16 Comments
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Charlotte Cook's avatar

This was excellent, I went to Moldova over the summer and loved the hospitality, food and wine. I hope to go back and see beyond around the capital.

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David Smith's avatar

Thank you! next time you're in town feel free to reach out!

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Charlotte Cook's avatar

Thanks! I wrote a piece for a South African beer magazine on the beer scene over there, when it's out I'll send you a link.

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Skylar Renslow's avatar

Loved this read, thanks David!

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Carter Hardy's avatar

I’m going to Moldova in March to visit my sister in the Peace Corps, she sent me this to study up on house wine! I’m glad I did because I wasn’t expecting all of these cultural differences like sharing a glass! Great read

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David Smith's avatar

Hey Carter - I'm guessing you'll be the guest that they pull out the full set of glasses for. But who knows! best to be prepared and just to roll with whatever comes :)

(also pace yourself, some of my visitors in my Peace Corps time ignored that advice and regretted it)

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Carter Hardy's avatar

Also, I will head your advice on pacing myself :)

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Carter Hardy's avatar

I wouldn’t mind sharing a glass, I think it’s an interesting custom!

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Holly Walker's avatar

This was a perfect encapsulation of my experience with vin de casa in Moldova. One of my favorite things was trying "must" after it had fermented for a few days and "bit my tongue".

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David Smith's avatar

I thought about getting into my adventures with "must" but decided to leave that to a later story about winemaking :)

I will say though... that stuff is dangerous.

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John Goodrick's avatar

Delightful story....most Moldova RPCVs have very similar stories, but I loved yours, David. The Moldovan people have rarely disappointed me....their hospitality surpasses all expectations. I have been back to site 5 times in 20 years and plan on continuing.....hope to see you on our next visit, David.

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David Smith's avatar

Please do let me know next time you are in town. I would love to meet up!

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Denise Riegel's avatar

Oh my! What memories. My favorite bonding with Moldovans was after helping my host pick cherries for the neighbor. When the work was done 7 of us women stood in a circle while Grandma brought out the plastic pitcher of wine from the cellar. We shared from that one shot glass around the circle. The stories and laughter and how they accepted me even though I did have a clue what was being said. Also seeing the women sharing their time together in that way without any men around. Priceless.

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David Smith's avatar

Hey Denise! I know what you mean. I have great memories of summer days with my host family and neighbors! That pitcher emerges from the cellar and magically the table is full of food and a little masa pops up out of no where!

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Michelle's avatar

I want to sit in the cellar and drink wine...

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David Smith's avatar

Right now that sounds like a good way to spend an evening to me too :)

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