest, Yalta, Ukraine)

Grand Prize2000 – Cricova Classic White Brut Sparkling Wine• (Interna onal Golden Griffi n Contest, Yalta, Ukraine)

2005 – Cricova Cuvée Pres ge Classic Sparkling • Wine(ExpoVin Moldova, Chisinau, Moldova)

2007 – Cricova Cuvée Pres ge Classic White Brut • Sparkling Wine(Ins tute Oenologique de Champagne, Epernay, France)

Gold2000 – Cricova Classic White Brut Sparkling Wine• (New Year’s Feast, Yekaterinburg, Russia)

2003 – Basarabia Classic White Semidry Sparkling • Wine(Prodexpo, Moscow, Russia)

2005 – Cricova Muscat Original Semidry Sparkling • Wine(FBAT Interna onal Wine Challenge, Bangkok, Thailand)

2007 – Cricova Classic Rosé Brut Sparkling Wine• (Interna onal Wine and Alcoholic Beverage Contest, Chisinau, Moldova)

2007 – Merlot Ordinary Red Dry Wine• (Interna onal Golden Griffi n Contest, Yalta, Ukraine)

2009 – Lacrima Dulce Original Sparkling Wine• (Brand of the Year, Chisinau, Moldova)

2012 – Codru Pres ge High Quality Red Dry Wine• (Prodexpo, Moscow, Russia)

Silver1996 – Cricova Classic Red Sweet Sparkling Wine• (Autumn Fair ‘96, Saint Petersburg, Russia)

2000 – Codru Collec on Red Dry Wine• (Interna onal Wine and Spirits Contest, Bucharest, Romania)

2004 – Traminer Natural Sparkling Wine• (Prodexpo, Moscow, Russia)

2007 – Cabernet-Sauvignon 2001 High Quality • Wine(Interna onal Golden Griffi n Contest, Yalta, Ukraine)

2010 – Grande Vintage 2004 Classic Collec on • White Brut Sparkling Wine(Interna onal Wine and Alcoholic Beverage Contest, Chisinau, Moldova)

2007 – Cricova Cuvée Pres ge 2004 Classic Red • Sweet Sparkling Wine(Interna onal Wine and Alcoholic Beverage Contest, Chisinau, Moldova)

2012 – Rosé de Cricova High Quality Rosé Dry • Wine(Prodexpo, Moscow, Russia)

Bronze2003 – Chardonnay Supreme Quality White Dry • Wine(Interna onal Chardonnay du Monde Contest, Bordeaux, France)

2003 – Cabernet 1988 Collec on Red Dry Wine• (Interna onal Wine and Alcoholic Beverage Contest, Chisinau, Moldova)

2003 – Dominion Ordinary White Wine• (Interna onal Wine and Alcoholic Beverage Contest, Chisinau, Moldova)