ProWine Asia 2016 and wines from Russia

One discovery during the ProWine Asia 2016 was a booth exhibiting wines from Russia, Kuban-Vino Winery. It carried a good range of wines from sparkling, still whites and reds, to sweet wines under its Chateau Tamagne wine label.

Though sparkling wines from Abrau-Durso (located near lake Abrau) can be found in Singapore in recent years, it’s certainly difficult to get one’s hands on still wines produced from Russia. And not all ‘Russian wines’ are products of the land either. Wines in Russia have been known to be made from bulk wines imported from other wine growing countries (meaning they are imported into Russia, undergo flavour adjustments to suit local palate and get bottled and labelled as wines from Russia for local consumption). Recent years however has witnessed some shift by local undertakings going the way of increasing vine plantings, viticulture and vinification within Russia itself, using local and international grape varietals.

The representative at the booth explained that Kuban-Vino had its origins in 1956. It’s located within the Taman Peninsula, in a village called Starotitrovskaya. Reaching its 60 years of existence, it has over the years grown into one of the larger wineries in Russia, in terms of viticultural land, vinification capacity and range of product offerings. Investments in modern winery equipments imported from abroad and embracing wine production techniques from other countries have resulted in improvements in quality of wine production and aging of wines. At present slightly more than a 100 types of wines are produced for local and overseas consumption under this winery.

Chateau Tamagne wines
 

The Chateau Tamagne wine label is positioned as its premium brand. Different types of wines are produced under this label (including sparkling wines both done in Charmat and Traditional methods). The grapes used for production are grown within the region and the wines are produced by the winery itself (none of the imported bulk wine issues over here).

Chateau Tamagne Reserve Extra Brut Rose
 

At the booth, the Chateau Tamagne Reserve Extra Brut Rose stood out for its quality, delicate body and flavours, and overall elegance. Made of Cabernet Blanc, Merlot and Saperavi, it showed what Russia can offer in terms of a quality sip.

2012 Chateau Tamagne Reserve Krasnostop & 2010 Chateau Tamagne Reserve Collection Saperavi

Among its reds, 2012 Chateau Tamagne Reserve Krasnostop and 2010 Chateau Tamagne Reserve Collection Saperavi stood out. Both had good fruit presence, depth, balance and smooth texture. While the former (the Krasnostop varietal) revealed tannin highlights in palate, the latter (the Saperavi varietal) revealed the play of acidity in palate.

2013 Chateau Tamagne Reserve Grand Dessert Traminer and 2011 Chateau Tamagne Reserve Grand Dessert Nectar

Showcasing the sweeter wines were the aged and fortified 2013 Chateau Tamagne Reserve Grand Dessert Traminer and 2011 Chateau Tamagne Reserve Grand Dessert Nectar. These being sweeter sips, I opted to taste them closer to the day’s end, but time just flew way… next time when opportune arises I hope.

Sips from Russia

... if you wish to try sips from Russia when in Singapore.

It was an art show located in a gallery at Armenian street. The exhibit showcased works by Russian artists. True to good form, guests were introduced to sips from Russia during this event.

Though Russia has a long history in winemaking, it nevertheless faces challenges in making quality wine with an international appeal. Despite hurdles, some producers are striving to make their mark on the international wine scene.

One such producer is Abrau-Durso winery. I've had the opportunity to see their wines exhibited at Hong Kong Wine & Spirits fairs (an event held annually in Hong Kong). In Singapore, the Abrau-Durso wines can be found at Buyan Russian Restaurant & Caviar Bar at 9 Duxton Hill.

Two sparkling wines from Abrau-Durso winery were showcased during this art event: one the sparkling white demi-sec and the other an extra brut. According to the sommelier at hand, the demi-sec is made with Chardonnay, Pinot noir and Pinot blanc varietals; while the extra brut is made using Pinot noir and Riesling varietals.

Both were made in easy, refreshing styles exhibiting a leaning towards fruit flavours like citrus and apple notes (as opposed to mineral or autolytic character profile).

An interesting spirit came in the form of the Kremlin Award Grand Premium Vodka as well. I must confess that I am not much of a 'spirits' drinker. To this novice, it came forth as an approachable sip with pleasing flavours and an enjoyable texture when tasted neat.

The good host nevertheless ensured the presence of strawberries and tomato juice as accompaniments for those inclined.

A representative from Wine Tatler, the firm marketing this vodka in Singapore, explained that this vodka goes through a '6 steps purification process' and is made under stringent conditions. If you are keen to try these sips from Russia, do contact the respective local merchants :)

Abrau-Durso Sparkling Wines

(… when at Hong Kong Wine & Spirits fair 2012. Some information about a Wine House from Russia for those curious.)

I came to know that Russian wine producers are taking part in this year’s fair for the first time. So making some time, I visited them to learn a little about wine production there. The sparkling wines from Abrau-Durso came as a pleasant surprise.

The exhibitors highlighted that this is the oldest and largest Russian Sparkling Wine House. It came into existence via an Imperial edict by Tsar Alezander ll in 1870. Since then, it has been serving the powers that be from those of the Russian Imperial Court to present day Heads of State.

French winemaking know-how plays an important role in the crafting of these sparkling wines. ‘Methode tradionelle’ has been embraced since 1896 (under the influence of Prince Lev Golitsyn). These wines, when undergoing secondary fermentation in bottles, are kept in mountain tunnels which run over 5.5 kilometres!

This winery also operates Hotel Imperial (on the banks of Lake Abrau) to facilitate the 120,000 visitors who drop by annually to learn about its history and to taste its offerings. Abrau-Durso produces the following labels:

Abrau-Durso Cuvee Alexander ll, Brut (made with Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Blanc and Pinot noir).

Abrau-Durso Cuvee Alexander ll, Brut Rose (made with Pinor Noir).

Abrau-Durso Victor Dravigny, Rouge, Semi-sweet (made with Cabernet Sauvignon).

Champagne Foliage, Extra Brut (made with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier).

Abrau-Durso Russian Sparkling Wine, Brut (made with Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Aligote and Riesling).

Abrau-Durso Russian Sparkling Wine, Demi-sec (made with Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Aligote and Riesling).

Pleasant in palate and of good structure, I learnt from the exhibitors that these sparkling wines can be found in Singapore at Buyan Russian Restaurant & Caviar Bar, 9 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089593.

Go check them out this festive season :)


To view pictures taken at this year's fair you can go to the following links:

Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair 2012, Day 1

Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair 2012, Day 2

Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair 2012, Day 3