EntranceCrimean semi-sweet wines are the best. Crimean wines: classification, main producers
Ancient peoples began to use grapes for a long time to obtain a drink with unique taste characteristics. Often, the history of winemaking has a mythological quality.
One can easily assume how the inhabitants of the Crimean peninsula came up with the idea of using grapes. Juicy berry juice quickly begins to ferment and turns into an alcoholic drink.
Let's remember that in ancient times winemaking became a real art. The attachment of the population to wine increased every day, and winemaking developed and opened up new opportunities for the use of a raw product.
On a global scale, a huge contribution was made by the Crimean winemakers. Excavations of archaeological sites indicate that in the Crimea the culture of wine production dates back to the 7th-6th centuries. BC e. This area has always been an arena for ethnic and military conflicts, and sometimes this has been a detrimental factor for fertile plantings. Winemaking either ceased to exist, then revived with renewed vigor.
The invasions of warlike peoples led to the decline of the wine-making cultures of the Crimea. However, in XIII the influence of the Genoese union significantly affected the entire trade of the peninsula.
The Genoese already by the XIV century. possessed all the lands of Crimea, including Sudak and Balaklava. Thanks to foreigners, the locals got one of the best periods in history for the development of agricultural activities. Trade not only contributed to the winemaking business, but also stimulated the development of activities to improve production technologies in general.
Over time, the Sudak region becomes a wine-growing center that successfully trades with all nearby areas, including Russia.
A hundred years later, Crimea is conquered by the Turks, after which winemaking is experiencing hard times. Vineyards were destroyed and thousands of men and women died in wars. Art had to be restored again, as well as the culture of the whole people.
In the 19th century, winemaking was resurrected again. The main character becomes Count Vorontsov, who in his possessions in the Crimea begins to actively plant vineyards. Products made in its suburbs bore a special label "Aged in the cellars of Vorontsov". Grappa from grape cake was sold under the guise of vodka and was called "Vorontsovskaya Starka".
By the middle of the century, there were up to 400 vineyards in the Crimea. The area of the planted territory was 3.5 thousand hectares.
By the 20th century, production increased, and samples of Crimean wines dazzled at exhibitions in Italy, France and Belgium. At the same time, educational institutions teaching the art of winemaking were opened.
The success of college graduates directly depended on their enthusiasm for work, and now the professionals in their field began to actively spread knowledge about winemaking throughout all the lands of Crimea and Russia.
Today, Crimean wines are supplied throughout Russia and neighboring countries. Drinks from the fertile lands of the wonderful peninsula are popular with true connoisseurs of winemaking, as they have outstanding characteristics that are highly appreciated by both sophisticated winemaking connoisseurs and ordinary people.
Classification of Crimean wines: table, strong, dessert, liqueur, flavored, sparkling
Table wines
Table wines are usually served daily.
They are characterized by the fact that they contain sugar in the following proportions:
0.3% - dry;
1-2.5% semi-dry;
3-8% - semi-sweet.
The amount of alcohol varies from 9 to 14% vol. It depends on the level of sugar that is contained in the grape juice.
By the way, wines are also divided into:
red(obtained by fermentation of juice and pulp, due to which the coloring matter remains in the wine);
pink(during production, the fermentation aging time is limited, and the must is processed as for white wine);
white(made from purified grape juice, which is why aromatic and tannins give the wine a rich bouquet).
Dessert wines
Produced from grapes with a high degree of sugar content. For this, the berries are harvested ripe and overripe. At the same time, the sugar content should be at least 22-35%.
The fermentation process is stopped artificially when the sugar content in the liquid has reached the desired level.
The amount of sugar separates wines into:
semi-sweet- 5-12% sugar and 14-16% alcohol;
Sweet-14-20% sugar and 15-17% alcohol.
Liquor wines
Liquor wines contain up to 35% sugars and 17% vol. alcohol. They are usually made from grape varieties with a high sugar content. Wines of this type include Pinot noir, Rkatseteli, Cabernet Sauvignon, Saperavi, etc.
Fortified wines
Fortified wines have above 20% vol. alcohol with a sugar content of 1 to 14%. Fortified wines are very popular - port, Madeira, sherry. Distinctive feature in the production of strong wines is that the technology requires heating the wine material for a 3-year period on special solar platforms or chambers.
TRADITIONAL RUSSIAN HOME ALCOHOLIC DRINKS: TINCTURES
Flavored wines
Flavored wines are obtained by mixing base grape material and alcoholic extracts of herbal ingredients. Often, the bouquet of flavored wines includes sage, thyme, mint, cinnamon, wormwood and other natural flavors. Taste characteristics acquire an extensive floral, citrus, resinous and nutmeg hue. The main properties of the product are acquired thanks to the essential oils that are part of a particular flavor. The taste of wine is usually with a noticeable bitterness and spice. The color depends on the type of flavors and can acquire both a golden color and a bright red.
Sparkling wine
The technology for the production of sparkling wines is such that the drink is saturated with carbon dioxide, due to which it becomes effervescent. Dioxide mimics the natural mechanisms of fermentation. Sparkling wine is made in a large tank that can withstand an internal pressure of 630 kilopascals, which is three times the pressure in a car tire. Not to be confused with sparkling wine, which is a carbonated drink that uses artificially introduced carbon dioxide.
The main producers of Crimean wines:
Koktebel
This brand of Crimean wine is the most common. It is distinguished from other enterprises by a high level of quality and individuality. In terms of aroma, color and taste properties, the wines of the Koktebel plant have no equal. It was formed in 1944. Features are due to such categorical characteristics as soil, slope, temperature and the creative message of the winemaker. This creates the uniqueness of the unique wine drink. The Koktebel plant is located in the village of the same name not far from Kara-Dag. The locals used to call the village the "Land of Blue Peaks", since the town is surrounded by mountains. Koktebel produces more than 20 types of different wines and 7 types of cognacs, with an individual taste and flavor bouquet.
The best wines factory - Pinot Gris, Old Nectar, cognacs - Koktebel, Kutuzov.
Magarach
Since 1828, Magarach has been the largest research institution, which not only trained the best winemakers of the Crimea, but always worked to improve the technology of wine production and its characteristics. The association's specialists are trying to increase the number of grape varieties and create special agronomic complexes for professional care of the vineyards. Magarach is a sign of development and exceptional quality.
The best wines from Avoda - "Ruby Magarach", "Bastardo", "White Muscat", "Pink Muscat", "Magarach No. 25", "Pino Gris Magarach".
Inkerman
Inkerman positions itself as a vintage wine factory. Enjoys stunning success with true connoisseurs and connoisseurs of Crimean wines. Inkerman creates masterpieces that can compete even with their foreign counterparts. Ideally developed wine production technology helps to create unique vintage wines. Conditions are created specifically for aging complex varieties of wine. The temperature remains at the level of 12 to 16 ⁰С. Humidity is provided by a depth of 5-30 meters in the stone depths of underground mines.
This is a classic winery, declared by the International Organization of Winemaking one of the best in the world.
The varieties are aged in oak containers, the fund of which is 700 bottles and 7,000 barrels. On average, the exposure is two to three years.
The best varieties factory Inkerman - almost all table wines.
Sevastopol winery
Founded in 1936, the plant is engaged in the production of sparkling wines. Here they work according to the technology developed by Lev Golitsyn himself. Factory workers try to keep secret the peculiarities of the production of such wines. Muscat sparkling wine was awarded the Grand Prix Cup in Montreal in 1965. In total, the plant's products have more than 20 valuable medals for amazing taste qualities. They are very popular in many EU countries.
Top Brands- "Muscat sparkling wine", "Sevastopol sparkling wine".
New World
The Novy Svet plant has a century-old history, which confirms its right to be called one of the best producers in the Crimea. It received its name in honor of the village in which it is located. A number of the most popular sparkling wines are produced here. Travel companies arrange tours of the plant and talk about winemaking technologies. In front of the plant itself there is a monument to the founder and main inspirer of the plant - Golitsyn. Thanks to him, wine was delivered directly to the tables of the emperor of the Russian Empire and was always in honor of the entire nobility of the 19th century. In modern times, namely in 2008, this enterprise was awarded an award from the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine for outstanding success in preserving traditions and developing winemaking in Crimea.
Top Brands plant - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Aligote, Cabernet Sauvignon.
Massandra
Perhaps the most favorite wines of both connoisseurs and ordinary people belong to the Massandra winery. Geographically, it is located above the park of the same name, and is located near the Simferopol highway. The association is widely known. Production has always been based on scientific and analytical achievements. At international competitions and tasting samples, the famous white muscat received the main prize several times.
The excellent products of Massanda are savored, enjoying the delicious bouquet of southern herbs and the tart nature of the seaside lands. The plant creates special storages - enotecas, which can boast of specimens of wines that are up to 200 years old.
The best wines factory - "I-serez", "Pinot-Gris", "Sherrez", "Kokur", "Muscat pink Massandra", "Bastardo", "Aligote".
Culture of wine drinking in Crimea
Drinking wine begins with a glass, it should be perfectly transparent and colorless, preferably crystal, since only such characteristics will help to appreciate the game, color and bouquet of the drink.
The culture of wine drinking includes several rules:
The stronger the drink, the smaller the container should be;
Table wines are drunk from small glasses, and sparkling wines from glasses of various shapes;
Wine should be drunk slowly, in small sips, spreading taste properties drink;
Wine should be stored at a temperature of 12 degrees;
White champagne must be served at the beginning of dinner, and pink or red semi-sweet and nutmeg - with dessert or fruit;
As an aperitif, it is best to serve dry champagne, sherry, port wine and vermouth.
Steps of alcoholism: Check yourself for addiction
Remember that the pleasure of drinking wine is a special kind of enjoyment. Immersed in history and culture of winemaking in Crimea, you will be able to fully appreciate the work of generations, the results of preserving traditions while improving the production of unique varieties of wine.
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The history of winemaking in the Crimea began more than two thousand years ago. The traditions of Greek, Genoese winemakers were brought to the territory of the peninsula along with overseas grape seedlings. The development of winemaking was not uniform - the industry either flourished or experienced a decline, depending on historical events or fashion. During the reign of the Crimean Khanate, according to Muslim laws, the use and production of wines was punishable. Later, by the end of the 18th century, literally ten years after the Crimea became part of the Russian Empire, the state tried in every possible way to help the development of viticulture, mainly by inviting foreign experts. According to P.S. Pallas, the main reasons that hindered the development of local production were the dominance of foreign wines at a cheaper price and the negligence of workers. In the XIX century, the industry was also under the close attention of the state, they tried to stimulate it with subsidies, preferential distribution of land for vineyards and increased duties on foreign wines, as well as restricting their import. In this century, the main scourge of the industry was floods and the Crimean War, the actions of which unfolded, including on the territory of Kacha and Alma. In the 20th century, significant damage was caused not by the Second World War, as many might think, but by the 1985 decree "On the fight against drunkenness and alcoholism." History has put everything in its place, and already 30 years after the merciless felling of vineyards in Crimea, productions with big names continue to operate successfully, and new private wineries are developing.
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Winery Massandra is the largest enterprise on the peninsula. Specializes in the production of dessert and fortified wines. This winery and its products are mentioned in both history books and poetry, but it is still clearest to speak in numbers. The head basement was laid in 1984. The association includes 8 vineyards, the total area of vineyards is 3870 hectares. 65 wine brands were produced by the plant in 2015, and there are plans to add 17 more brands. Approximately 10 million bottles are bottled per year. A unique collection of wines from 800,000 bottles, 4 of which are from 1775, is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. In 1990, a bottle of Sherry de la Frontera of this vintage was sold for $50,000 at Sotheby's auction. A visit to the cellars of the main plant is an exciting journey for both beginners and connoisseurs, a short course in the history of winemaking should definitely be continued with a tasting. It starts with dry wines, but Massandra has never been particularly successful with them, the real success of the winery has always been in the production of dessert wines. One trouble - the winery is chasing fashion and is trying to expand the selection of drinkable table wines in the fight for the mass consumer. At the same time, their dessert wines have been symbols of romance and spa adventure for generations. After all, it is impossible to visit the Crimea and not taste Muscat of the Red Stone - the king of dessert wines, about which legends are not in vain.
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The largest manufacturer in the Sevastopol region, founded in 1961. Dry and table wines are their forte. There are currently more than 30 brands of wine in the assortment, including young wines, classics, as well as sparkling and dessert wines. The secondary winemaking plant was built on the basis of underground workings of a quarry in the suburbs of Sevastopol - Inkerman. The underground area of the Inkerman wine cellars, where up to 15 million liters of wine are aged at the same time, is about 55,000 square meters. Currently, regular tours with tastings are organized at the plant. For those interested in classical winemaking, tours to the primary winery are also possible. It's an amazing feeling to get to know the experts whose work goes into every bottle of wine. The supply of wine material is carried out from 20 wineries of the Crimea. The winery has recently released a separate SEVRE line for lovers of the Sevastopol region.
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The name of the winery is not accidental, it is due to climate - after all, here, in the Kapselskaya and Kozskaya valleys near Sudak, there are up to 300 sunny days a year. What kind of wine will be born in such a region rich in sunny days? Naturally sugar-rich berry. Native grape varieties that have been growing here for tens of centuries thrive on rocky soil in a place where there is little rainfall. Sabbat, Kefesia, Ekim Kara, Jevat Kara, Soldaya, Kokur white. These names are not as widely known as Cabernet and Aligote, but one of the pillars of Russian winemaking, Lev Golitsyn, experimented with this grape with might and main, adhering to his main motto: "Wine is a product of the area." The basements laid by Golitsyn in 1888 are called Arkhaderesse, which translates as "old ravine". These wine cellars were built during the financial exhaustion of Golitsyn for Prince Gorchakov, the son of the last chancellor of Russia. Golitsyn easily saved money by using the local terrain to widen and deepen the ravines over which the upper floors were built. At that time, wines with Gorchakov's labels had even more medals and regalia than the wines of Golitsyn himself. Later, due to a quarrel that occurred between the owner Gorchakov and the manager Golitsyn, again for financial reasons, Golitsyn was removed from management, but wide plantings of vineyards remained, thereby determining the future fate of the valley. Legendary fame has earned Sun Valley because of the popular Soviet time wines "Black Doctor" and "Black Colonel". It is still not clear whether the legend is that during the dry law the entire population of Ekim Kara, the grapes from which these dessert brands were created, was destroyed. But agronomists and winemakers in Sunny Valley claim that the grapes survived all the difficulties, and now they continue to produce wines using these varieties.
S. Mindalnoe, Crimea
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A company with a 20-year history, named after the childhood memories of the co-founders of childhood in a pioneer camp in the area near Alushta. The company's vineyards are located in the Balaklava region, in the Kachi region, and in the Bakhchisarai region, in the village of Dolinnoye, production has been established. A basic line of table drinkable wines under the Satera brand is presented, created from purchased wine material: Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet and Chardonnay varietal, as well as blended wines: dry and semi-sweet red (Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) and dry and semi-sweet white (Rkatsiteli and Aligote) . Also since 2013, own vineyards have been fruiting, which have gained popularity for the Esse brand, in which Chardonnay, Cabernet, Riesling, Muscat and Rosé are especially recommended. A novelty of 2015 was a collection of aged wines in the premium segment from new vineyards in the Kachinskaya Valley, under the same name Kacha Valley, now these are blends of Malbec and Petit Verdot.
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Oleg Repin, an oenologist at the Satera winery, is now also promoting his own brand. Producing about 2,000 bottles a year and planting 2 hectares of vineyards in the Belbek Valley, he has already gained his army of admirers. The first vintages of 2012-2013, created from wine material purchased from the state farms of Sudak, are almost impossible to find. His wines are personal works aged in Carpathian oak. The wines of Oleg Repin can be tasted and bought at the Ostrov restaurant in Sevastopol, in wine boutique in Evpatoria and in the Wine and Cheese store on the road between Yalta and Alushta. And you can also come to visit the winemaker for a tasting in different formats.
Crimea, Belbek valley
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The only distillery in the Crimea, fully adhering to the principles of biodynamic winemaking. Arriving here, you need to forget everything that you previously knew about wine and grapes and listen, watch, understand everything anew. In the Bakhchisarai region, in the village of Rodnoe, there are vineyards of Pavel Shvets. The winner of the First Russian Sommelier Competition, born in Sevastopol, here he embodies his dream. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Chardonnay, as well as Barbera, which is exotic for our country, grow on 10 hectares of picturesque vineyards. The first seedlings purchased from a well-known Burgundy nursery were planted in 2007. A young team works here, strictly following the ideology of Pavel Shvets: no pesticides and fertilizers, except for organic ones, a minimum of sulfur to stabilize the wine. Naturally, all the wines produced here are small-circulation, and therefore their cost is appropriate. Uppa, the name of the distillery is the Tatar name of the village Rodnoe. The vineyards are not so easy to reach, the rural mountain road shows that the creators did not seek to make this place a tourist center, however, lovers and wine experts overcome the path for many years without complaint to enjoy fine wines, the quality of which is due, not least, to the unique terroir of the Chernaya River.
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This modern winery is located in the village of Ai-Danil, near Yalta. Winemakers with extensive experience and knowledge of the local terroir work here. The vineyard was rented in 2005 from the Massandra winery, the Gurzuf enterprise, but you should not think about competition, because the mission of this Chateau is to create excellent dry wines. Based on old photographs, the basement and the buildings of the winery were restored. Thanks to modern technologies completely stopped the landslide, which practically destroyed the Vorontsov cellars at the beginning of the 20th century. The first harvests were processed already in 2009, since then the assortment of the distillery has been reduced to a polished 9 items. It is rather difficult to produce dry wines in the Southern Crimea, but winemakers cope with this challenge, which is thrown by unstable weather conditions, and win. The names of the wines are taken from the Italian language. To get an impression of the wines from Ai-Danil, you need to try, first of all, the pink semi-sweet Rosso da Sole from muscat and the red dry Tramonto, which means “evening dawn”.
http://bestruswines.ru/our_company/our_company.php
Read completely CollapseTenistaya, 20, Crimea, Yalta, town. Gurzuf, v. Danilovka
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The winery is located in the village of Vilino, north of Sevastopol. The line of their wines is divided into five categories: basic, seasonal or special cuvee, varietal, reserve and Ice Wine. The vineyards were planted in 2008, the winery was fully commissioned with new equipment in 2013. And despite such youth, Alma has already acquired her admirers. The winery reached a capacity of up to 3 million bottles per year. Separately, it is necessary to note the Shiraz and Tempranillo produced by the plant, which stand out among the typical European and native grape varieties cultivated everywhere in the Crimea. In parallel with the Magnit chain, a budget brand was launched, bearing the same name as the village where the vineyards are located. Fans of wine tourism are always welcome here, but you need to sign up in advance and organize an individual tour and tasting, because the schedule of group tastings has not yet been formed on an ongoing basis.
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It is not for nothing that the valley in the Balaklava region bears the name of Zolotaya Balka - after all, very valuable soil lies here for winemakers who create sparkling wines. 1400 hectares of vineyards located here belong to the enterprise "Zolotaya Balka", which produces sparkling wines from wine material from its own vineyards. The uniqueness of the chernozem soil with a high content of lime determines the lightness, minerality and acidity of the final product. The main variety is aligote. The first cellar on the territory of Balaklava was founded in 1889 by Major General Alexander Witmer, the first local wine won the Grand Prix in 1900 at a blind tasting in Paris. The brand "Soviet Champagne" appeared thanks to the efforts of Anastas Mikoyan, who convinced Stalin of the need to establish mass production, a special method was developed at the Magarach Institute using the accelerated technology for creating sparkling wines - acrotophoric, which means that champagne wine occurs in hermetically sealed tanks, not bottles . The Zolotaya Balka winery produces about 4.5 million bottles of wine per year, and winemakers claim that the biochemical processes of champagne do not depend on the fermentation method, and this method is even better suited for Muscat varieties. A premium line has been launched, which is distinguished by a black label.
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More than once mentioned above, Lev Sergeevich Golitsyn wanted to make wine in the Crimea according to French technology. Having bought an estate in a beautiful corner of the Crimea in 1878 and laid adits for aging, Lev Sergeevich discovered that the grapes grown on his land were not suitable for champagne. However, cellars had already been built by that time, and equipment had been purchased. They began to transport wine material from Sevastopol by sea. Such a project was economically unprofitable and therefore did not bring profit to Golitsyn for some time. Nevertheless, the enthusiasm of the talented winemaker did not dry out, and by 1896 his champagne was already so popular that it was even served during the coronation of Nicholas II. And during one of the dinners, Count Chandon even confused it with his Moet & Chandon champagne, although this may be another local wine-making legend. In the New World, wine is still produced according to traditional French technology, with aging in the bottle. This is a very complex and lengthy process: first, the wine lies horizontally, sealed with a plastic stopper with an iron clamp. Wine spends in this way in the cellar built by Golitsyn himself in the Koba-Kaya rock for at least 3 years, during which time, in order to avoid sediment sticking, the wine is shifted at least 4 times, naturally, doing it manually. After the end of the aging period, the bottles are sent on trolleys to the remuage specialists. Remuage is a technological operation, the meaning of which is to reduce the sediment on the cork. For this, wines are also manually placed on special stands, gently tapping on the shoulders of the bottle and changing position, this painstaking process takes up to two months. The next process is no less important and scrupulous - disgorging, removing the cork along with the sediment. Even in French factories, machines are now doing this, in the New World, women degorgers still carry out most of the operations. Compliance with technology is the honor of Novy Svet winemakers. Currently, the Novy Svet line includes more than 10 cuvees, and even one variety, which is as close as possible in composition to the same Coronation. The winery produces about 1,600,000 bottles a year, developing wine tourism.
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Crimean wines are worthy of the attention of a sophisticated connoisseur noble drinks. The wineries of the peninsula produce dry and semi-dry, semi-sweet and sweet wines that have received worldwide recognition. The range of local producers includes fine liqueurs and sparkling wines. Drinks are always rich and rich taste, complex aroma and delicious aftertaste. Products from the Crimea are supplied to dozens of countries around the world, and the legendary Massandra plant is a supplier to the court of the Queen of England. The range of products is so wide that it is impossible to stay without a purchase. The temptation to buy Crimean wines for your collection is enhanced by affordable prices for the main part of the products.
Region Features
The terroir of the Crimean peninsula is compared with Bordeaux, but wines were produced here long before the French. This is one of the most ancient wine-growing regions of the planet. Wine was created by the Greeks in ancient Kherson, Genoese colonists in Sudak and Feodosia. This region was chosen by the famous Prince Golitsyn when he was looking for a place for a sparkling wine factory. Today, dozens of enterprises operate in Crimea, brands such as Massandra, Novy Svet, Inkerman, Koktebel have achieved worldwide recognition. Twice Crimean wines were recognized as the best in the world.
Crimean wines are produced from autochthonous and noble grape varieties. Ekim-kara, kefesia, dzhevat-kara, bastardo Magarachsky are cultivated - these names are read like spells from oriental tales. Feel great in the climatic conditions of the peninsula Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Franc, Merlot, Riesling, Muscat, Chardonnay, Syrah. In the assortment of the famous producers of the Crimea, you can find single-varietal and blended drinks for any feast. Many varieties are aged in barrels for 2 to 4 years and become worthy of the best collections.
Crimean wines in the WineStyle network
WineStyle presents the products of well-known and new wineries of the peninsula. The price of Crimean wine starts from 166 rubles per bottle of 0.75 liters. Premium wines have an attractive price, which allows you to get acquainted with the legendary brands that have received dozens of awards at the most prestigious professional competitions on the planet.
If you are going to Crimea or want to find real Crimean wine on the shelves of Russian stores, read these detailed and understandable tips from a wine expert. For me, this material revealed a lot of unknown, although I live in the Crimea.
Guide to Crimean wines: what to buy, how to choose, where to taste
The wines of the Crimean peninsula are not only a local specialty, but also a legend, inextricably linked with the history of the region. Understanding the choice of wines can be difficult even for a resident of the peninsula. All the more difficult choice for tourists.
About what you can drink and what is not recommended, where and how to choose the main Crimean souvenir, told wine expert, director of the scientific and methodological center "Wine Laboratory" of the Sevastopol branch of Moscow State University Dmitry Kovalev.
Wine Globe of Crimea
Sometimes it is enough for tourists to see that the drink is produced in the Crimea in a shop and a restaurant, and they are already in a hurry to make a choice. But that's not enough reason to buy. It should, as in a good foreign movie, clarify what grapes it is made from and where exactly it is grown.
Understanding the intricacies of Crimean winemaking is not at all difficult. In fact, each wine-growing region of Crimea has its own wine specialization. If you like dessert and fortified wines, then you should pay attention to products from the South Coast. Legendary Crimean muscats are grown here, from which wines with a specific taste and delicate aroma are produced. "Many Muscat grape varieties are grown in Italy, Southern France, Spain, Portugal. But the Crimean Muscat is a special feature. This grape has the aroma of a tea rose, it is sometimes brighter in aromatics than Italian. The hot climate and shale soils of the South Coast are very similar on the soils of Porto, the Douro River Valley in Portugal - the birthplace of port wine. Therefore, fortified and sweet wines, including Madeira, sherry, port wines, are one of the symbols of Big Yalta," Kovalev noted.
In turn, the East of Crimea is known for its dry and sparkling wines. In particular, producers of the eastern region (Sudak, Koktebel, Solnechnaya Dolina) have been working for many years to produce good dry wines from autochthonous grape varieties such as Kokur, Kefesia and others. "In Crimean dry wine, these varieties are often blended or separately. This is written on the label. This wine will be a very good souvenir. A tourist who has been here will bring not just Crimean wine, but wine from a local grape variety," Kovalev is convinced.
Wines from the New World are widely known. But grapes for sparkling do not grow there - it's too hot. Therefore, since the time of Lev Golitsyn, it has been taken from the "Crimean Champagne" - the outskirts of Sevastopol. The main thing that the region has in common with Champagne is white calcareous soils. Only in our area it is much hotter: Reims lies at the latitude of Belgorod and Kyiv, and the Crimea is Provence, the latitude of Marseille. Hence the wine is much richer.
The western wine region of Crimea, primarily Sevastopol, is known for its sparkling wines. They are produced by the reservoir method, when the secondary fermentation of wine takes place in special closed containers. This is a cheaper way to produce sparkling wine, allowing you to achieve a good level of quality at an affordable price. "Sparkling wines produced in Sevastopol are bright and fragrant. Muscat is often used in their production, which adds special notes of taste to them: aromas of peach, figs, acacia," the wine expert emphasizes.
But Western Crimea and Sevastopol are famous not only for "wine with bubbles". The village of Rodnoye in the Balaklava region is the "Crimean Burgundy", Pinot noir, Chardonnay and other varieties, for example, from Piedmont, are interesting here. "But our Bordeaux is the North side of Sevastopol, the Belbek valley with gravel soils, dry winds. It is even more like the coast of Tuscany, Maremma. Koktebel is similar to Spain, Andalusia. So far, both dry and fortified wines, and a little sparkling. Experiments with Spanish varieties may bear fruit, especially since Portuguese varieties grow here - from Madeira. So far, the Spaniard Tempranillo has registered in the West, in Vilino and Peschanoy. In Western Crimean and Sevastopol dry red wines, there is high acidity. This is the general balance that the French call "elegance". There is no such thing in the wines of the Kuban. This Crimean wine can surprise foreign guests, as they will feel the closeness of these wines with the same wines of Bordeaux," explains Kovalev.
As for the wines produced in the northern, steppe regions of the peninsula, the expert urges to treat them with caution. Viticulture in the steppe regions is entirely a Soviet project. It became possible only with the construction of the Crimean Canal with Dnieper water, the breeding of winter-hardy hybrid varieties. There are very few vineyards today. The majority is still located in the seaside 20-kilometer strip, where the vines do not need to be covered for the winter. And in those years, most of the steppe vineyards were cultivated for cognac production. So no wines from Dzhankoy - and with Simferopol you need to keep an eye out!" - Dmitry Kovalev believes.
To quickly navigate the variety of varieties, you need to learn the simple wine geography of Crimea: Cabernet Sauvignon "lives" in the Bakhchisarai region and on the northern side of Sevastopol, although there is a little in Koktebel and Sudak, Sauvignon blanc - in Sevastopol and Sudak, Chardonnay - in the Bakhchisarai region, Sevastopol and Balaklava, in Koktebel, bastardo Magarachsky - in the South Coast, in the Bakhchisarai region. Rkatsiteli, saperavi - these are mainly varieties of Sevastopol and the Bakhchisarai region. Saperavi is found in plantings on the South Coast for fortified wines. Pinot noir - Sevastopol, Balaklava district and the North side, as well as Bakhchisarai district, Koktebel. Kokur, kefessia, sary pandas and other autochthonous peoples are mainly the vicinity of Sudak.
The most Crimean
Now let's figure out how to recognize truly Crimean wines, that is, made from local grapes, without using imported wine materials. The most Crimean wines are autochthonous. AT last years the term "autochthon" has become very fashionable, but not everyone understands what it means on the label. In its meaning, the word is close to "aboriginal". That is, we are talking about grape varieties that were bred and grow in a specific area, which means that they especially successfully absorb all the best that this particular land can give. The most widespread autochthons of Crimea are, first of all, kokur and kefessia. They date back at least to Byzantine, Genoese times, their very names are Greek.
The name of the Sabbath variety is very interesting - it is Crimean Tatar, this variety was used to finish the harvest. Traditionally, he went to Madeira Koktebel. "There are many autochthonous varieties in the collection of the Magarach Research Institute, but there are no more than five in production today. There are enthusiasts of their revival. Do not look for familiar European tones in the aroma and taste of Crimean autochthonous varieties - all these fresh fruits, berries. Compare them with the varieties of Georgia, Hungary, Don, Armenia. This is the aroma of dry herbs, dried fruits for whites, and for reds - dogwood, mulberry and similar southern berries. By the way, in the Crimea there is also one "semi-autochthonous" variety. In the USSR, the Portuguese bastardo, also known as the French trousso, was crossed with saperavi. It turned out ripe and juicy bastardo Magarachsky - one of the symbols of the Crimea. Perhaps, in order to give it weight and proximity to the great Bordeaux, the Crimeans mistakenly call it bastardO, with an emphasis on the last syllable,” says the expert.
As for the wines that are widely sold in the mass market, it is difficult for a non-professional to determine whether the winemaker uses imported raw materials, or honestly produces a drink from exclusively Crimean grapes. And the high price does not always act as a guarantor of "purity". At the same time, word of mouth is multiplying stories about how, in pursuit of profit, producers add "powder" to wine, as well as cheap wine materials from other countries.
"We are looking forward to the completion of the reform, according to which all producers working with Crimean grapes will receive licenses and special excise stamps for protected geographical indication wines - PGI. For now, the consumer is forced to believe the producer. Yes, yes, this is something like a" merchant words" in pre-revolutionary Russia. And the current state of affairs teaches us to know the basics of arithmetic. So, knowing exactly the number of hectares a producer has and the number of grape bushes per hectare, one can easily calculate how many bottles he actually produced. After all, even for super-productive vineyards of countries New World, three bottles from a bush is a sensational yield,” Dmitry Kovalev shares his secrets.
At the same time, there are wines that, for economic reasons, can be produced without violating technology, using imported materials. For example, you can trust Pinot Noir from the Balaklava region - the cultivation areas of this particular variety are expanding there, which means that there is no point in supplements. The same wine is highly regarded by sommeliers for its southern berry aroma - more "fat" than in Burgundy and Germany. "Another Crimean horse is Riesling. Even Lev Golitsyn praised the very density, bright aromatics of the Black Sea Riesling. By the way, there is a theory according to which this variety reveals its signature notes precisely on the sunny, dry slopes of Alsace or the Rhine Valley. In cool Germany, such places you will find high-quality Riesling, first of all, in the west of the Crimea in the Bakhchisarai region and in Sevastopol.This variety also excels in premium sparkling wines made from Sevastopol grapes near Sudak. a certain "trick" of Russian sparkling wines, which Lev Golitsyn borrowed in the same Alsace. And last year, 100% sparkling Riesling by the classic champagne method was recognized by many as the best sparkling in Russia, "the expert shares.
Another hit of Crimea is sauvignon blanc. In our area, it turns out to be heavier, more alcoholic than in the Loire Valley or New Zealand, but in recent years, very pure sauvignons have been made in Sudak, in the Bakhchisarai region and in Sevastopol. In Sevastopol, the old vineyards of the Saperavi and Rkatsiteli varieties have also been preserved - this is a Soviet wine classic that can also be trusted. Connoisseurs of wine with a history can also be advised to bring a couple of bottles of sherry and Cahors from Crimea. "Once Peter the Great brought wine for the needs of the church. After 150 years, they began to make it here too. Russian winemakers have retained the style of 16-degree Cahors, which is called Rogomme in its homeland, in the French city of Cahors. It is almost never found there. Therefore for Western experts, Cahors is a fortified national Russian wine. The same applies to the "old-fashioned" sherry from the Pedro Chimeres variety, and the presence of Tokay and Don Cossack varieties on the Southern Coast of Crimea. Many styles and varieties of Europe of the 19th century have been preserved here,” says Kovalev.
In recent years, habitually European varieties have also become quite Crimean. For example, you can safely trust Traminer or Gewurztraminer. Several farms have successfully "settled" an old Austrian variety on the peninsula and produce fragrant, bright wine from local raw materials. "Mediterranean Provence is just like the Crimea. Climate, nature, attitude, if you like. And there wine is made from varieties such as Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, almost unknown in our dry wines. Although Mourvèdre was widely used in Golitsyn's time. And today we are seeing how syrah and malbec from the Bakhchisarai region are actively entering the shelves, rosé from the syrah variety has also appeared - and this is already a purely Provencal style, most of the wines there are rosé! he is in the last roles, we have purebreds from the village of Dolinnoye and Sudak. And in the Saki district you will find, for example, a rare hybrid of arinernoa, Italian barbera, "says the expert.
Attention - on the label
How to choose the "right" Crimean wine? First of all, experts do not advise buying the so-called " Home wine"questionable production and spills in local markets. Do not the best option also - the purchase of wine in supermarkets. Here, in the vast majority of cases, storage conditions are violated. Wine must be in a horizontal position at a temperature of plus 12-14 degrees, humidity about 85%. Such conditions are provided, basically, only in specialized stores. A proven sign of quality wine, according to Dmitry Kovalev, is the inscription on the labels "wine with a protected geographical indication - PGI". So far, not all winemakers have received licenses for such wines, but starting from the 2017 harvest, we should expect their mass production. "Such an inscription confirms that the wine is made from Crimean grapes, with a full production cycle. The producer is monitored by the state in the person of Rosalkogolregulirovanie and other services, as well as the association of winegrowers and winemakers. This principle of mutual responsibility operates not only in our country, but also in Europe," the expert notes.
Experts also highlight a number of other factors that you should pay attention to when choosing. So, experts advise to carefully study the label, which should indicate the year of grape harvest, the name and proportions of the varieties from which the wine is produced, as well as in large print - the full name and address of the manufacturing plant. If there is no clear information on any of the above items on the label, it is highly likely that you have a fake. The information about the producer and the name of the wine indicated on the excise stamp must match. You should also make sure that the cork sits in the neck of the bottle at the level of its walls. A protruding or sagging cork indicates that not everything is in order with the wine.
"And also beware of flashy labels, especially those that repeatedly bow the word "Crimea" and the names of popular local resorts. Alas, these wines are often made for careless tourists. Every year new lines appear, where, at best, there will be at least Chilean or Spanish wine material. It's like in Chianti, where there is an unspoken rule that wine in braided fiasco bottles is cheap booze for tourists. It's like vodka in matryoshka bottles, like "Armenian cognac" in dagger bottles," Kovalev assures. And, of course, an important factor is the cost of the product. According to experts, the price of good Crimean wine starts on average from 500-600 rubles per bottle in mainland Russia, and from 250 rubles in Crimea.
Crimean wine has become not just a synonym for high quality. In fact, the result of observing the centuries-old traditions of winemaking and products coming from the peninsula have become a kind of "special caste" - elite alcohol. Even the most affordable products, for example, from Massandra vineyards, already have a guarantee of quality.
The “Made in Crimea” mark can be called the key to the successful sale of alcohol, since the peninsula seemed to have been created for the ripening of grapes and the creation of distilleries. The caressing sun, mild climate and the proximity of black soil to dry air saturated with Black Sea salt allow growing almost any variety from tart Merlot to sweetish Cabernet. Crimean wine is very popular and competes equally with the wines of France.
"Vinland" at the Black Sea
Nobody knows exactly how ancient history at the art of winemaking of the Crimea. It is known that in one way or another the science of distillate synthesis was applied by the population of the peninsula during the last 2 thousand years. For the period of the capture of the Crimea by the Ottoman Empire with the subsequent prohibition of alcohol on religious grounds, the wine of the Crimea fell under the ban. However, already under the Russian Empire, its production acquired an unprecedented scope. So, for example, Prince Potemkin, who made a very significant contribution to the development of the southern provinces and the peninsula, ordered that more than 2/3 of the foothill territories be planted with vineyards. It is they who will become the basis of distilleries, and later industrial plants, including the world-famous Massandra.
Extracts from the history of the art of winemaking
The true history of the formation of winemaking on the territory of the Crimea is a topic worthy, if not of scientific research, then of extensive research work. It is worth noting a few milestones in the development of this art. So, for example, during the Second World War, the option of transporting wineries deep into the USSR along with industrial capacities was seriously considered. However, the idea was abandoned as unprofitable.
However, relatively modest damage was inflicted on the vineyards both during the offensive of the German armies and during the counterattack of Soviet soldiers. The “dry law” of 1985 hit the Crimean wine industry much harder. At this time, the very existence of factories was threatened.
Now winemaking in the Crimea remains one of the key sectors of the economy. Albeit with a limited market. A real scandal was caused by the arrest of Massandra wines of Crimea at an exhibition in Verona at the request of the Ukrainian side. The incident took place in April 2017.
Winery "Massandra"
This production can safely be called calling card peninsulas in the world of elite wines. The first distillery was founded in the village of the same name in 1894. In 1998, the company's wine collection was recognized as the largest in the world and listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
Despite the fact that the main source of income for the plant is the export of alcohol with potential, the company is also engaged in the cultivation of tobacco and fruits. In 2009, the company's production volume for the financial year amounted to about 10 million bottles of more than 60 brands. Most of them fall into the category of high value fortified and aged wines. However, the company also supplies more affordable alcohol to the market.
"Bastard" of French winemaking
The names of Crimean wines are largely dictated by the territory where the grapes were grown, followed by distillation and aging. But there is an exception. However, this does not apply to the two most famous Crimean wines from the Massandra brand - Sherry and Bastardo. The first wine is a strong spirit with a blend of Albillo, Verdelho and Sersial varieties, which occupy less than 0.5% of the vineyards.
Alcohol has been supplied since 1944 and is considered one of the leaders in the segment of white table drinks. But "Bastardo" took a different position, namely a sweetish dessert wine. The drink has been produced since 2003, but has already earned immense popularity in the market. A distinctive feature is the notes of prunes and chocolate, as well as the extremely high sweetness of the drink (the sugar level in the berries is more than 24%, which is typical for liquors). The Massandra winery in Crimea, as of 2017, occupies the position of the largest on the territory of the peninsula.
Such a beautiful "Koktebel"
"Koktebel" is the second well-known factory of vintage wines and cognacs in the Crimea. He is even somewhat older than Massandra. The first distillery appeared on the territory of Koktebel in 1879. A distinctive feature of the plant is its specialization in very aged VIP alcohol. The age of some Koktebel cognacs reaches 20 years, while raw materials are supplied exclusively from the company's own vineyards.
Until 2012, branded stores of Crimean wines from the Koktebel brand were opened even abroad. Since most of the products were exported. Crimean wines from this plant have been awarded in more than 170 nominations, including international sommelier exhibitions of the highest qualification.
Alcohol worthy of ancient masters
The lion's share of wines from the Koktebel brand provides for a blend, which includes local varieties or "immigrants" from neighboring countries. We are talking about Rkatsiteli and Saperavi. It should be noted that the first variety is widely used by other winemakers, including those in the north of Crimea. But Saperavi and the strong wine obtained from it occupies only 1%, and therefore is quite rare. The production also supplies the eminent white wine of the Chardonnay blend.
However, Koktebel itself is excellent for growing technical grape varieties, from which cognac spirits are obtained. In addition to vintage three-star cognac, Koktebel also supplies OS (XO), the exposure of which reaches 20 years. Reviews of Crimean wines are almost always positive when it comes to a genuine drink. Productions such as Koktebel have their own quality mark on the packaging. They ask customers to carefully monitor the authenticity of the product.
Other factories with a big name
Winemaking is extremely common on the peninsula. However, only a few of the largest enterprises should be noted, the supply of products of which has crossed the mark of hundreds of thousands of bottles in one cycle. The Inkerman plant, which is part of Inkerman International, is worth mentioning. Initially, the distillery processed only Rkatsiteli and Cabernet, after which workshops for strong drinks and dessert alcohol appeared. The famous rosé wine "Heraclea", which is actually the leader of its small segment, was first created here. "Crimean Aligote", vintage wine, is also produced under this brand.
The Novy Svet plant, which specializes in sparkling drinks, also deserves a mark. The company produces exclusively champagne. It has managed to change its profile several times over the centuries. In 1878, Grand Duke Golitsyn laid the foundation for the enterprise. Despite the fact that the estate was plundered between 1918 and 1920, the plant retained some production facilities and was later reconstructed. As of 2017, the brand produces about 16 types of sparkling wines, including vintages awarded with international awards.
Blending varieties and the history of the formation of vineyards
The territory of the Crimean peninsula is the best suited for growing grapes on an industrial scale. Traditionally, local enterprises rely primarily on raw materials directly from the Crimea. The lion's share of sweet and semi-sweet varieties is concentrated in the south of the peninsula, while strong, white counterparts are grown in the center and foothill areas.
The composition of the soil is excellent for the rapid ripening of grapes, and the mild climate with dry air contributes to the natural protection of fruits from pests and various diseases. Crimean wines (red wine) are made from Merlot, which is also located on the territory of the plains. But the eminent Chardonnay feels impressively in the north.
The most common grape varieties
The eminent "Georgian" Rkatsiteli to this day remains the basis of the Crimean vineyards. This variety occupies more than 43% of the territory. Productivity on the peninsula is estimated as high. Despite the average ripening period, the ecosystem contributes to an increase in sucrose and glucose in fruits, which allows the use of Rkatsiteli at an earlier stage of ripening. Serves as the basis for a blend of dessert, table, strong, vintage dry wines.
Combines with Cabernet in Crimean wines, emphasizing the large-scale bouquet of the latter. Rkatsiteli is competing with Aligote. Serves as the basis for blends for vintage white wines "Massandra" and "Koktebel". Quite capricious, but still took root in 14% of the vineyards of the peninsula.
Sauvignon and Cabernet occupy an average of 5% and are also included in the blend of vintage drinks. But the eminent Merlot is used by only a few enterprises. A little more than 2% of the territory fell to its share.
Red Saperavi has found distribution under the Massandra brand. It can often be found in the vineyards of the trademark. It is noteworthy that on the territory of Crimea there are many varieties of "home-grown" grapes or so-called bastards from the main blend, characteristic of the French appellation. They occupy over 10% of the territory and, one way or another, are involved in the production of most branded drinks. In addition, in the Crimea it is very common home winemaking Therefore, to one degree or another, each farm has its own vineyards.
Their names should be known
A number of the most famous wines of the Crimea are named after the varieties that served as the basis for the drink. So, for example, among the famous white varieties and alcohol made from them are: Chardonnay, Aligote, Rkatsiteli and Sauvignon.
Connoisseurs also note the taste of Kokura and Riesling. Crimean wines (red wines) are also rich in various types of Cabernet, Saperavi and Merlot. Among the desserts, it is worth highlighting "Sunny Valley", "Bastardo" and "Carnelian of Taurida".
Among the sparkling wines, the most popular are Sevastopol wines, which, even during the existence of the USSR, were served at the table of the party elite. Among the newcomers with potential, it is worth highlighting Agora, a wine of the Crimea, the blend of which is based on the same Saperavi.
Taste palette and external characteristics
The taste palette of Crimean wine, according to reviews, is incredibly extensive in terms of accents and aftertaste. Each connoisseur will be able to choose his own drink: delicate or tart, bitter or sickly sweet. Each variety has its own characteristics. Speaking in general, the southern vineyards are characterized by spicy bitterness with a bright caramel aftertaste. For example, Aligote, a white variety, has such an accent - floral taste and caramel. But Rkatsiteli is more temperamental, with a strong, pronounced varietal accent in taste. There is a pattern here. The further north the vineyards are, the stronger the sourness is expressed in them and the emphasis is on the taste of the fruit.
White varieties differ in color palette from pale yellow to straw and even golden honey. Dark ruby "Chardonnay", in turn, distinguishes the fortress and a full bouquet with an emphasis on fruity notes. The same is typical for "Saperavi", in the properties of which it is closely related to the pomegranate drink, including the characteristic sweetness in the aftertaste.
Crimean wines are extremely diverse in terms of taste palette and have their own character. Drinks made from varieties that were bred by selection have incorporated an extensive floral bouquet, characteristic of the foothills and some of the southern territories of the peninsula. Not all red varieties acquire a characteristic morocco shade. Therefore, you should choose carefully.
Geopolitics and the current state of enterprises
The administration of the peninsula declares that the geopolitical situation on the territory of the peninsula should not affect the position of enterprises for the production of alcohol and fine wines. The incident with the arrest of an entire batch of products in April 2017 is a clear demonstration of a kind of embargo on the supply of wines from Crimea.
Nevertheless, the factories continue to function, and the management often declares its own removal from political squabbles and the desire to engage exclusively in the art of winemaking. After all, the peninsula has been supplying wine in large quantities for several centuries, and the current situation in the industry threatens to reduce employment and development rates.
Crimean wines are a bright representative of the category of products that has long outgrown a certain attachment to an enterprise or brand. The geolocation of alcohol has become a calling card and a guarantee of its quality. Many sommeliers recognize the status of vintage Crimean wines, which in itself is a recognition of the quality of products from the peninsula.
It remains to be hoped that the current situation with the supply of alcohol from the Crimea will be resolved in favor of one "player" - the very sphere of winemaking, which has become traditional for residents. Otherwise, the world is in danger of losing the best wines Crimea with its own character and bright personality.