Which Russian champagne to choose? Reviews about Russian producers of champagne

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

Many people know that genuine wine, called champagne, is produced in the French province of the same name from certain grape varieties using special technologies. However, sparkling wine, produced for several decades, first in the Soviet Union, and then in Russia, is in no way inferior to the original samples. This is confirmed by numerous international awards. Let's try to figure out how to choose the best Russian champagne for a festive banquet, the taste and quality of which is as close as possible to the original.

Original French technology

If we discard those very specific grape varieties - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier - and consider only the production process, we see that the production of original champagne is a very labor-intensive process, for which secondary fermentation in bottles is applicable. The whole process of bottled champagne should take at leastthree years. It is this exclusive technology of French winemakers that guarantees excellent quality and incomparable taste of champagne.

Production in large tanks

It would be absurd to imagine that for a country as large as ours, directly bottled champagne would not be supplanted by improved technology. The bright minds of the Soviet Union in the middle of the last century discovered and patented first the technology of champagne in large tanks, and then the production of sparkling wine in a continuous tank method. The Soviet (Russian) champagne produced in this way was noted as the best sample, not inferior to the classic counterpart. Moreover, many foreign manufacturers adopted the experience of Soviet know-how.

Abundance of modern producers

In Soviet times, there were no problems with the choice of sparkling wine, because the assortment was very poor. The plant-monopolist, supplying store shelves for the holidays, was a non- alternative option. And now, given that distilleries are growing like mushrooms after the rain, it is not surprising to get confused, even if there are already some most preferred brands. How to choose Russian champagne from the abundance of brands on the shelves and what you need to know before going to the supermarket?

Let's go shopping

From the abundance of bottles presented on the shelves, we immediately reject the options poured into light containers. Why? The dark glass of the bottle does not let light in and does not give sparkling winegrow old, turn yellow and become bitter in taste. For example, we need Russian semi-sweet champagne. We will carefully study the labeling. We know that there must be some sugar in wine. However, the presence of citric acid, alcohol, dyes and flavors will make the drink run out of steam quickly. Well, of course, there can be no talk of any foaminess in this case. In addition, if we do not want a headache in the morning, we reject this option.

Russian Champagne: Genuine Samples

Real domestic samples of sparkling wine must go through a cycle of natural fermentation. Cheaper drinks only go through the process of carbonation with the help of special devices. Reading the markings on the label will also help determine this. We reject the option if we see the inscription "Carbonated" or "Sparkling" wine.

Next, pay attention to the cork of the bottle. Many manufacturers seal the container with a plastic stopper. For example, the taste that Russian brut champagne has with a similar stopper will be significantly inferior to the taste of a similar drink contained under a cork stopper. In this case, air is almost completely absent inside the bottle, and a characteristic sour taste will never appear. The same cannot be said about corking sparkling wine with a plastic cork.

Additional selection criteria

Sparkling rosé, by definition, cannot be considered champagne. Exceptionally, all the above-mentioned grape varieties used for the production of the original drink are white. As a result, such a drink as Russian white, semi-sweet champagne has received the greatest popularity among Russian consumers.

What else should we note? We avoid the capacious inscription "With the addition of flavors." Naturally, every self-respecting producer places his legal address on the label, and also indicates the method of production of sparkling wine.

Differences in price categories should not confuse the buyer. If he orders a banquet and is not ready to shell out an impressive amount for champagne alone, he only needs to pay close attention to the release date of the drink. For budget options, the shelf life should not exceed 1 year from the date of manufacture. Expensive drinks only get better with time, but it's better not to risk it with mid-priced options.

And last. Too low price should scare away the buyer. Here you need to estimate the cost price in your mind and immediately draw the appropriate conclusions. We will also say our strong “no” to bottles containing sediment and suspicious substances at the bottom.

Champagne Russian: manufacturer reviews

In fact, the preferences of champagne consumers fully coincide with the recognition of professional experts. So, the St. Petersburg manufacturer - the company "Sparkling Wines" - produces the brand "Heritage of the master Lev Golitsyn", which has been repeatedly noted at various international competitionsand took home gold and silver medals. It is worth noting that the company was founded back in 1945.

Also, the Moscow enterprise Kornet, founded during the Great Patriotic War, has an impressive history. The products are also awarded with gold and silver medals, and are highly respected and in demand in the consumer market. If we consider all categories of sparkling wines, according to consumer reviews, Russian brut champagne, white sparkling wine, traditionally containing the least amount of sugar, is considered the most popular. Many experts and connoisseurs of the drink believe that sugar can muffle the true taste of champagne. The Moscow company offers all lovers of the original taste "Cornet" brut.

Champagne category "economy"

"How? - you ask. - Are there good producers of inexpensive champagne?" It turns out there are. The Beslan company Istok has shown itself well, including among international experts. The southern traditions of wine production came in handy. Inexpensive and high-quality raw materials make the products one of the most popular in their segment. The ratio of relatively low prices and excellent southern quality is very fond of buyers. Istok products also received high awards.

Independently reviewed stamps

Some brands of sparkling wines have been independently peer reviewed. In addition to the popular and well-established manufacturers mentioned above,examination passed:

• Russian champagne "Crimean".
• Semi-dry champagne "Russian Gold" of the Togliatti company "Rosinka".
• Vladikavkaz semi-sweet Wintrest-7.
• Petersburg "Northern Venice".

Choose from the best

Now we have learned a lot about how real sparkling wine is made and which leading companies in the country supply excellent quality products to the market. We will see a fake and low-quality goods with the naked eye. But how do you choose your drink from the known quality products?

So, look at the sugar content. To do this, you do not need to memorize scorecards or look at familiar letters on the label. We just need to understand that Russian white brut champagne has a minimum amount of sugar, and any sweet or semi-sweet sparkling wine has a maximum amount of sugar. In addition, semi-dry and dry champagne is made exclusively according to the classical technology, but the increased sugar content indicates an accelerated production method.

The final factor in choosing the perfect drink will be a dense cork. The champagne of our dreams will not allow itself plastic on top.

Domestic champagne for connoisseurs and gourmets

Aged sparkling wines are also produced in our country with an aging period of at least 6 months after the completion of the champagne process. For true aesthetes and gourmets, collectible stamps are produced with an aging period of at least three years from the end of the champagne process.

Alkali is the enemy of bubbles

Sometimes people who have bought a quality brand of champagne are surprised at the absence of characteristic bubbles in the glass. They are indignant: is a fake hidden under a well-known brand? In fact, it is necessary to ask a question to the housewives who wash the glasses before serving the festive table. What means do they use to wash their glasses? If any alkaline solution was used when rinsing the dishes, it will not be possible to completely wash it off with plain water. The remains of lye inside the glass can give a chemical reaction, and the bubbles will simply disappear.

In order for the joyful mood of the festive evening to be further emphasized by playful bubbles, the glasses must be washed exclusively with water, and then dried naturally, without resorting to napkins and towels. Connoisseurs of good wines are in a hurry to share one more subtlety. It is not for nothing that champagne glasses have a thin stem. It is by the leg that you need to hold the glass in order to feel the integrity of perception and not to miss volatile compounds.