All-Ukrainian Association of Winemakers and Sommeliers in partnership with the Ukrainian Cavist Association and the Master Class Sommelier School recently held the long-awaited All-Ukrainian Tasting Competition. The competition is aimed at highlighting the influence of terroir on Ukrainian wines, identifying the best wines and distillates in various categories through professional blind tasting, and emphasizing the importance of micro winemaking in Ukraine.
According to Natalia Blagopolyunova, President of the All-Ukrainian Association of Winemakers and Sommeliers, after a break in 2022, the competition returned with an additional nomination for Distillates, which was applied for by winemakers from all over the country.
“We did not hold the competition last year, although everything was planned. This year, we decided to try it, made an announcement a month in advance, and applications came in immediately. In addition, we added another nomination, Distillates, at the request of the participants,” she emphasized.
In total, the event was attended by 30 winemakers from 13 regions, including several newcomers who took part in the competition for the first time. A total of 114 samples of wines and spirits were presented and judged in 13 categories.
Valeriy Narovylo became the outstanding winemaker of the competition, receiving three gold medals and a red blend that won the Grand Prix. His wine received the maximum score of 100 points from the jury chairman Ricardo Nunez and was recognized as worthy of competing with famous European samples. This year’s competition also recognized the high quality of the distillates presented, with the Grand Prix in this category going to the grape muscat of TM Slavia.
The professional jury, headed by Ricardo Nunez, President of the international wine holding Vinos de la Luz, evaluated the samples on a point system, and gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded according to the points received. The jury consisted of experts from various fields of the wine industry, including sommeliers, winemakers, cavists and industry observers.
The competition also featured several categories, including sparkling wines, best riesling, best chardonnay, white local varieties, orange wines, rosé wines, best pinot noir, best merlot, best cabernet sauvignon, red local varieties, red blend, dessert wines and distillates. The winners in each category were determined based on the jury’s scores.
Among the outstanding winners are “Sparkling Rose, 2021” by TM “Moye Vino” (Eduard Gorodetsky) in the category “Sparkling Wines”, “Riesling, 2021” by Volodymyr Simakin in the category “Best Riesling” and “Chardonnay, 2022” by TM “Babchuk Winery” in the category “Best Chardonnay”. In the Best Merlot category, the gold medal was awarded to Merlot, 2020 by NAROVYLO WINERY. In the Red Blend category, the gold medal and the Grand Prix of the competition went to CS/CF/Merlot, 2020 by NAROVYLO WINERY, which received an excellent rating from the chairman of the jury, Ricardo Nunez.
The unique format of the competition, which focuses on the evaluation of wines and distillates from small producers (craft production), allowed participants to communicate with industry professionals and become members of the jury themselves. This year’s competition demonstrated the exceptional quality of Ukrainian craft wines and distillates and emphasized the importance of micro winemaking in the country’s future.
The winners of the competition will have the opportunity to present their wines and distillates at the VIII International Forum of Winemakers and Sommeliers, which will be held in November 2023 at the InterContinental Hotel in Kyiv. The All-Ukrainian Association of Winemakers and Sommeliers expresses its gratitude to all participants, jury members and the Armed Forces of Ukraine for their assistance in holding the event.
Organizers of the competition:
Ukrainian Association of Winemakers and Sommeliers
Association of cavists of Ukraine
The first in Ukraine Sommelier School “Master Class”
Media partners:
Interfax-Ukraine news agency;
Kyiv Analytical Center “Experts Club”;
Open4business portal.
Professional jury of the Competition:
Ricardo Nunez – Chairman of the Jury, President of the International Wine Holding “Vinos de la Luz”;
Natalia Blagopoluchna – Secretary of the Jury, President of the All-Ukrainian Association of Winemakers and Sommeliers;
Natalia Burlachenko, CEO of Big Wine- Big Art;
Oleg Kravchenko – “Best Sommelier of Ukraine 2011”, co-owner and chef-sommelier of the wine bar “Win bar”;
Yegor Belov – “Ukrainian Sommelier – 2018”, chef de cuisine at the Inercontinental Hotel;
Olga Girman – Ukrainian Sommelier 2021, founder of the Wine Evenings project;
Bohdan Dukal – “Best cavist of Ukraine – 2019”, director of 2 wine boutiques “Winetime”;
Yaroslav Panchuk – “The Best Caviarist of Ukraine – 2021”, caviarist at Bad Boy wine boutique;
Oleksii Bondar – “Best Caviarist of Ukraine – 2020”, manager of TS+;
Oleksandr Kovach – President of the Transcarpathian Winemakers Association, winemaker;
Yevheniia Pustovit, winemaker at Chateau Pinot and 46 Parallel;
Olga Pinevych-Todoriuk – Editor-in-Chief of Drinks+ magazine, observer from the General Information Partner.
The jury was assessed according to the following criteria:
Gold medal – 91-100 points;
Silver medal – 86-90 points;
Bronze medal – 81-85 points.
The full list of winners is available here:
1. Nomination “Sparkling wines”.
“Sparkling pink, 2021”, TM “My Wine”, Eduard Gorodetsky – gold medal;
“Sparkling pink, 2019”, TM “46 Parallel” – silver medal;
“Petnat Irshai Olever, 2021”, TM “Kovacs Wine” – bronze medal.
2. Best Riesling nomination.
“Riesling, 2021, Volodymyr Simakin – gold medal;
“Riesling, 2022”, TM “Babchuk Winery” – silver medal;
“Riesling, 2017, TM Vinaria – bronze medal.
3. Best Chardonnay nomination.
1. “Chardonnay, 2022”, TM “Babchuk Winery” – gold medal;
2. “Chardonnay, 2020”, TM “Mon Crafto” – silver medal;
3. “Chardonnay, 2021”, TM “Dukat-Agro – bronze medal.
4. Nomination “White local variety.
1.” Zagrej, 2022″, National Scientific Center “Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking named after V.E. Tairov – gold medal;
2. “Aligote, 2020”, TM “Wine Valley” – silver medal.
3. “Solaris, 2022”, Georgiy Samsoniuk – bronze medal.
5. Orange wines nomination.
1. “Orange, 2021”, TM “Kovacs Wines” – gold medal;
2. “Telti-Kuruk, 2022”, TM “Ofiussa Winery” – silver medal;
3. “Rkatsiteli, 2020”, TM “Driukivski Wines” – bronze medal.
6. Nomination “Pink wines”.
“Pinot Noir, 2021, TM “My Wine”, Eduard Gorodetsky – gold medal;
“Pinot Noir, 2021, TM Chateau Pinot – silver medal;
“Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022, TM Babchuk Winery – bronze medal.
7. Best Pinot Noir nomination.
1. “Pinot Noir, 2020”, TM “46 Parallel” – gold medal;
2. “Pinot Noir, 2020”, TM “Sergius Vinum” – silver medal;
3. “Pinot Noir, 2020”, Georgiy Samsoniuk – bronze medal.
8. Best Merlot nomination.
1. “Merlot, 2020”, TM “NAROVYLO WINERY” – gold medal;
2. “Merlot, 2020”, TM “Slavia” – silver medal;
3. “Merlot, 2021”, TM “My Wine”, Eduard Gorodetsky – bronze medal.
9. Best Cabernet Sauvignon nomination.
1. “Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021”, TM “Mon Crafto” – gold medal;
2. “Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021”, TM “My Wine”, Eduard Gorodetsky – silver medal;
3. “Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019”, TM “SHERWOOD WINERY” – bronze medal
10. Nomination “Red local variety”.
1. “Aliberne, 2020”, TM “NAROVYLO WINERY” – gold medal;
2. “Zweigelt, 2019”, TM “Vina Kovacha” – silver medal;
3. “Odesa Black, 2018”, TM “Babchuk Winery” – bronze medal.
11. Red Blend nomination.
1. “KC/KF/Merlot, 2020”, TM “NAROVYLO WINERY” – gold medal, Grand Prix of the Competition (the best wine of the Competition), 100 points from the Chairman of the Jury Ricardo Nunez!
2. “Grand Admiral, 2018”, TM “46 Parallel” – silver medal;
3. “COP/CF, 2020”, TM “Vinaria” – bronze medal.
12. Nomination “Dessert wines”.
1. “Muscat of the Carpathians, 2014”, TM “Kovach’s Wines” – gold medal;
2. “Black Pearl, 2017”, TM “Kovacs Wines” – silver medal;
3. “White dessert vermouth”, TM “Winemaker Vinokur” – bronze medal.
13. Nomination “Distillates”.
1. “Grappa Muscat, 2019, 40%”, TM “Slavia” – gold medal, Grand Prix of the Competition (the best distillate of the Competition);
2. “Chacha Odesa Black, 2022, 42%”, TM “Winemaker Vinokur” – silver medal;
3. “Chacha Sauvignon Blanc, 10 years, 44%”, TM “Vinaria” – silver medal;
4. “Brandy, 2015, 42%”, TM “Vina Kovacha” – silver medal;
5. “Honey casserole, 40%”, TM “Winemaker Vinokur” – silver medal;
6. “Chacha Sauvignon Blanc, 2019, 41%”, TM “Vinaria” – silver medal;
7. “Apple, 42%”, TM “KALYUS WINERY” – silver medal;
8. “Calvados, 42%”, Ivan Gorobets – silver medal.
ALL-UKRAINIAN_ASSOCIATION_OF_WINEMAKERS_AND_SOMMELIERS, CLUB_OF_EXPERTS, COMPETITION, NATALIA_BLAGOPOLUCHNA, RICARDO_NUNEZ, SOMMELIER, WINE, WINEMAKING
The Ukrainian national football team has beaten Bosnia and Herzegovina 2:0 away in the last qualifying group match, and got the opportunity to play in the playoffs for reaching the final of the World Cup, which will be held in Qatar in November-December 2022.The first goal in the 58th minute was scored by Oleksandr Zinchenko with a pass from Viktor Tsyhankov, the second – in the 79th minute by Artem Dovbyk, who was led one on one with goalkeeper by Mykola Shaparenko.Before the last round, the fate of a path to the playoffs largely depended on the outcome of the Finland-France match, but the home team also lost 0:2, allowing Ukraine to enter the play-offs with 12 points from second place in the group.
The 46 Parallel wines were awarded gold and silver medals at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles international competition and recognized as one of the best among 10,000 wines from 50 countries.
46 Parallel Wine Group is the only Ukrainian company that won gold in the blind tastings of one of the most prestigious contests, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, which took place in Luxemburg on June 17-27. This is a success not only for the company, which in a year and a half of its existence has received 50 medals at international and Ukrainian competitions, but also for the entire wine industry of Ukraine. With their victory, the winemakers have once again confirmed: domestic wines deserve to be on the same list with the best wines in the world, as well as become the country’s hallmark on the international arena.
Recognition of the experts at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2021 was awarded to the wines from the author’s collection Grand Admiral and El Capitan.
The gold of the competition was awarded to the proprietor’s premium vintage dry red wine Grand Admiral Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon.
The silver in Luxembourg was awarded to the vintage dry red wine Grand Admiral Merlot. This wine conquered experts from all over the world and received six awards from Ukrainian and international competitions, and also received positive reviews from the uncompromising consultant to Her Majesty The Queen of Great Britain, Jancis Robinson.
The silver medal of Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2021 in the legacy of 46 Parallel Wine Group was brought by the sparkling wine El Capitan Brut from the exquisite collection of light premium wines El Capitan.
All wines that are submitted to the competition go through several stages of selection and thorough examination. This year, they were assessed by 60 commissions of tasters – a total of 250 world-class professionals with tremendous experience of participating in blind tastings.
“We are proud that our wines are included in the list of the best wines in the world. The medals of the competition and the recognition of experts who noted the exceptional quality of our wines not only give an objective and impartial expert assessment, but also inspire us to the creation of premium wines, which will open Ukraine to the world,” Anna Gorkun, CEO and founder of 46 Parallel Wine Group, says.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPETITION:
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is one of the most prestigious international wine competitions that brings together the key industry players from all over the world, and wine producers from the four continents listen to its experts. The most prestigious awards are given here. And all for the sake of one thing – striving for high quality. Thanks to this, the competition has earned a reputation as the most professional and has long become a consumer’s guide in the world of high-quality winemaking. The first wine “world championship” Concours Mondial de Bruxelles was held in 1994. Then, in just two months, 869 brands from 29 countries were collected at a tasting in Bruges. But despite its original Brussels origin, since 2006, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles has been held in various wine regions in Europe in an outreach format.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY:
46 Parallel Wine Group is a Ukrainian company that creates wines of high European quality, worthy of being a visiting card of Ukraine on the world markets. The wines are produced exclusively from Ukrainian grapes, which are grown on the 46th parallel – in Kherson, Mykolaiv and Odesa regions. The company is represented by two brands: 46 Parallel and Apostrophe. Today the company is introducing a trend for high-quality Ukrainian wine, as evidenced by its digital orientation, expansion of export potential and recognition of world experts. Over a year and a half of its existence, 46 Parallel Wine Group has won almost 50 awards at domestic and international tasting competitions, including awards from the USA Wine Ratings, the Grand Gold Medal of Sélections Mondiales des Vins Canada, London Wine Competition 2021. The company’s wines are the winners of the All-Ukrainian tasting competitions: Odessa Wine & Spirit Awards 2021, the Wine Guide of Ukraine, Ukrainian Wine & Spirits Awards and others, and the El Capitan Rose wine is recognized as the best rose wine of Ukraine. All brands of the company are united by the slogan “Proudly Ukrainian,” which means we are proud of the quality and Ukrainian origin of our wines.
The company’s export markets are Canada, Nigeria, China, and the United Kingdom.
Details about the wines at the link:
Additional information:
Ischenko Olena,
PR manager of 46 Parallel Wine Group
Contact phone:
+380 50 315 76 10
e-mail: eischenko@46parallel.wine
https://46parallel.wine/shop/
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal notes that in the context of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic in the world there is serious competition between countries for personal protective equipment, medical equipment and even for doctors.
“In fact, we are faced with great competition between countries for personal protective means, equipment, even for human resources. Countries are competing even for doctors today,” he said in the Svoboda Slova Savika Shustera (Freedom of Speech of Savik Shuster) program on the air of Ukraine TV Channel on Friday night.
Shmyhal emphasized that the tense situation is now observed in many countries. There is the lack of drugs, masks, equipment.
Qatari company QTerminals has won the competition for the Olvia seaport concession.
“The second concession tender has been completed. QTerminals from Qatar has won the concession tender in the port of Olvia. UAH 3.4 billion will be invested in the development of the port over five years,” wrote Minister of Infrastructure Vladyslav Krykliy on Facebook.
At the same time, he noted that this is one of the largest foreign direct investment in the port industry in the entire history of Ukraine’s independence.
The supervisory board of Kyiv-based state bank Ukreximbank has announced a competition to select a candidate for the position of board chairman and hired international recruitment company Odgers Berndtson, the Finance Ministry of Ukraine reported on its website.
According to the statement, the supervisory board approved this decision on November 15. Applications from candidates will be accepted from November 18 until December 2, 2019. On December 3, the bank’s nomination and remuneration committee in cooperation with Odgers Berndtson will form a list of not more than 10 candidates admitted to the next stage of the competition. On December 4-6, interview with the candidates will be held after which three candidates will be admitted to the final stage of the competition.
On December 6, the final stage of the competition will be held.
A candidate for the position must have at least five years of experience in the financial sector in total, including at least three years on senior managerial positions as well as have impeccable business reputation.
As reported, on November 16, 2019, the Security Service of Ukraine acting in charge of the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine (PGO) detained Board Chairman of Ukreximbank Oleksandr Hrytsenko in the framework of a criminal proceeding on the grounds of committing crimes under Part 1 of Article 255 (creation of a criminal organization), Part 5 of Article 191 (misappropriation, embezzlement of property or possession by abuse of office), Part 3 of Article 209 (legalization (laundering) of proceeds of crime).
Pechersky District Court of Kyiv chose a measure of restraint to Hrytsenko in the form of a UAH 3 million bail without keeping in custody.
According to the PGO, Hrytsenko is under investigation into case No. 12013220540000400 dated January 31, 2013, for being a part of a criminal organization, created by former President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych and his companions in February 2010, and is charged with assistance in lifting seizures from deposits and collateral for a $160 million loan for the purchase of the Ukrainian Media Holding.
Hrytsenko was appointed as Board Chairman of Ukreximbank in August 2014.
Ukreximbank, the sole owner of which is the state, was created in 1992. According to the National Bank of Ukraine, as of October 1, 2019, in terms of total assets (UAH 205.439 billion), the bank was third among 76 banks operating in the country.
