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Due to climatic features, Russia is not the strongest player on the international wine market. Local samples can hardly be compared with the noble Burgundy or the elegant German Gewürztraminer, however, Russians have their own pride – the wines of the Krasnodar Territory.
This territory is part of a larger region – the Kuban – historically considered the breadbasket of Russia. Climatic conditions allow growing even the most whimsical crops, including grapes. More than a hundred varieties of wine berries are cultivated here (30 table and 87 industrial), about 50 farms are engaged in production, vineyards occupy 27 thousand hectares, more than 20 large wineries are registered in the Krasnodar Territory.
Local grapes are used for the production of still and sparkling, red and white, aged and young, table and fortified wines, as well as “cognac” (grape brandy), grape juice, baby food.
History
Archaeologists claim that the vine was cultivated in these territories as early as the XNUMXth-XNUMXth centuries BC, but, of course, there was no talk of industrial production. During the Turkish conquests, the territory was under the influence of Islam and alcohol was generally prohibited.
Official winemaking in the Kuban began in 1871, when Fyodor Ivanovich (Czech Bedrich Yanovich) Geyduk, the first agronomist of the Black Sea District, brought Riesling, Portugizer, Semillon, Cabernet and other grape varieties to the region. Soon, in Abrau-Dyurso, under the patronage of Prince Golitsyn, a factory for the production of sparkling wines, and since then this area of uXNUMXbuXNUMXbthe industry has been steadily developing (intermittently for economic upheavals like the revolution and Perestroika).
In 1881, an epidemic of phylloxera broke out in Europe, and Fedor Ivanovich was sent to study this disease. His notes and developments were subsequently successfully applied in Russia.
In Soviet times, the emphasis was on the development of winemaking in Georgia, Abkhazia, Moldova and other republics, so the wines of the Kuban, although produced in solid volumes, did not differ in excellent quality.
As of 2018, the Krasnodar Territory accounts for 54% of the country’s total wine production. The best wine rarely leaves the region, settling on the shelves of local shops and collectors. What is supplied to Moscow, St. Petersburg or abroad usually belongs to the category of a mass product and boasts only an affordable price, but not an excellent taste and aroma.
Wine regions of Krasnodar
Krasnodar wines are produced in the following areas:
Anapo-Tamanskaya (Temryuk and Anapa regions). This zone accounts for most of the entire production of grape alcohol in the Krasnodar Territory. It is characterized by a mild but dry climate, a variety of soils and terroirs, and a slight elevation difference.
Black Sea. It has a mountainous terrain and a mild climate without strong winds and frosts. Vineyards are located at an altitude of 500-600 meters above sea level.
South Foothills. Hilly terrain, vineyards are located at an altitude of 300-800 m above sea level, includes 6 subzones with different soils and climatic conditions.
Western. Located in the lower reaches of the rivers, it boasts fertile black soil.
Central. Flat areas with fertile soils and unstable winters, threatening both severe frosts and sudden thaws. Includes five climatic subzones.
North. Plains with a continental climate and consistently cold winters, three climatic subzones.
Famous brands of Krasnodar wines
Krasnodar wines regularly win prizes at domestic and (rarely) international competitions. The most famous examples include the following brands:
- “Fanagoria”. One of the largest productions, has been operating since 1957. It specializes in still and sparkling wines, the assortment also includes strong alcohol (balsam, cognac).
- “Abrau-Durso”. The most famous producer of Russian “champagne”, the winery opened in 1870. In addition to sparkling wines, the product line includes brands based on Aligote, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, etc.
- “Lefkadia”. A young but well-known enterprise that opened in 2004. Produces mainly dry and sparkling wines.
- “Caucasus”. It has been operating since 1929, producing dry wines Merlot, Cabernet, Chardonnay, Aligote, Cahors, fortified and dessert brands.
- “Kuban Vine”. The company has been operating since 2004, produces red and white, fortified, dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet wines, the company’s products are distinguished by an affordable price.
- “Kuban wine”. The plant was opened in 1956, the assortment includes more than 120 samples of different varieties and types of wines.
The peculiarity of the local wine market is that there is neither a monopolist nor even an undisputed leader – there are so many producers (and their assortment is so similar) that even the largest of them hardly owns more than 3% of sales.
Many production facilities attract French winemakers and use European equipment and technologies.
Criticism of the wines of the Krasnodar Territory
Domestic producers do not get tired of claiming that the wines of Krasnodar are practically in no way inferior to their European counterparts. Soils and climatic conditions really allow you to create drinks with similar organoleptic properties and rich bouquets.
The problem lies in the imperfection of Russian technologies – as a result, the wine often turns out to be too sour, cloudy, and the potential of the berries is not fully used. Also, Russian winemakers do not disdain artificial flavors and dyes, often use substandard wine materials, do not allow the grapes to ripen to the required level of sugar content.