The bottles might be dry and dusty, but handling the Russian president's wine can cause perspiration. A stash of Vladimir Putin's wine sits in the Cricova wine cellar outside Chisinau, capital of little-visited Moldova.
Pat Kinsella
Cricova wine cellar —
The underground cellars at Cricova in Moldova are so vast, sometimes it's better to drive.
Pat Kinsella
Underground wine city —
Oceans of sparkling white are made in this subterranean wine city using Dom Pierre Perignon's celebrated Methode Champenoise, and conditions are perfect for storing.
Pat Kinsella
Noul Neamt monastery —
An enclave within Moldova, Transnistria is a nation in its own eyes only -- no other country officially recognizes it. Noul Neamt monastery (pictured) claims to have Transnistria's highest bell tower, offering views over the surrounding farmland.
Pat Kinsella
Inside Noul Neamt —
Noul Neamt was shut down by the Soviets in 1962 and turned into a hospital.
Pat Kinsella
Winemaking in Transnistria —
Moldova produces excellent wines -- Negru de Pucari is said to have been a favorite of Britain's Queen Victoria.
Pat Kinsella
Noul Neamt's bell tower —
Soviets once cut the bell ropes in the tower, but efforts to remove crucifixes using a tractor ended up in the driver's death.
Pat Kinsella
Outside Noul Neamt monastery —
The monks moved back into Transnistria's Noul Neamt monastery in 1991, shortly before Moldova became independent.
Pat Kinsella
Munchausen statue —
Baron Munchausen's tall tales are celebrated with a statue and a saddled cannonball outside Tighina fortress.
Pat Kinsella
Lenin's legacy —
Statues of former Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin stand sentinel outside official buildings in Tiraspol.
