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I have always been interested in history, and recently I read that Joseph Stalin spent quite a lot of time in feasts. As a true Georgian, he preferred national cuisine and drinks, however, he himself drank alcohol in small quantities.
Many historians claim that it is not without reason. Thus, the leader allegedly waited for the moment when the rest would get drunk and it would be possible to learn from them information that sober people prefer not to give out. But is it so – will forever remain in history.
In general, it became interesting to me: what kind of alcoholic drinks did Joseph Vissarionovich like? And this is what I learned about the passions of the great leader, and there were several of them.
What drinks did Stalin prefer?
As I managed to find out from various sources, the leader’s favorite drink is Usahelaouri (Usakhelauri). First bottled and delivered to the Kremlin in 1934. After tasting, Joseph Stalin recognized this wine as the best alcohol. Produced to this day.
Rare Georgian grapes of the same name are used for it. It should be noted that the drink really has an amazing naturally sweet taste, exceptional tenderness and sophistication.
Stalin drank little, but knew a lot about good drinks
Stalin understood not only good wines, but also when and with what to drink them. So, in the summer heat, white wine was always present on his table, in winter frosts – red semi-dry.
Khvanchkara (Khvanchkara) wine was among the favorite drinks of the leader. It is prepared from the rarest Alexandreuli grape variety. It has a light ruby color, the taste is very velvety with dominance of strawberry notes.
Speaking about the alcohol preferences of I. Stalin, one cannot help but recall two more excellent wines that he liked so much. We are talking about Tsinandali (Tsinandali) and Kindzmarauli (Kindzmarauli).
Although Stalin preferred red wines, sometimes white ones also appeared on his table. For the preparation of Tsinandali, two grape varieties are used, the product is aged in oak barrels, due to which it acquires a characteristic bitter aftertaste of citrus notes.
Once this wine was delivered to the table of the leader in special barrels.
Kindzmarauli is made from a rare Saperavi grape variety, which grows only in one region of Georgia. Differs in saturated pomegranate color, velvety cherry taste.
At the same time, no sugar is added during the cooking process, which makes this variety even more unique. By the way, I know this firsthand, because this brand of wine is one of my favorites.
What alcohol was given to Stalin by foreigners
Probably, I will not reveal a secret to anyone if I say that alcohol has long been considered one of the best presents. So it was in Stalin’s times. The leader was generously presented with gifts, and alcoholic drinks were no exception.
Often, foreign guests presented cognac to Stalin, believing that this noble drink fully corresponded to the status of a great leader. The collection included OS (very old cognac – at least 12 years old), Eniseli (Yeniseli), KS (old – 10 years old) and many others.
Iosif Vissarionovich rarely used strong intoxicants – cognac and vodka, so he often offered them to guests.
What Soviet winemakers offered Stalin
As I have already noted, this politician was a great connoisseur and sophisticated connoisseur of wines. Drinks for him were selected by the best professional winemakers from all over the Soviet Union and taken to the Kremlin, accompanied by NKVD officers.
The wine was delivered by aircraft in special barrels. At the same time, it was extremely important that the drink “did not shake”. To do this, the container was kept on their knees.
On the table of the leader were always:
- “Soviet champagne”;
- Georgian wines;
- excellent cognac;
- vodka “Stolichnaya” and other strong drinks.
Stalin had special respect for homemade wine. It certainly had to be dry and diluted with cold water. In the last years of his life, he drank only weak drinks, the strength of which did not exceed 4 degrees.
Which factories supplied alcohol to the table of the Secretary General
At different times, alcoholic drinks from various places in the USSR appeared on Stalin’s table:
- Tbilisi brandy factory;
- Kizlyar cognac factory;
- Crimean winery “Friendship of Peoples”;
- Special shops in Moscow and other wineries in the country.
Thus, the great leader of the Soviet Union understood alcoholic beverages, knew a lot about good wine and preferred it.
What do you like? What is your favorite wine?