In brief
The Cricova Winery in Moldova highlights a symbolic snub to Russia's President Putin as bottles that were once proudly displayed have been relocated to an obscure section following the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Deep underground in Cricova, Moldova, the storied Cricova Winery has become a focal point of recent tensions involving Russia and Ukraine. This expansive network of wine cellars, famed for hosting world leaders, has provided an unintentional stage for political drama.Historically rich, the winery's collection includes a fascinating mixture of artifacts from different eras. Among these relics are the bottles that belonged to Hermann Goering, the infamous right-hand man of Hitler, captured as spoils of war by the Soviet army during World War II. Visitors can still find these treasures very much on display.Notably, the winery has also preserved a collection of 460 bottles gifted to then Secretary of State John Kerry in 2013, tucked away in designated storage. Yet, Vladimir Putin's bottles and likeness have faced a starkly different fate.Following the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Cricova Winery faced scrutiny about why the artifacts associated with the Russian leader remained visible. Sorin Maslo, the director of the winery, disclosed that the bottles gifted to Putin by Moldova's previous communist president have been removed from the public areas for fear of backlash. Although they remain intact, they have been put away in a dark, isolated corner of the vast cellar. Maslo stated, "Nobody has to deal with him," acknowledging the decision to keep the items out of sight from public discourse. This move reflects the growing local sentiment against the actions of Putin and resonates with the wider narrative of how historical ties can be challenged in light of modern-day geopolitics.
