The World Congress on Vine and Wine, held for the first time in Moldova, concluded with the adoption of 14 new resolutions in viticulture, oenology, economics, law, safety, and health
They were adopted at the 23rd General Assembly of the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV), held at the end of the Congress, which took place in Chisinau from June 16 to 20. The resolutions are notable for their strategic importance, setting out clear guidelines on: preventive measures and interventions to eradicate Flavescense dorée epidemics in grapevines, new provisions for wine-based spirits through the updating of the OIV international standard on labeling, a new evaluation method proposed for international wine competitions, and new guidelines on education and communication to reduce excessive wine consumption. The Director of the National Office of Vine and Wine, Stefan Iamandi, noted that it was a great honor for Moldova to host this World Congress, which addressed the most pressing issues facing the wine sector worldwide. According to him, this event is an important recognition for our country and confirms that Moldovan wines, promoted under the Wine of Moldova national brand, are internationally recognized for their quality. “In addition to the official sessions, the most valuable outcome of this congress was the professional relationships and cooperation that were established here,” said Stefan Iamandi. In turn, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Ludmila Catlabuga noted that the wine sector in Moldova has undergone numerous changes in recent years due to multiple crises, but it has managed to become more sustainable, more modern, and of higher quality, and to establish itself on international markets. The head of the Ministry of Agriculture thanked all participants in this extremely important event for Moldova. During the General Assembly, the OIV awarded honorary distinctions to four people who distinguished themselves through their valuable contribution to the organization's activities: Christiane Blum from Luxembourg, Ann Mohlén Årling from Sweden, Ricardo F. Nuñez from Argentina, and Gherghe Arpentin from Moldova. He is considered a leader in the wine sector, both nationally and internationally. OIV Director General John Barker emphasized that Gherghe Arpentin is a well-known figure both in Moldova and abroad, particularly thanks to his work as Director of the National Office of Vine and Wine for many years. In this capacity, he played an important role in the transformation of the Moldovan wine sector, contributing to its modernization and the launch of the national brand Wine of Moldova. “I had the opportunity to work directly with Professor Arpentin on an important project for the wine industry, and this experience reinforced my respect for his clear vision and professional integrity,” said John Barker. Over the course of five days, around 500 national and international experts analyzed trends in the wine industry and sought solutions to pressing issues during 300 discussion sessions. Guests also made a number of technical visits to Moldova's most famous wineries. "This event was extremely important for us as it marks a new stage in the OIV's century-long history. We are very pleased to collaborate and bring people together from all over the world to benefit from international scientific references in the wine industry and find solutions to the challenges we face. As for Moldovan wine, the quality of the wine, as well as the value for money, are absolutely exceptional," said Adrian Oelofse, representative of the South African wine industry. "I firmly believe that wine does not belong to any one nation—it is the result of a collective heritage created through the exchange of knowledge. We represent 51 countries within the OIV, we are constantly learning from each other, and this diversity makes us stronger. Before coming here, we knew almost nothing about Moldova's wine tradition, but this Congress has given us all the opportunity to learn, discover, and build valuable bridges between wine cultures," said Fernanda Spinelli, President of the Subcommittee on Analytical Methods of the International Organization of Vine and Wine in Brazil. The event was organized by the OIV in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry and the National Office of Vine and Wine. Moldova has been a member of the International Organization of Vine and Wine since April 3, 2001, becoming the first CIS country to join the OIV. In 2024, the International Organization of Vine and Wine celebrated its 100th anniversary. // 23.06.2025 — InfoMarket.
