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Champagne “Massandra” is a new product of the Crimean enterprise of the same name, known for its collection of aged wines. The brand appeared as a result of the joint work of Massandra PJSC with the Sevastopol winery, which has been producing high-quality champagne from its own grapes for about ninety years.
Historical information
The state enterprise “Sevastopol Winery” traces its history back to 1938, when, on the personal order of I.V. Stalin, the first batch of sparkling wines was laid in the cellars of the enterprise. By the beginning of World War II, there were about 2 million bottles in the cellars of the plant, which were destroyed during the hostilities. The enterprise was restored only in the early 60s, when the experimental workshops were rebuilt.
In 1966, Sevastopol champagne was awarded the gold award at the international competition in Budapest, and by the 80s, the production volume reached a record 940 thousand decaliters per year. Since the mid-90s, the company has completely switched to the production of sparkling wines, elite brands were supplied for the needs of the government. In 2014, the plant became the property of the Russian state, and equipment was modernized in the shops.
One of the oldest Crimean wineries “Massandra” has been cooperating with FSUE “SVZ” for a long time, purchasing rare types of raw materials from colleagues from Sevastopol. The idea to release a joint champagne arose in 2016. Experts have been working on the varietal composition for a long time and have chosen for the production of a new sparkling wine grapes “Aligote”, “Pinot grey”, “Kokur” and two muscats: white and pink. The first batch of “Massandra” was released by the beginning of the 2017 holiday season.
Manufacture
Champagne is produced according to the Sharma method, which has been successfully used by European winemakers for about 100 years. Its difference from the classic French method is that the secondary fermentation takes place not in a bottle, but in stainless steel containers – acratophores. Tank aging allows you to get high quality wines, significantly reducing the overall production time. Champagne “Massandra” began to be in demand even before its appearance – orders for a novelty came from all over the country.
Interesting fact
The new brand is the first experience in the production of sparkling wine at the Massandra enterprise. Prior to this, the plant specialized mainly in the production of fine wines. The management plans to launch their own line for the production of special, “pearl” champagne. The raw material will be grapes grown in Gurzuf.
Types of champagne “Massandra”
Massandra white Crimean semi-sweet, 13%
Sparkling wine of a light golden hue in a glass forms many small bubbles and does not exhale for a long time. The aroma is dominated by floral notes. On the palate, hints of fresh fruit stand out. At the finish, a slightly noticeable astringency is felt.
Massandra pink semi-sweet, 13%
The pink color of champagne comes from a small portion of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. The aroma smells of forest raspberries and wild strawberries. The taste harmoniously combines fruity sweetness and berry sourness.
Massandra white sparkling Brut, 13%
Classic brut of light straw color with the aroma of green grapes. Mineral, lime and apple shades are well balanced in a refreshing taste. Champagne is saturated with carbon dioxide bubbles and does not exhale for a long time in an open bottle.
