Page 3 - Code de Vino, #3/10, s/a 2009

Code de Vino #3 3

Russia is suited better than
any other European country
for the cultivation of grapes.
Dmitry Mendeleev

EDITOR’S NOTE

At first glance, Russia's reputation in the winemaking industry is far from pristine. Indeed, decades of social shakeups, anti-
alcohol and anti-vineyard campaigns have left their negative mark on the country's domestic winemaking culture. Experts note
that the quality of wine produced in Russia for the most part corresponds to existing demand.
For significant changes in quality to occur, a more significant amount of time is needed. Wine is a product requiring thorough
efforts and substantial investments of money and resources. It would simply be naive to expect big changes to happen fast.
However, that doesn't mean there isn't anything to be proud of today.

Above all else, Russia has a long-spanning history with wine, where their traditions still live on today. It would be a grave mistake
to believe there is nothing of value left in the Russian winemaking scene. Winemaking here is still passed on from generation to
generation, such as the case with Yanis Karakezidis, whose wine is renowned all over the world for its exquisite quality. Many
other world-class wineries are operating here as well.
Russia has everything it takes to make great wine—soil, which has been producing amazing results since the 20th century,
qualified winemakers, a solid scientific base, local grape varieties, and even its endemic Caucasian oak for barrels, with quality
that is on par with French and American oak. All these factors have already shown impressive results in recent years.
The process of evolution is gradual and follows its own rules. Restaurants are adding new interesting positions in their wine
menus, sommeliers are pushing their profession forward, the wine section in your neighborhood supermarket is growing...

So what's the problem with the image of Russian wines? If we just forget about the global and often abstract picture and come
back to reality, we can see everything in a totally different light. Because wine, like life itself, is about the here and now.