The cognac brand belongs to a small Ukrainian enterprise located in the south of the Bessarabian steppes, in the regional center of the Odessa region – Bolgrad. The drink is made from brandy spirits distilled according to the French method from Riesling and Sauvignon grapes grown in Bessarabia, adding 10% French distillates to the blend. The trademark is widely known in Ukraine and post-Soviet countries.
About the manufacturer. The open joint stock company was founded in 1996, during the period of active privatization of small state-owned enterprises. LLC “Pishchevik” was created on the basis of a hundred-year-old winery in Bolgrad. The plant owned, in addition to production workshops, vineyards spread around the deepest lake in Ukraine, Yalpug Lake, and large lands along the Troyanov Val citadel, which once belonged to the Roman Empire.
Bessarabia is rich in winemaking traditions and vineyards, almost every courtyard in Bolgrad has its own winemaker and its own branded drinks. But only in 2010, when Pishchevik LLC began to apply European standards in production, it was possible to raise local wines to a worthy, and not small-town, level. Prior to that, brandy was produced in the Balkan style, and in 2010 French specialists were invited to the factory for consultations, equipment was modernized, an original bottle design was created and the label was updated. Since then, the vessel for Ukrainian brandy is flat, shaped like a flask with a volume of 250 and 500 milliliters. There are gift options – a glass flask with a massive cork is placed in a designer box.
The company owns two well-known brands outside the country – Bolgrad and Marelli. The trademark “Marelli” is represented by vermouth, and “Bolgrad” – cognac. In 2012, Muscat Gold and Bianco Classic vermouths were awarded gold awards at the Odessa Bay international competition, while the three-year-old and five-year-old Bolgrad received gold and silver in their categories.
Cognac is traditionally served as a digestif, with fruit or freshly brewed coffee. The drink goes well with apples and white grapes.
Types of cognac “Bolgrad”
Bolgrad 3 stars (40%). Three-star cognac tea color with reddish-gold reflections has a pleasant aroma with notes of dried cherries, smoked prunes and dried pears. The balanced taste is dominated by hints of muscat grapes, honey and candied fruit. The aftertaste is short and tart, with tones of oak bark.
Bolgrad 4 stars (40%). A four-star drink made from cognac spirits aged in oak containers from 4 to 6 years. Intense color of mature chestnut with a red tint. Spicy aroma with notes of almonds and dried fruits. Harmonious fruity-nutty taste with a warming and slightly tart aftertaste.
Bolgrad 5 stars (40%). Five-star cognac made from distillates aged in oak barrels for five to seven years. Deep chestnut-tea color with a fiery hue. Spicy aroma with tart oak notes. Multifaceted taste with fruity-vanilla and honey tones. Long chocolate aftertaste.
Bolgrad Grande VSOP (40%). The golden-amber drink is classified as Very Superior Old Pale, which means that both Ukrainian and French cognac spirits are aged in oak containers from four to twelve years. The blend was created by French masters. In a pleasant light aroma, notes of dried cherries, raisins and dried apricots are heard. Harmonious taste with hints of creamy caramel, prunes and chocolate. Warm spicy aftertaste of medium duration with hints of vanilla, cocoa and astringency of oak.
