TECHNOLOGIES

Plantations

Surface
The Călărași Divin company owns an area of 530 hectares of vine plantations, allowing us to have controlled production of grape wine for obtaining the distillates used in making divin. Starting from soil processing, vine care, grape harvesting and selection, production of dry wine material, distillation using the classic method to obtain high-quality distillate, all the way to divin production, Călărași Divin manages the entire technological process with meticulous attention to details. This allows us to create divins with distinct characteristics, recognized and appreciated by consumers in Moldova and abroad. The land area encompasses the Codru region of Moldova and the Călărași district, including the villages of Pitușca, Păulești, and Meleșeni. The entire property of Călărași Divin enjoys favorable climatic conditions and fertile soil, which enhance grape productivity in the vineyards. For soil processing and vineyard maintenance, the enterprise has access to the most modern technologies, agricultural techniques, and experienced viticulturists skilled in grape cultivation.
Grapes
On the vineyards of Călărași Divin, planted with grapevines, neutral-tasting European white grape varieties are cultivated for the production of distillates used in divin-making. These varieties include Bianca, Aligote, Sauvignon, Perveneț Magaracea, Riton, and three other aromatic grape varieties: Alb de Suruceni, Hibernal, and Muscat, used for producing distillates with the typical aroma of the grape variety, intended for making wine spirits with the same names. Once the grapes reach technological maturity, meaning they accumulate the recommended sugar concentration for producing wines destined for distillation, the harvesting process begins. Immediately after harvesting, the grapes are transported as quickly as possible to the processing line to avoid oxidation. Here, the grapes are selected as needed and subjected to the process of destemming and crushing to obtain grape must. Next, the must undergoes clarification and decantation to separate it from sediment. Selected yeast cultures are added to induce fermentation. The fermentation process occurs at a controlled temperature (18-25°C) and lasts for 3-7 days. Through this biological fermentation process, the yeast converts the sugar, in the must, into ethyl alcohol, resulting in dry wine. The dry wine is then subjected to a detailed analysis of its physicochemical and organoleptic parameters. Wine that meets the quality characteristics regulated by current legislation and standards is batched and blended in large lots, repeatedly tested, and then directed to the distillation process.

Distillation

What is a wine distillate?

It is a product obtained through fractional distillation of raw dry wine material, made exclusively from grapes of authorized varieties, cultivated in the viticultural area of the Republic of Moldova.

Our distillates

The distillation process at Călărași Divin is carried out according to the classic distillation technology. Furthermore, it possesses authentic characteristics due to the implementation of technological practices developed over the years through experimentation and the adaptation of equipment, resulting in a unique and specific organoleptic quality, characteristic only to the distillates produced at Călărași Divin. Alongside these authentic practices and equipment used, the technologists play a defining role. They monitor, manage, and go through the entire process of birthing the brandy with all its complexity, with their heart and soul deeply involved.

 

In the cellars of Călărași Divin, over 100 thousand dal of wine distillates are stored for maturation in oak barrels. These distillates include young distillates aged one year, distillates aged 3-5 years, mature distillates aged 7-9 years, old distillates aged 10-19 years, and very old distillates aged 20 years, 30 years, 40 years, and 50 years.

Maturation

Storage and Aging of Distillates

The raw distillates (young) with an alcohol strength of 62-72% vol. alc., obtained through the classical distillation process of dry white wine, undergo physicochemical and organoleptic testing. They then undergo the égalisage process based on quality, and transferred to oak barrels in the aging section for prolonged aging, until they are selected according to their age for the divin blend. The aging of divin distillates is carried out at an optimal temperature ranging from 15°C to 25°C.

 

During the maturation process in oak barrels, various oxidation-reduction reactions occur between the distillate compounds and the oak wood in contact with the oxygen in the air, which permeates through the pores of the wood over time. This results in enriching the distillate and transforming its aroma and taste from that of a young distillate to a matured one. Throughout the maturation process, compounds from the oak wood diffuse into the distillate, leading to a series of complex physicochemical transformations. As a result, unique maturation notes are formed, which intensify and refine over time. Both the aroma and taste undergo significant changes.

 

The distillates are enriched with noble notes of aging. The importance of the aging and storage process is that, over time, they lose their harshness, while developing a smooth taste and transforming the primary aroma into a “Bouquet of Aging.” As a result, the brandy distillates acquire a color, complex and intense bouquet, and an authentic, unmistakable taste.

The maturation of distillates at “Călărași Divin”

The maturation period for a “Călărași” distillate, corresponding to the age categories of divins, ranges from 3 years to over 50 years.

 

As the maturation period increases, the color, aroma, taste, and quality of the distillates intensify. Afterward, the process of creating the “drink of the gods” – the divin – takes place, which involves blending, conditioning, resting, stabilizing through refrigeration, final filtering, and bottling the product. We perceive this process as a benchmark of national alcoholic beverages.

Blending

Blending of wine distillates

A divin blend consists of wine distillates with well-defined organoleptic and physicochemical characteristics, either of the same age or older, taking into consideration the age of the divin as the final product. It also includes conditioned water or alcoholized water, which represents a distillate diluted with water up to 30% alcohol, matured in oak barrels of the same age as the distillates. Additionally, sugar syrup and sugar caramel are used to enhance the taste and color, as needed.

 

 

Our distillates

After preparing the blend, the following conditioning steps are applied: clarification, if necessary, filtration, refrigeration with final filtering, and resting or maturation of the divin blend.

Resting

Resting of a divin

Resting is one of the equally important stages to shape and refine the taste, color, and final aroma of the divin. The resting period of the divin is legally determined for each category of divin and ranges from 3 months – for divins aged 3-5 years, to 1 year – for mature divins.

Preparation for bottling

After the resting period, the divin, verified in the laboratory within Călărași Divin for its physicochemical and organoleptic parameters (color, aroma, taste), can be bottled. Only new bottles are used for bottling the brandy, and the quality of the packaging is equally important. The bottles are thoroughly inspected and tested before being sent to the bottling section. The entire bottling process takes place in a hygienic environment, ensuring compliance with all sanitary standards.

Commercialization

Commercialization

The products are commercialized in the 13 stores located in various cities of the country, including Chișinău, Bălți, Comrat, Călărași, and Cahul. The divins are delivered to other retail outlets and the Horeca sector (hotels, restaurants, and cafes) through the distribution team. Călărași Divin also exports its products to countries such as Italy, France, Ireland, Spain, the United Kingdom, Israel, Poland, Japan, and other countries.

Pre-commercialization

The storage and transportation for the commercialization of Călărași Divin products are carried out under conditions that meet the requirements of hygiene, sanitation, and environmental standards.

Călărași Divin sells its divins, brandy, wine spirits, liqueurs, and sparkling wines both in the Republic of Moldova and abroad.