Russian Wine

Vines have been in Russia for thousands of years, growing wildly around the Caspian, Black and Azov Seas, the Viticulture of these grapes would have started before the Ancient Greeks, as evidence of trading between the two has been found along the shores of the Black Sea in both Phanagoria and Gorgippia.

It has been claimed that the Black Sea area is actually the Oldest Wine Region in the World, although it cannot be confirmed.

It wasn’t until the 19th century when the world started tasting some quality Russian wines, being produced in commercial volumes

Another very interesting piece of information is the fact that Russia can call their Sparkling Wines by the name of Champagne, France are obviously very unhappy about this, but under a new Russian law, only Russian producers can label their wines by the name of ‘Shampanskoye’ which directly translates to Champagne.

The name was created in 1928 by the Soviets after Stalin ordered the creation of a luxury drink to become available to the masses and it was called ‘Sovetskoye Shampanskoye‘ which means ‘Soviet Champagne‘

The main wine regions in Russia:

• Caucasus
• Crimea
• Krasnodar

Russia Controlled Appellations:

• Sibirkovy (Russian: Сибирьковый)
• Tsimlyanski Cherny (Russian: Цимлянский чёрный)
• Plechistik (Russian: Плечистик)
• Narma (Russian: Нарма)
• Güliabi Dagestanski (Russian: Гюляби Дагестанский)
• Krasnostop Zolotovsky (Russian: Красностоп Золотовский)
• Saperavi (Russian: Саперави)
• Platovsky (Russian: Платовский)
• Bastardo Magarachsky (Russian: Бастардо Магарачский)
• Kefesia (Russian: Кефесия)
• Kokur Belyi (Russian: Кокур Белый)

Russia have over 100 grape varieties available in the production of Russian Wine including some of the following:

• Rkatsiteli – Accounts for over 45% of production.
• Aligote
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Cabernet Severny
• Clairette Blanche
• Merlot
• Muscat
• Pinot Gris
• Plavai
• Portugieser
• Riesling
• Saperavi
• Silvaner
• Traminer
• Golubok