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Author Topic: FSU Wines and Spirits  (Read 43976 times)

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Offline nicknick

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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #25 on: August 31, 2012, 03:24:30 AM »
Well that's a brief outline of just a few of the better Georgian alcoholic drinks that are available. There are lots more, including sparkling wines. If you haven't already tried some, I hope you do soon and that you find them as interesting and palatable as we do on a regular basis.


Enjoy!


It's always good to get some recommendations, thanks Chris.

Mendy has already gone into a lot of detail as well about Georgian wine but there are also some very good wine producing regions on the other side of the Caucasus mountains as well.

On the Russian side of the border there are the regions of Stavropol, Krasnodar and Dagestan.  I believe there is something around 70,000 hectares of vines in this area - about the same as the Bordeaux region in France.

As in all areas, there was good and bad wine, but the one thing that I remember very vividly is the quality of the brandy - the local brandies from Stavropol and Dagestan were really very nice.  Sorry, can't remember brand names.

It was also interesting to note that brandy drinking was much more widespread than in other parts of Russia that I've been to.  Elsewhere, if one were making a toast or otherwise having a drink then it would always be vodka.  In the south, as often as not, it would be with the local brandy rather than vodka.


Russian word for the day - коньяк konyak - the Russian word for brandy.

Offline Chris

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Re: FSU Wines and Spirits
« Reply #26 on: August 31, 2012, 04:52:00 AM »
Thanks nicknick, yes there are some very good areas over there that produce fine wines etc, I just happen to know more about Georgian as we tend to drink more of that  :-X following our introduction to their wines some 5+ years ago now. Whenever we are over in the FSU and dining out (and of course at home) we will try and obtain a good Georgian wine when we can and as I mentioned UT, have started drinking it here in the UK now aswell.

Please feel free to add to this anyone else who has recommendations or experience of other alcoholic beverages from anywhere in the FSU.
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Online AvHdB

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Re: FSU Wines and Spirits
« Reply #27 on: August 31, 2012, 05:13:50 PM »
Chris, With Juliia we drank a fair amount of Georgian wine - one of the labels I recognized. The rosé looks quite good ~ light and balanced ~ more a white.

The star system of the Cognac/Brandy is similiar to Metaxa the more stars the better the quality.

I have had wine from Moldavia very uneven but some had promise (mostly reds).

The Ukraine wine seems to come from a small region between Odessa and Nikolayev and most Ukraine folk avoid it. On the Krim a fair amount of sparkling wine is produced. This has occoured for perhaps a long time. The best known is Krim Art which is now partially owned by the German/Austrian sparkling producer Henckell Trocken. The last time I drank this faux champagne it was better than the first time (serious headache).

Further I know Armenia produces some good wine.

In Central Europe, there is wine from Croatia (mostly very good whites). Hungary famous for a sweet white called Tokaij. As well as a range of reds try the wine from the Kekosfranko grape variety (I think Blue Frankos) a sort of Pinot Noir; a grape comparable to Malbec, sort of unknown in France and balanced. Both Slovakia and Slovenia produce wine but I have no experience with these wines. The Czech region of Moravia is also big on wines and is also an ancient region.
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Offline cufflinks

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Re: FSU Wines and Spirits
« Reply #28 on: August 31, 2012, 07:04:30 PM »
Chris - Great thread  tiphat

Gives me an idea to poke around the NH State Liquor Store Wine Shop here in Nashua and see if there might not be some import opps ;)

Offline Manny

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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #29 on: September 01, 2012, 03:06:40 AM »
in the last twelve months we have now been able to buy these same wines through a specialist supplier here in the UK,

Can I ask who is supplying these in the UK?
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Offline Larry

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Re: FSU Wines and Spirits
« Reply #30 on: September 01, 2012, 04:34:30 AM »
Quote
Please feel free to add to this anyone else who has recommendations or experience of other alcoholic beverages from anywhere in the FSU.

I have a recommendation for another Hungarian wine, which, strictly speaking, doesn't come within the parameters of the topic: wines of the FSU.  But AvHdB has opened the door to Hungarian wines (below) , and because Hungary was part of the Soviet Bloc perhaps this wine can be located in FSU.

Quote
Hungary famous for a sweet white called Tokaij.

It is Badacsony Szurkebarat, or in English Greyfriar of Badacsony, from near Lake Balaton.  It's a light white wine with an interesting flavor, perfect for drinking in Summer.  I far prefer it to the light-bodied, never-aged-in-oak California Chardonnays or the French Pouilly-Fuisse.  It also has a very reasonable price: under $10.

Offline JayH

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Re: FSU Wines and Spirits
« Reply #31 on: September 01, 2012, 04:49:43 AM »
Ukraine produces some high quality wines that had a long history. Most of the quality wines are centred in Crimean region-- particularly from Yalta to Feodosiya  and on to Kerch at the top of the Sea of Azov.
Some famous names Massandra( distributed in UK for Manny!) Novy Svet,Inkerman,Koktebel,Magarch are some of the better known.
   I know Brass will scold me again for this!!-- but-- I  live in an area with many wineries -- both large and small boutique- and along with other local producers there is incredible variety-- and a very high quality. You tend to be spoiled -- and develop specific taste preferences and style in wines -- so tend to be a little picky.
  So-- I arrived in Crimea and immediately notice grape production being widespread on the Crimea( not confined to one are) but extensive around Sevastopol-- that got my curiousity going. Even more so when looking at some pretty fancy pricing in some restaurants of the local wines-- which I was determined to try.On that first trip and subsequently I have sampled many and seen the quality.My biggest problem is that I am not impressed with the price--often the cheapest wines here are way better  than overseas offerings. My quest was to find low cost and good quality-- it was not a problem. As in Italy the drinking reds tend to be light-- by my standards- but pleasant enough .
    When I am next there I will take more notice of the brands and see if I can do some real research!!

Offline simo82

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Re: FSU Wines and Spirits
« Reply #32 on: September 01, 2012, 07:20:05 AM »
There is a FSU Shop in Harrow, where all the locals go and it is reputed to have a very extensdive collection of wine........i will be going this sunday, so shall report back.......

Great Thread Chris, one that is very dear to my heart....hic!!!!  :ROFL: :ROFL:

Offline Chris

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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #33 on: September 01, 2012, 11:49:25 AM »
in the last twelve months we have now been able to buy these same wines through a specialist supplier here in the UK,

Can I ask who is supplying these in the UK?

Yes I deal with a chap called Chris Bowling - The Georgian Wine Society, based in Oxford, my last order with him was for these below, a good mix of whites and reds.

4 x Alazani Valley  Teliani Valley
2 x Rkatsiteli  Tbilvino
2 x Tsinandali – Teliani Valley
2 x Khvanchkara – Telavi
2 x Napareuli – Teliani
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Re: FSU Wines and Spirits
« Reply #34 on: September 01, 2012, 11:58:15 AM »
My guess the women mature better than the wine in Ukraine. I am confident Ukraine produces some good wine - I just have not tasted them

So off on another search I guess.
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Offline Larry

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Re: FSU Wines and Spirits
« Reply #35 on: September 01, 2012, 12:12:32 PM »
I just finished a glass of Georgian Saperavi red.  I wish I had seen Chris's post earlier and ordered the Alazani Valley red.

Offline Chris

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Re: FSU Wines and Spirits
« Reply #36 on: September 01, 2012, 12:31:52 PM »


Great Thread Chris, one that is very dear to my heart....hic!!!!  :ROFL: :ROFL:

Simo just for you, some of my Georgian wines, also Georgian Brandy and Ukrainian Cognacs etc.
 

Larry, notice the two Alazani Valleys, one red and one white, great stuff.







BTW you only get them in the traditional glass bottles here in the UK, all the others are imported from Ukraine.
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Offline Manny

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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #37 on: September 01, 2012, 04:21:01 PM »
in the last twelve months we have now been able to buy these same wines through a specialist supplier here in the UK,

Can I ask who is supplying these in the UK?

Chris, you might have missed that question as it was at the end of a page......

Not mythering, but genuinely interested.  :nod:
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Offline Chris

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Re: FSU Wines and Spirits
« Reply #38 on: September 02, 2012, 05:29:58 AM »
I answered it, reply No 33  :)
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Offline Manny

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Re: FSU Wines and Spirits
« Reply #39 on: September 02, 2012, 06:33:38 AM »
I answered it, reply No 33  :)

Cheers. How did I miss that.  :chuckle:
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Look what the American media makes some people believe:
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Offline Chris

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Re: FSU Wines and Spirits
« Reply #40 on: September 23, 2012, 11:47:41 AM »
We had a lovely bottle of Vazisubani tonight with our dinner. A really nice Georgian dry white wine.

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Offline Larry

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Re: FSU Wines and Spirits
« Reply #41 on: September 23, 2012, 12:00:37 PM »
Here is the last Georgian wine I tried:


Offline Chris

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Re: FSU Wines and Spirits
« Reply #42 on: September 23, 2012, 12:04:05 PM »
Pirosmani, red semi sweet, we have not tried that one.
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Offline Manny

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Re: FSU Wines and Spirits
« Reply #43 on: September 23, 2012, 06:59:10 PM »
If you have any nice dry Sauvignon Blanc/Pino Grigio type whites, and maybe a nice red in your stock, bung three or four in your car when you head to London. I'll pay you for them of course. I fancy trying some of this stuff, and you seem to know your eggs.
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Offline RG

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Re: FSU Wines and Spirits
« Reply #44 on: September 23, 2012, 08:50:01 PM »
Doing a quick search for the unique bottle, this remains one of my favorites.  The bottle isn't a 100% match, but very close so I'm assuming this is the one.


Offline Chris

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Re: FSU Wines and Spirits
« Reply #45 on: September 24, 2012, 12:53:04 AM »
If you have any nice dry Sauvignon Blanc/Pino Grigio type whites, and maybe a nice red in your stock, bung three or four in your car when you head to London. I'll pay you for them of course. I fancy trying some of this stuff, and you seem to know your eggs.

I would do, but we are coming by train, and running out of the Georgian wines, only have 2 or 3 bottles left now, will have to place another order soon I think. We could split a case if you want?

The one above we had last night is a really nice dry, I'm sure you would like it, but we got that from Ukraine, not sure if you can get it here or not, will have to enquire next time.
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Offline Isthmus

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Re: FSU Wines and Spirits
« Reply #46 on: September 24, 2012, 06:44:38 AM »
When in Ukraine in August I tried some Georgian reds for the first time and quite liked them. Kindzmarauli was very good in particular and I brought a bottle back with me to Australia, just need a special occasion to crack it open soon.

Liked the Inkerman (Ukrainian, Crimean) reds as well.

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Re: FSU Wines and Spirits
« Reply #47 on: February 24, 2015, 12:31:14 PM »
Bumping a thread from couple of years ago - great info on amazing Georgian wines! Thank you for putting it all together, Chris, i enjoyed reading it... Almost as much as i enjoy sipping on Georgian red, when i get the opportunity to do so ;)
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Offline GuppyCaptain

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Re: FSU Wines and Spirits
« Reply #48 on: February 24, 2015, 12:38:05 PM »
Georgian, Moldovan, and Romanian reds  :thumbsup:

Fantastic bang for the buck. I almost exclusively buy Romanian reds and in fact am running into NYC with my Russian friend on the 21st of March to restock followed by our favorite Greek restaurant in Astoria.

It's going to be a very "international" day  :)

Offline Chris

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Re: FSU Wines and Spirits
« Reply #49 on: February 24, 2015, 12:56:49 PM »
Bumping a thread from couple of years ago - great info on amazing Georgian wines! Thank you for putting it all together, Chris, i enjoyed reading it... Almost as much as i enjoy sipping on Georgian red, when i get the opportunity to do so ;)

Yes we still drink Georgian wines at home or if dining out in Ukraine, they take some beating.
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