In 1878, the Paris International Exposition was held. This large-scale industrial and cultural fair was hosted by France after its defeat in the war with Prussia to signal national reconstruction and revival. It aimed to showcase its status as a center of global culture and industry. The number of participating countries reached 36, the largest in history.
Countries from around the world showcased the best products in the fields of industry, art, science, food, and beverages at the exposition. The food and beverage pavilion featured wines, spirits, and groceries, and the judging was conducted strictly by a panel of specialized judges from the French government's Commissioner committee. Wines from various countries, including France, Britain, Austria, Russia, Australia, and the United States, were presented, resulting in fierce competition.
However, at this exposition, the representative wine from the Moldovan Purcari Winery, 'Negru de Purcari,' caused a stir by winning a gold medal. The judges were so captivated by the wine's intense ruby color and deep flavor that they mistook it for a new Bordeaux wine. They could not hide their surprise upon learning that the wine came from a small village on the banks of the Dniester River in Moldova. This gold medal win at the exposition became a turning point for Moldovan wine to be recognized for its global quality, eventually finding its way to the table of Queen Victoria of Britain.
Queen Victoria is a monarch symbolizing the peak of the British Empire. She was a figure who led the cultural standards of European royal and noble society of the time. Thus, 'Negru de Purcari' was recognized as a wine that met the tastes of the European royalty and nobility. Following this, the connection between Purcari wine and the British royal family deepened. In 1953, it was officially used as the main wine at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. It is known that Elizabeth II frequently ordered the 1990 vintage of Negru de Purcari, which led to the wine earning the nickname 'the wine of the British queen.'
In the cellar of Purcari Winery, there is a special vintage wine collection named the 'Queen Elizabeth II Collection.' This collection, which started in 1947, features labels in English and is considered one of Purcari Winery's representative treasures.
Located in southeastern Moldova, Purcari Winery is the oldest winery in Moldova. In 1827, Moldova was under the rule of the Russian Empire, and Tsar Nicholas I designated Purcari as the first official winery in Moldova. The Purcari vineyards are situated on the western hills of the Dniester River, about 60 km from the Black Sea. The warm winds from the Black Sea and the mists of the Dniester River protect the grapes from the winter cold, allowing them to ripen evenly. The long summer and short, humid winters, as well as the well-drained black soil mixed with clay and sand, give the grapes rich minerals and complex flavors.
Academia Purcari Fetească Neagră is one of the premium wines produced by Purcari, made from the indigenous red grape variety Fetească Neagră from Moldova and Romania. This variety is resistant to cold and drought, matures late, and produces deep-colored wine thanks to its thick skin. Only 6,123 bottles of the 2019 vintage were produced, inspired by the numbers symbolizing harmony and perfection. The number 6 represents the day humanity was created, 1 represents the day light was created, 2 represents the day the sky was created, and 3 represents the day the earth was created.
Purcari Winery produces wine by combining traditional brewing methods with modern facilities. The grapes are manually harvested and sorted. They follow the traditional method of fermentation and aging in Italian clay pots shaped like 'amphorae' from ancient Greece. Afterward, the wine is briefly aged in French oak barrels to add a modern touch. This is a rare method even within Moldova, chosen to pursue both the pure flavor and complexity of the grapes.
Academia Purcari Fetească Neagră features an intense ruby color, subtle aromas of ripe cherries, blackberries, blueberries, and raisins, along with soft tannins and balanced acidity. It pairs well with smoked dishes, cheese, and pasta and boasts numerous awards from international wine competitions. It received gold awards from the 2021 Berlin Wine Trophy and Vinalies International, as well as silver awards from the 2022 Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and Decanter World Wine Awards. It won the grand prize in the red wine sector at the 2025 Korea Wine & Spirits Awards, marking a total of five awards at the Korea Wine & Spirits Awards. Domestic imports are handled by HwaGang Liquor Co., Ltd.