National Wine Day 2026, record edition in Moldova: 114 wineries, more than 116,000 tastings

The 25th edition of National Wine Day has concluded with record-breaking results. The event, held in Chisinau October 3-4, brought together 114 wineries, while 116,880 tastings were recorded during the two days—32,233 more than in 2025, according to the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry (MAIA).

According to the organizers, 14,000 Taster’s Passports were purchased at this year’s edition, approximately 55 per cent more than last year, when more than 9,000 passports were sold. Producers, industry professionals, locals and tourists from more than 70 countries attended the event.

The anniversary edition was held under the slogan, Wine That Unites Us, and marked 25 years since the launch of National Wine Day.

According to MAIA, for the first time, tasting data was collected in real time through a digital system. The QR codes on the Taster’s Passports enabled tastings to be recorded and wines to be evaluated directly.

Approximately 2,500 people left reviews for the wines they tasted over the two days. The passport offered 10 tastings, while participants who completed seven reviews could receive two additional tastings.

White wines top the preferences

White wines were the most tasted category this year as well, with 44,686 tastings, compared with 30,763 in 2025.

Red wines recorded 34,658 tastings, compared with 29,931 last year. Sparkling wines reached 21,022 tastings, up from 13,199 in 2025, representing an increase of more than 59 per cent.

Rosé wines also saw a significant increase, from 7,733 tastings in 2025 to 12,587 this year—approximately 63 per cent more.

Divin brandies totaled 3,927 tastings, compared with 3,021 at the previous edition.

Thus, all five product categories recorded increases compared to the last year, while the total number of tastings exceeded 100,000 for the first time.

Moldova also set a Guinness World Record

The anniversary edition was also marked by Moldova’s entry into the Guinness World Records. On the first day of the event, 493 people gathered on the Great National Assembly Square to form the largest human depiction of a grapevine.

The record became one of the central moments of the 25th edition.

This year, the National Wine Day extended beyond Great National Assembly Square as well. Through the Wine That Unites Us platform, events and experiences dedicated to Moldovan Wine were also organized in hospitality venues and cultural institutions across Chisinau.

The National Wine Day is organized annually by the National Office of Vine and Wine, in partnership with the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry, the Culture Ministry and the Chisinau City Hall.