In brief
Deep beneath Moldova's surface, the Cricova Winery, a renowned destination for dignitaries, has made a significant change. President Vladimir Putin's wine collection, gifted by Moldova’s former communist president during his previous visits, has been relegated to a sealed, dim corner of the winery's expansive 75-mile underground tunnels. This decision comes in the wake of international scrutiny after Putin initiated a large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The director of Cricova Winery, Sorin Maslo, explained that the removal was a response to the “lots of questions” they received regarding the decision to keep the collection visible. The winery continues to display bottles associated with other notable visitors, including Hermann Goering from Nazi Germany and bottles gifted to former Secretary of State John Kerry. Despite the change, the winery has not destroyed Putin's collection; it has simply been tucked away to prevent any further controversy.The Cricova Winery, which has a history of hosting high-profile individuals, reflects the shifting political landscape in the region as Moldova distances itself from associations with Russia amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions. The winery's actions underscore the broader narrative of changing allegiances and the impact of global politics on cultural institutions. As Moldova navigates its own path forward, the quiet storage of Putin's wines serves as a symbol of the current rift between the former Soviet republic and its powerful neighbor.
