Russian wines: review, rating, features

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Although wine is not a hallmark of Russia, winemaking in our country is well developed. In 2007, for example, about 7280 thousand hectoliters of alcoholic products related to this area were produced. And thanks to this, Russia took 11th place in the world among the states producing wine. How are we doing with production? What Russian wines are really good? This and many other things will be discussed now.

Abrau-Durso: a bit of history

This is the name of a village in the south of Russia, in which a large wine house of the same name is located and a large-scale production of drinks belonging to this category is organized.

They have been made there since 1870. At first, still wines were produced, and then sparkling wines were added to the list. Local champagne was the favorite drink of Russian aristocrats.

Today, the Abrau-Durso winery is the most visited in Europe. Every year about 200,000 tourists come there.

Wines and their characteristics

The following drinks are produced in Abrau-Durso:

• "Millesima". High quality wines made fromthe best must (cuvee) and grape juice of the first extraction of the most successful harvest. So-called "millesim" years occur about once every five years.
• "Imperial". This is a collectible Russian wine, similar to the French Grand Cru. It is made from grapes that are harvested from the best sites. The highest quality of this wine is confirmed by gold and silver medals awarded at international tasting competitions - Decanter, Mundus Vini, IWC, IWSC.
• Brut d`Or Blanc de Blancs. Premium sparkling Russian wine made from selected white grapes. It has a very elegant and subtle taste that all Chardonnay lovers adore.
• Victor Dravigny. This is the only personalized collection from this manufacturer. Named after the famous French winemaker, who in 1905 was the chief champagne in Abrau-Dyurso. It was he who brought the classic sparkling wine production technology to perfection.
• "Special department". Yes, this is also the name of sparkling wine. The same drink was served at a gala dinner held in honor of the tercentenary of the Romanov dynasty in 1914. Modern technologists have restored the historical recipe and appearance of those bottles.
• Russian Champagne. This is the name of the most popular collection of the Abrau-Durso wine house. Many are familiar with these dark green bottles with a black diamond-shaped label. Excellent taste and balanced aroma made the drink incredibly popular.
• Abrau Light. A new line of carbonated wine drinks. It was created in 2014. Thanks to the rich brighthue, floral aroma and fruity notes, these drinks are loved by many.
• Wine "Abrau". This line consists of five dry table wines of the highest quality - blend (dark and light), Cabernet, Chardonnay and Riesling.
• Foliage. In 2010, the production bought a champagne house called Chateau d'Avize, so that the first French champagne appeared in the collection of lines. It is organic - with a minimum amount of sulfur, using double fermentation technology, made from grapes grown in special areas and taking into account the lunar calendar.

Since Abrau-Durso is one of the main wine producers in Russia, it would be possible to list drinks and their advantages for a long time. But one thing can be said with certainty: if you want high-quality and exquisite alcohol, you can safely make a choice in their favor.

Alma Valley

In the western part of the Bakhchisarai region located in the Crimea, there is the Alma Valley - a wine-growing region. About 1,000,000 bottles are processed and produced there annually.

The production is quite new - the first Russian Alma Valley wines were released in 2015. But already in 2017, the company received more than 40 awards won at competitions in London, Hong Kong, Moscow and Krasnodar.

Drinks are made according to the gravity principle. Fermentation is carried out under controlled temperature conditions. The resulting drinks have a special taste, due to a combination of soil and climatic factors. The Alma Valley line includes white and red wines, as well as interesting drinks -Winter Wine, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Spring Wine, etc.

Burnier

The winery, known by this name, is located in the Natukhaevskaya village, between Novorossiysk and Anapa. It was founded in the early 2000s by a married couple of winemakers - Marina and Renaud Burnier.

This is an ideal place to grow grapes as it has high clay soils (ideal for red varieties) and stony marl soils (great for white varieties).

Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot Gris and Blanc, Yellow Muscat, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc, Syrah, Malbec, and also Redstop grow here. The latter is an old Russian red grape variety, which is very rare. But DOMAINES BURNIER revived it again.

The collection is represented by the following Russian wines:

• Burnier Lublu. A gastronomic wine paired with black caviar, sea fish, asparagus, poultry and foie gras.
• Merlot. An exquisite drink with the aroma of cherries and roasted cocoa beans. Served with spicy cheeses, red and white meats.
• Cabernet Sauvignon. A complex wine aged 18 months. Tart, with a long aftertaste. Ideal for grilled dishes, meats and cheeses.
• Krasnostop. It has a rich aroma of ripe fruit with hints of prunes and raisins. Suitable for lamb and game.

It is important to note that drinks from this manufacturer are produced in limited quantities.

Massandra

This is the name of a smalla picturesque village located near Y alta, in the south of Crimea. FSUE "PJSC "Massandra" is located there. In the cellars of the winery is stored a collection of more than a million bottles. It is the largest in the world, and in 1998 it was listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

The producer produces very high quality Russian wine. Russian wines of this company are distinguished by an impressive variety. Here are some of the most interesting titles:

• "White Muscat Red Stone". Gourmet dessert liqueur wine.
• "The Seventh Heaven of Prince Golitsyn". Produced since 1880. This is a sweet dessert white wine.
• "Cahors South Coast". Made since 1933. Exposure - at least 3 years. This is a sweet red dessert wine.
• Red port wine "Livadia". A strong drink at least 3 years old.
• Massandra Madera. Fortified white wine aged over 5 years.
• "Old Nectar". Exposure - from 3 years. Sweet dessert white wine with a full, harmonious and mild taste.
• Massandra Sherry. Exposure from 4 years. Strong white wine. Considered the best among sherry-type drinks.
• White port "Lieutenant Golitsyn". Exposure - from 3 years. Strong white wine.
• "Pino Gris Ai-Danil". Produced since 1888. Liquor dessert white wine.

You can list for a long time. And if you study in detail the detailed description of Russian wines produced in Massandra, you will be able to understand that this production has such a range of drinks that will satisfy absolutely any request.even the most demanding alcoholic gourmet.

Raevskoe

What is interesting about this winery? The fact that it is located where Russian winemaking once began. These are the picturesque southern slopes of the hills, located in the Novorossiysk region. A special grape is grown there. Its taste and ripeness are affected by the breeze coming from the Black Sea, which provides the difference in day and night temperatures necessary for the proper ripening of the berry.

The range includes dozens of items. There are also very interesting drinks, such as the Firebird from the Russian Fairy Tales collection. This wine is 60% Chardonnay, 30% Riesling and 10% Palava. This combination of varieties provides a delicate taste with hints of black berries, spices and prunes.

Inkerman

Another famous Crimean winemaker. And Russian wines, which have been produced there since 1961, are famous throughout the country and beyond. The best production technology is used - the wine does not come into contact with oxygen at all. Starting from the moment when the grapes are processed, and ending with the spill. The drink comes into contact only with an inert gas.

If we talk about the classification of Russian wines of this manufacturer, then we need to make a reservation that they are all divided in accordance with the collections. There are currently nine of them: sparkling and young wines, the Inspiration collection, Sevre, Porto, Winemaker's Selection, Grand reserve, Classic Wine and Heritage. Among them there are dry, sweet, dessert,semi-dry, semi-sweet, strong, and also brut.

Zolotaya Balka

It is impossible not to mention this sparkling wine factory, which is one of the oldest in Russia. It is located in the area of Sevastopol, like Inkerman, but in a slightly different place - in Balaklava, in the Zolotaya Balka valley. The prevailing soil and climatic conditions make it possible to grow grapes, which are the best in Eastern Europe.

In addition to sparkling wines, the manufacturer also produces traditional ones - white, rose, red, sweet, dry, semi-sweet and semi-dry.

Rating "Vinoscope": the principle of scoring

The most famous producers of Russian wines were listed above. Rating would also be nice to mention. Still, it is important to know which drinks are considered the best, according to generally accepted opinion.

In accordance with the rating "Vinoscope", points are given to the drink. The principle is as follows:

• 80-84 points. A drink with a pronounced aroma and taste. Suitable for every day.
• 85-89 points. Complex wines with multifaceted, gradually developing taste.
• 90-94 points. Wines for a special occasion.
• 95-100 points. These drinks are called "great". Their taste is remembered for a lifetime.

The best of the best

And now about the leaders of the notorious rating. According to it, the following Russian wines are considered the best:

• Producer: Chateau Semigorya. Cabernet Sauvignon 2014of the year. Red, dry. 90 points.
• Manufacturer: "Satera". Kacha Valley Petit Verdot 2013. Red, dry. 90 points.
• Producer: Tsimlyansk wines. Grand Reserve 2013. White dry. 89 points.
• Producer: Lefkadia. Licuria Merlot-Cabernet 2014. Red, dry. 89 points.
• Manufacturer: Burnier. Redstop Burnier 2008. Red, dry. 88 points.

These are just five leaders. The rating also includes wines from such producers as Fanagoria, Raevskoye-Heyduk, Chateau le Grand Vostok, Villa Victoria, etc.

Of course, someone may disagree with the list and with what manufacturers are included in it, because tastes are subjective. But if you are interested in Russian wines, and what is really worth drinking, then you can focus on it. Since most drinks are also winners of many tasting competitions, which means a lot.