On May 18, 2023, a unique wine evening “Consumer tasting of the best craft wines of Ukraine-2023” was held at the Kyiv analytical center “Experts Club”. The event presented the best wines of Ukraine according to the results of the VII All-Ukrainian Tasting Competition “Variety and Terroir. Micro winemaking. Unbreakable”.
The evening was special not only because of the unsurpassed range of wines but also because two winners in two competitions were determined.
Within the framework of the Consumer Tasting of the Best Craft Wines of Ukraine-2023 competition, the winner was the Merlot 2020 wine from TM NAROVYLO WINERY, and the winner of the Best Design of a Bottle of Craft Wine of Ukraine-2023 competition was the Pinot Noir 2020 wine from TM 46 Parallel. Both winners received certificates from the Experts Club .
“This evening gave us a unique opportunity to see, feel and, most importantly, taste the highest standard of Ukrainian winemaking. After all, most of the presented wine brands is yet on public sale,” said Natalia Blagopoluchna, President of the All-Ukrainian Association of Winemakers and Sommeliers.
In his turn, the founder of the Experts Club, Maksym Urakin, emphasized that it is extremely important to support and celebrate the winemaking achievements of Ukrainian craft producers.
“The winner of the competition, Merlot 2020 from NAROVYLO WINERY, demonstrates the highest quality of our national winemaking products, and the creative design of Pinot Noir 2020 from 46 Parallel shows that Ukrainian winemakers not only understand the true taste of wine, but also care about every detail, including the design of the bottle. This perfectly illustrates our passion for winemaking. In my opinion, Ukrainians should develop consumer patriotism, choosing products primarily from domestic producers, because they are no worse and often much better than imported ones,” emphasized Maxim Urakin.
The wine evening at the Experts Club was attended by many well-known personalities, including wine producers, restaurateurs, representatives of the retail industry, media community and others.
It should be noted that the wines that took part in the tasting were highly appreciated by all those present. They represent a variety of grape varieties and winemaking techniques used in Ukraine, including the innovative Orange, 2021 from TM Kovach Wine and Zagrei, 2022 from the National Scientific Center “Tairov Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking”.
The event also featured Ukrainian grappa, which has long been recognized as one of the most unique products in Ukrainian winemaking and has received recognition from experts in the country of origin of this drink – Italy.
The Consumer Tasting of the Best Craft Wines of Ukraine-2023 is an important event in the Ukrainian winemaking calendar, and this year it demonstrated the enormous potential of the Ukrainian wine industry despite the difficult times for our country. This event has once again confirmed that Ukraine has everything to produce high-quality wines that can compete in the global market.
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On May 18, 2023, the capital’s Club of Experts will host a bright event for wine lovers – Wine Evening “Consumer Tasting of the Best Craft Wines of Ukraine-2023”. The event will feature the products of the best Ukrainian winemakers based on the results of the VIII All-Ukrainian Tasting Competition “Variety and Terroir. Micro winemaking. Unbreakable”, which took place on April 1, 2023.
According to Natalia Blagopoluchna, President of the Ukrainian Association of Winemakers and Sommeliers, the Wine Evening will create an opportunity for each guest to try themselves as a wine expert and taster, gain rich experience and taste the unique flavors of the best Ukrainian wines.
“Wine Evening provides a great opportunity to discover the diversity of Ukrainian wine. You may already be familiar with some of these brands, but the tasting is a chance to taste them in a new light, compare them with other wines, listen to the experts’ opinions and gain new knowledge about winemaking,” she said.
In his turn, the founder of the Club of Experts, Maksim Urakin, emphasized that the Tasting Evening is an event where you can meet like-minded people, communicate with experts, exchange experience, ideas and impressions. It is a place where new business relationships and partnerships are created, new ideas and projects emerge.
“Our competition for the Best Wine of the Wine Evening is of great interest to the guests of the evening. The producer of the most delicious wine, determined by the participants of the event, will receive a Diploma from the Club of Experts. This competition not only raises the mood, but also creates friendly competition between producers, encouraging them to continuously improve,” he emphasized.
In addition, according to Maksim Urakin, today more and more people in the world are showing interest in craft wines and want to learn more about the history and technology of this beverage. Events such as the Wine Evening are becoming important and necessary, they help to develop wine culture, open new horizons for winemakers and consumers, and make a huge contribution to the formation of the Ukrainian wine market.
Guests will be invited to taste the winning wines accompanied by craft gastronomy. The program of the evening includes the best sparkling rosé wine of 2021 from TM My Wine and Eduard Gorodetsky, the best Riesling of 2021 from Vladimir Simakin, Chardonnay of 2022 from TM Babchuk Winery, and many others. Full list of winners of the VIII All-Ukrainian Tasting Competition “Variety and Terroir. Micro winemaking. Unbreakable”:
1. Nomination “Sparkling wines” – “Sparkling pink, 2021”, TM “My Wine”, Eduard Gorodetsky
2. Nomination “Best Riesling” – “Riesling, 2021”, Vladimir Simakin
3. Nomination “Best Chardonnay” – “Chardonnay, 2022”, TM “Babchuk Winery”
4. Nomination “White Local Variety” – “Zagrei, 2022”, National Scientific Center “V.E. Tairov Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking
5. Nomination “Orange wines” – “Orange, 2021”, TM “Kovacs Wines”
6. Nomination “Pink wines” – Pinot Noir, 2021″, TM “My Wine”, Eduard Gorodetsky
7. Nomination “Best Pinot Noir” – “Pinot Noir, 2020”, TM “46 Parallel” – gold medal
8. Nomination “Best Merlot” – “Merlot, 2020”, TM “NAROVYLO WINERY”
9. Nomination “Best Cabernet Sauvignon” – “Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021”, TM “Mon Crafto”
10. Nomination “Red local variety” – “Aliberne, 2020”, TM “NAROVYLO WINERY”
11. Nomination “Red Blend” – “KS/KF/Merlot, 2020”, TM “NAROVYLO WINERY” – Grand Prix of the Competition (the best wine of the Competition), 100 points from the Chairman of the Jury Ricardo Nunez!
12. Nomination “Dessert wines” – “Muscat of the Carpathians, 2014”, TM “Kovach Wines”
It should be noted that each nomination represents unique wines that have been recognized as the best in their categories.
The cost of participation in the event is 1000 UAH, which includes tasting of all presented wines and delicious culinary accompaniments from craft chefs. This event will be a real treat for gourmets and wine lovers, as well as a great opportunity for winemakers to present their products to a wide range of professionals and wine connoisseurs.
The organizers of the Wine Evening are:
1. Ukrainian Association of Winemakers and Sommeliers;
2. Club of experts.
Information Partners: Interfax-Ukraine news agency; Open4business Internet portal.
General partner: UKRSADVINPROM.
Speaker of the Wine Evening: President of the Ukrainian Association of Winemakers and Sommeliers, wine expert, head of the First Sommelier School in Ukraine – Natalia Blagopoluchna.
Address of the event: 51/1a Tyutyunnyk St., Kyiv, Ukraine
Phone number for accreditation 0661480354
Do not miss the unique opportunity to join the Wine Evening “Consumer tasting of the best craft wines of Ukraine-2023”. For those who appreciate the culture of wine, this is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of winemaking, meet those who share your passion, and discover new horizons of taste.
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On May 12, 2023, within the framework of the VINNYTSIA WINE DAYS program
A special tasting competition “Best Odesa Black 2023” dedicated to the popularization of the local grape variety “Odesa Black”.
The 2023 competition is a continuation of the Best Riedel glass for Odesa Black variety project, which helped to determine the optimal glass for the local wine Odesa Black using the RIEDEL methodology of sensory analysis and the author’s methodology. This glass will be used at the competition in 2023.
More than 40 producers in Ukraine produce wine from the Odesa Black grape variety, and we invite everyone to take part in this unique project.
The Best Odesa Black tasting competition is aimed at promoting the “Ukrainian wine” brand, shaping the image of Odesa Black wine as a business card of Ukrainian winemaking in the world – similar to Saperavi (Georgia), Fetiască (Moldova), Malbec (Argentina), Carmenere (Chile), Shiraz (Australia), etc.
The expert committee consists of winemakers, sommeliers, representatives of HoReCa, retail and other specialists.
The competition is held in accordance with the Rules of International Competitions developed by O.I.V. in the conditions of the educational and scientific laboratory of sensory analysis of ONTU.
Competitive selection of wines, tasting. Determination of the best wine Odesa Black.
AWARDS OF THE COMPETITION. The winners of the competition are the participants who received the highest score in the Grand Prix, gold and silver medal categories. The awarding ceremony for the winner and participants of The Best Odesa Black 2023 project (with the invitation of the press and the public) will be held on May 27 as part of Vinnytsia Wine Days.
With the support of UKRSADVINPROM
General information partner of the media group “Drinks +”
VENUE: Educational and Scientific Laboratory of Sensory Analysis of ONTU Ukraine, Odesa, 112 Kanatna St., room B-302
TIME OF THE EVENT: 11.00-14.00
CONTACTS: NNLSA: Natalia Kameneva tel.: +38(067)-922-11-71 E-mail: lsa.onaft@gmail.com
Interfax-Ukraine, open4business is a media partner
Director General of the International Organization of Vine and Wine Industry (IOVI) Pau Roca thanked representatives of the Ukrainian wine industry for the work done to restore Ukraine’s membership in this international structure.
“In this difficult time that Ukraine is going through and in this difficult situation, we focus on the promotion of Ukrainian winemaking in the world. The fact that Ukraine joined our interstate organization is a very important step at this very period. This step will bring results in the near future”, – stressed the Head of IGOV at a press conference in the news agency Interfax Ukraine.
In turn, the Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Markiyan Dmytrosevych also noted the importance of Ukraine’s membership in IGOV, as this organization currently unites 85% of the world’s specialists in the field of viticulture and winemaking, as well as represents the interests of 80% of consumers.
“The International Organization of Winegrowing and Winemaking is primarily a platform for the exchange of experiences in the promotion of wine products. Membership in IGOV and work in its committees will give Ukraine the opportunity to be aware of all the changes and directions of development of the industry, which, in turn, is important in the context of European integration of our country, “- said Dmitrasevich.
Speaking about the consequences of war for the sector, the Deputy Minister said that, according to the estimates of the World Bank and experts of the Institute of International Economics, the cost of destroyed, stolen, damaged property in the agricultural sector is $8 billion. With the rest of the indirect losses – lost profits, unfulfilled contracts – the total damage from military action reaches 40 billion UAH.
“If perennial plantations are destroyed, it will take years to recover. After the human losses such losses are the most painful for us and for the industry”, – he stressed.
In addition, M. Dmitrasevich recalled the possibility of attracting state grant program for the establishment of new vineyards.
The head of the public association “Ukrsadvinprom” Volodymyr Pechko noted that in 2021 in Ukraine officially there were about 266 industrial producers of grapes and wine, 125 winegrowing enterprises, 29 small producers of grapes and wine products.
“About the figures, to process each hectare involved 33 employees on a permanent basis, each enterprise employed an average of 250 people. Thus, the employment rate in viticulture and horticulture in Ukraine is one of the highest compared to other industries,” stressed the industry representative.
Pechko also thanked the Ministry of Agrarian Policy for implementing an industry support program and providing grants to winemakers in both 2021 and 2022.
“The state’s support of planting vineyards even in this difficult time will allow not only to preserve the industry in the future, but also to expand vineyard planting areas,” he said.
According to the moderator of the press conference and the deputy head of the public association “Ukrsadvinprom” Maxim Urakin, in the current realities it is extremely important to extend the status of winemaking to all regions of Ukraine.
“Granting the status of winemaking regions to all regions of Ukraine without exception is especially relevant in connection with the displacement of viticulture in the central and western regions of the country, where dozens of winemakers are already working effectively; the status of winemaking region will allow winemakers to claim assistance, technology, benefits,” – said Urakin.
According to the deputy head of “Ukrsadvinprom” on international relations Natalia Burlachenko, the main purpose of the renewal of membership in the IOVV is the popularization of the Ukrainian product.
“First of all, we want to show what heights and quality Ukraine has achieved, despite the realities in which we live. This is an important platform to sound to the world. It is an opportunity not only virtually but also offline to communicate with foreign colleagues and show that Ukrainian wine exists, exists and will become more competitive in the future,” she said.
Ricardo Nuñez, owner of the Vinos de La Luz wine company and investor in Ukrainian winemaking, stressed that Ukraine needs a state program for the development of winemaking to bring the industry to a new level of development after the war.
“In February 2022 the dynamic development of the wine industry in Ukraine came to a halt. Many Ukrainians, including those involved in winemaking, left their homes. But they will return with the knowledge and experience gained outside the country. They must be prepared for new opportunities”, the winemaker said.
Ricardo Nunez presented the novelty of the season – a red dry wine Big Wines Big Art, which was produced from the grapes of Odessa black vintage 2020 grown in the Rhenia district of the Odessa region. The first batch of 1,000 bottles was produced at the facility in the Kyiv region. A well-known artist Ivan Marchuk was involved in the work on the new Ukrainian wine, who provided his painting “Awakening” symbolizing the revival of Ukrainian winemaking after the war, said Ricardo Nuñez.
Speaking about the future recovery of the industry the winemaker reminded that development always begins with the emergence of many small producers who become the basis for the creation of large enterprises.
“I am the first investor in the winegrowing and winemaking industry in Ukraine during the war. I am working on wine production right now. My task is to teach Ukrainians to drink their own wine. Then the country will have a great and great industry,” he said.
Representatives of Ukrsadvinprom handed over the flag of the International Organization of Vine and Wine Making to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine.
The International Organization of Vine and Wine (IOVV) is the successor of the International Bureau of Vine and Wine, which existed from 1924 to 2001 and today unites 49 countries. It is this organization that develops the standards of world winemaking. IOVW consists of four committees – viticulture, enology, economics and law, safety and health. Ukraine will be represented in the international organization by a delegation, which consists of representatives of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, the Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking named after Tarov. Ukraine will be represented by a delegation consisting of representatives of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and the Winemaking Institute named after Tairov, members of “Ukrsadvynprom”.
The Vinos de La Luz Group has wineries in Old and New World wine-growing regions, in particular, in Spain, Italy, Argentina and the USA, where it produces wines under the Vinos de La Luz brand.
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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.
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Last year thanks to the efforts of the association Ukrsadvindindprom and some Ukrainian wine producers, Ukraine after a 14-year break regained its membership in the International Organization of Vine and Wine (IOVW, International Organization of Vine and Wine).
On the 9-10th of March 2023 in France the General Assembly of IOVW took place, in which the representative from Ukraine, the head of the Public Association “The Association of Gardens, Winegrowers and Wine-makers of Ukraine” Volodymyr Pechko took part.
International Organization of Winegrowing and Winemaking is an intergovernmental organization, established according to the Treaty of April 3rd, 2001. IOVW is successor of the Intergovernmental Organisation – International Bureau of Vine and Wine (BIVW), set up according to an agreement of eight countries (France, Spain, Tunisia, Portugal, Hungary, Luxembourg, Greece and Italy) in Paris on November 29, 1924.
The organization provides recommendations to the wine-growing and wine-making industries, which are adopted by the European Community, thus emphasizing the influence of the IOWAV on the regulation and trade processes (EU countries produce about 70% of the world’s wine).
The organization’s main objectives are:
– The health benefits and quality of wine;
– protection of interests of the wine industry and creation of favorable market conditions;
– harmonization of standards and compliance of analysis methods;
– protection of geographical indications;
– guarantee of purity and origin of products;
– combating fraud and unfair competition.
Currently, Ukrainian scientists, including representatives of the scientific center “Tairov Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking” actively work in the committees of the IOVV NAAS of Ukraine.
According to IOVW, there are 47 countries in the world today that produce wine on an industrial scale. However, not all of these countries have individual states or regions that are specifically designated as wine producing. The top five largest wine-producing states include Italy, France, Spain, the United States and Argentina. These five countries account for more than half of the world’s wine production. It is worth noting that the ranking can change from year to year depending on factors such as weather conditions, yields and demand.
“According to historical data, until 1991, Ukraine was one of the largest wine-producing regions of Europe. At the same time, Ukrainian winemaking was integrated into the Soviet wine industry along with Georgia and Moldova. In the late 1980s, wine production in Ukraine peaked at about 120 million decaliters per year, which was about one-third of total wine production in the Soviet Union. By comparison, production in 2020 was about 35 million decaliters,” explained Volodymyr Pechko, head of the Ukrsadvinprom association.
He also reminded that in the first years of independence, huge wineries became uncompetitive and lost the market, which led to a crisis of the entire industry.
“In recent years, winemaking began to revive largely due to small wineries and wine tourism in our country. But everyone is now hamstrung by war, so the way out for all of us is to find new markets for our products,” Pechko stressed.
As of February 1, 2022, the total area of vine plantations in Ukraine by all categories of farms amounted to 34.0 thousand hectares, gross harvest of grapes – 257.5 thousand tons. However, after the outbreak of hostilities, almost a quarter of the area under vineyards are temporarily occupied or are in the war zone.
In turn, the deputy head of the association “Ukrsadvinprom” Maksim Urakin noted that Ukraine can produce and export a much larger volume of wine than today.
“In January 2023, Ukraine produced 422 thousand decaliters of wine, with about 328 thousand decaliters sold on the domestic market during the same period. And taking into account the fact that during winter months the production level is lower due to seasonal factor, the export potential of Ukrainian winemaking remains significant”, – said Urakin.
According to the expert, finding partners and entering new markets is not an easy thing to do as there is fierce competition in this segment.
“Most of the major wine producing countries support their producers and encourage them to export. Ukraine will not be able to establish itself as a major winemaking country without systematic government support for domestic producers and without the search for new markets and participation in exhibitions, forums and conferences. Situationally, the industry may also be helped by the fact that because of the hostilities, millions of our citizens were forced to go abroad, where they became local consumers. Including through them we can increase the export of our goods, including wine”, – says Urakin.
This year, representatives of Ukrsadvinprom association and leading Ukrainian winemakers are taking part in ProWein international exhibition on behalf of Ukraine.
This year the exhibition will take place from March 19 to 21. Ukrainian stand will feature products of 10 winemakers under the common brand Wines of Ukraine:
1. Beykush Winery (Nikolaev region)
2. Father’s Wine VB (Ternopil region)
3. Prince Trubetskoy Winery (Kherson region)
4. Chateau Chizay (Transcarpathian region)
5. Stakhovsky Wines (Transcarpathian region)
6. Biologist Craft Winery (Kyiv region)
7. Colonist Winery (Odessa region / Southern Bessarabia)
8. Villa Tinta (Odessa region / Southern Bessarabia)
9. My Wine by Eduard Gorodetsky (Odessa region)
10. 46 Parallel Wine Group (Odessa region).
International exhibition ProWein is one of the largest and most important wine and spirits exhibitions in the world, which is held annually in Dusseldorf, Germany. The event attracts thousands of exhibitors and visitors from all over the world, including wineries, wine merchants, sommeliers and industry professionals. ProWein is hosted by Messe Düsseldorf, the leading organizer of international trade fairs, and usually takes place over three days in March. A wide range of products, including wines, spirits, beer and soft drinks, as well as accessories such as glassware and wine storage solutions, are on display.
One of the key features of ProWein is an extensive program of seminars, tastings and master classes designed to showcase the latest trends and developments in the wine and spirits industry. These events are led by experts from around the world and cover a wide range of topics, from viticulture and winemaking to marketing and sales.
Interfax-Ukraine – information partner of the events
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