Bolgrad Select Chardonnay 2024 and Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 (Ukraine) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of delicious wines from Ukraine that made their debut at the LCBO in last month's April 11 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Both of these wines are produced by Bolgrad Winery, the No. 1 still-wine producing winery in Ukraine, as they produce 18% of the country's still-wine production. Bolgrad is based in the Odesa region, which is at the heart of the country's winemaking, with over 60% of Ukraine's vines rooted in this region. While the brand was only formed in 1990, the company's history goes back more than 100 years.

Bolgrad's history begins in 1900, when it was housed in the State Wine Warehouse, and vines were grown by landowners. Over time, the producer became the country's largest state-owned winery. At the end of the war in 1945, the company's official history with a decree, and it became a factory on paper. The winery has travelled a thorny path since that time, but has maintained its principles and commitment to producing high-quality wine.

Today, Bolgrad is a well-established producer of alcoholic beverages, including wine and spirits, with quality control at every stage and distribution in various countries globally. To produce their wines, they use a combination of both traditional and modern winemaking techniques.

These wines are from Bolgrad's Select Collection, which is their export-focused, premium range of wines. Selection Collection wines are varietally expressive, fruit-forward, and designed for international palates. Each of these wines are mono-varietal wines that were grown on the southwestern slopes of Yalpug, one of Ukraine's largest freshwater lakes. This area is nestled in a unique valley, where the grapes are kissed by the sunlight from both the sun in the sky and its shimmering reflection on the water's surface. The grapes were carefully selected and hand-harvested at the precise moment of optimal maturity to produce wines of balance.

Given the challenging conditions that are present in the country, the 2024 vintage in Ukraine is considered to be a success in terms of quality. There was continuous rainfall throughout winter and spring, until late May, while summer was exceptionally sunny and hot, which resulted in an earlier than usual harvest. Yields were impacted by the weather conditions, as well as the ongoing conflict, but overall, the vintage is considered to be of exceptional quality. Let's see how these 2024 vintage wines from Ukraine are tasting...

Tasting Notes:

BOLGRAD SELECT CHARDONNAY 2024 - Odesa, Ukraine (#48301) (XD) - $17.95
Delicate, medium intensity nose features white peach, apricot, and ripe lemon citrus aromas, plus hints of honeyuckle and floral. The weighty, medium-full bodied palate is dry with honeyed notes of lemon citrus, apple, pear, apricot, and honeysuckle flavours. It has clean, well-balanced acidity, along with some spicy warmth on the mid-palate. Citrus and apricot notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Score: 87+ pts

BOLGRAD SELECT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2024 - Ukraine (#48357) (XD) - $17.95
A gentle nose of red plum and currant aromas with hints of cran-cherry, cassis, and savoury oak. It's medium-full bodied and very ripe with sweet fruited flavours of currant, cassis, plum, black cherry, and oak spice. It's supported by very good, fresh acidity, alongside well-structured and gently grippy tannins. Good length on the savoury, slightly smoky finish. Score: 86 pts

While there is a Brandy by Bolgrad available at the LCBO, any other products may be ordered through their Agent - Rare Earth Wines.

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Artemivske Victory White Brut Sparkling and Red Semi-Sweet Sparkling (Ukraine) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's sparkling wine reviews are a pair of brand-new arrivals that landed at the LCBO a couple of weeks ago in the November 30 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Both of these wines are produced by Artwinery, a sparkling wine producer in Ukraine that was established in 1950, but whose history goes back to the 19th century.

Ukranian history in the production of traditional method sparkling wines begins with Prince Lev Golitsyn, who bought an estate in Novyi Svit, on the southern shores of Crimea, that was completely destroyed during the Crimean War. By 1882, the Prince's factory was able to revive Crimean winemaking by producing traditional method sparkling wines. During this period, in the town of Bakhmut, in the eastern part of the country, engineer Edmund Farke signed a contract with the government for the construction of alabaster factories, which became a thriving enterprise. The extraction of gypsum for the factories resulted in a large underground mine, 70 metres below ground, which had a micro-climate that allowed for fermentation to take place, and was the beginning of unique wine production in Ukraine.

The celebration of victory following World War II required a special drink, and in the 1940s they started working on creating "Soviet sparkling wine", which had to be of at least equal quality to Champagne. They used the underground galleries of Bakhmut, which was known as Artemivsk back then, for the production of classical sparkling wines, and by 1950, the wine factory was officially established. These wines were tasty, high-quality, and the most hard-to-find in the U.S.S.R., as they were distributed mostly in stores for those that worked for the party, while off-limits to ordinary citizens.

As Ukraine gained its independence in 1991, the wine factory began creating sparkling wines under its own brands - Artemivske and Krim. In 2007, the winery began upgrading the plant with more modern and powerful units, while the laboratory was completely renovated. Furthermore, some processes that were manually performed are also now automated. These upgrades allowed the winery to produce 25 million bottles per year. In 2016, the company got its new name - Artwinery. By 2020, Artwinery's sparkling wines were gaining global recognition and winning prizes at international industry competitions and exhibitions.

Today, Artwinery is the largest in Eastern Europe and the only one in Ukraine to produce sparkling wines in the classic Champenoise method where re-fermentation of the wine and its saturation with bubbles is carried out naturally in bottle. As we know - place matters, and as such, Bakhmut is situated at the same latitude and climatic zone as Champagne. The grapes used to create Artwinery's sparkling wines are grown in the fertile soils of southern Ukraine, in the sunny climates of Odesa, Kherson, and Mykolaiv. With the war in Ukraine ongoing, the workers continue producing wine in secret locations to not let the Russians stop their work.

These particular sparkling wines are from Artwinery's Artemivske range. The Artemivske brand is only 10 years old, but has become the #1 sparkling wine in Ukraine and is a favourite among several generations as it evokes the warmth of your family memories and the brightest everyday emotions. Today, the Artemivske brand retains its impeccable quality and enjoys constant popularity. Each bottle in the Artemivske range is fermented using their special in-house yeast and aged in bottle for at least 9 months and offers a delicate bouquet and taste. Let's see how these sparkling wines from Ukraine are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

ARTEMIVSKE VICTORY RED SEMI-SWEET SPARKLING - Ukraine (#40768) (MS) - $18.95
Crafted in the Charmat method, this blend of Cabernet, Merlot, and Saperavi has a medium intensity nose that is gently spicy, followed by macerated black cherry, dark berry, milk chocolate, cocoa, dark plum, cassis, and currant aromas. It's mid-weighted and gently sweet with black cherry, plummy, dark berry, savoury spices, and chocolate flavours supported by gently frothy mousse and bright acidity that tempers the sweetness. Quite harmonious and balanced throughout, even some sense of elegance, while savoury cocoa and milk chocolate notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. Score: 88+ pts

ARTEMIVSKE VICTORY WHITE BRUT SPARKLING - Ukraine (#40769) (D) - $18.95
Blend of Chardonnay, Riesling, and Aligoté crafted in the Charmat method. The fresh, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose offers ripe peach, nectarine, honeysuckle, and freshly sliced apple aromas accented with orange and citrus notes. There's a touch of sweetness alongside bitterness on the crisp, refreshing, and slightly frothy light-to-mid-weighted palate with lively acidity and bubbles. Gently sweet flavours of apple, pear, orchard fruit, and white floral, plus notes of peach and citrus. Juicy and succulent on the mid-palate, while leesy notes linger on the essentially dry finish, with very good length. Appealing crowd-pleaser. Recommended buy. Score: 88 pts

Other delicious sparkling wines by Artwinery can be purchased through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.

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Zirkova One and Together Ultra Premium Vodka (Ukraine) - Spirit Reviews

For tonight's reviews, I bring you a pair of lovely vodkas from Ukraine that are widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

The Zirkova Vodka brand was founded by Canadians headquartered in Ontario and is authentically made in the Ukraine at the original factory that Tsar Nicholas II began distilling vodka in the 1800s. While this vodka is made with wheat and rye, it is certified by the LCBO as gluten-free.

After extensive testing, gluten was not detected in Zirkova Vodkas, with results detecting less than 5PPM - the standard for gluten-free certifications is less than 20PPM. This means that those who are celiac or gluten-intolerant can safely enjoy Zirkova Vodka. It was important for Zirkova's Director of Marketing to get this proof as she has Celiac. Proudly formulated and distilled to be all-inclusive, accessible and welcoming to everyone, Zirkova Vodka is also vegan, plant-based, and keto-friendly.

Zirkova has handcrafted in small batches these two vodkas for your pleasure - the Zirkova One was designed to be sipped neat, on the rocks, or in a martini, while the Zirkova Together was crafted to enhance and elevate your favourite cocktail. Zirkova One and Together are both quadruple distilled and centre cut from the finest Ukrainian rye and wheat spirits, blended with pure artisan water, then slow-filtered through massive columns of birch charcoal and quartz. Although both of these lovely vodkas are not considered flavoured vodkas, there are some subtleties worth nothing, and both are worth a try as they are very good quality. Budmo!

Tasting Notes:

ZIRKOVA ONE ULTRA PREMIUM VODKA - Ukraine (#638197) (750 mL) - $30.95 $28.95 until Nov. 8.
Aromas of almond, hay, earth, and mineral elegantly rise out of the glass. The mouthfeel is quite smooth and velvety. Some warmth as it glides down your throat, but nicely balanced overall with a tinge of citrus joining the aroma replays on the smooth, long finish. Very nice!

ZIRKOVA TOGETHER ULTRA PREMIUM VODKA - Ukraine (#638205) (750 mL) - $30.95
Subtle aromas of anise, hay, earth, and spice which follow through on the spicy palate. Although this is not a flavoured vodka, it is quite flavourful with some enticing anise and cucumber notes also coming through on the mid-palate. It is rounded and plump with hints of sweet vanilla and almond on the finish, with very good length. Recommended in cocktails, but I would also enjoy this on its own after dinner.

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