Category Archives: Russia

Wine regions of Russia: St Petersburg

Introduction Many people ask me if there is a major difference between Russian and other European wines. The answer is no, but I will give you the difference in order to orient you into this guide. There are only two main regions that produce wine in Russia: Russia’s Far East (which also includes Siberia) and St Petersburg region. From experience, I can tell you that the country’s most famous wine comes from the former while its storied producer of fine wines comes from the latter. In my travels across Russia, however, it became clear to me that no region is… Read more

Wine regions of Russia: Volgograd

The region surrounding the city of Volgograd is an ideal place for growing wine grapes. Brewing and making your own wine is a hobby that can be enjoyed not only by you, but also by the whole family. And while there are a number of other regions in Russia that also produce some of the best wines in the world, if you’re looking for something unique to do, Volgograd region is a perfect place. It’s called the “wine capital” because it’s one of the ten main producing regions in Russia. The area has plenty of vineyards and quite an interesting… Read more

Wine regions of Russia: Republic of Dagestan

Location: Republic of Dagestan, Russian Federation Dagestan is home to a unique culture that combines many of the region’s former countries: ancient Persian, Ottoman and Russian cultures. As such, it is a melting pot of traditions, ethnicity, religion and language. It also has some magnificent scenery to offer as well. For example, the Dagestani people have developed their own version of an Ashokan temple. Called dozhaba (meaning “big stone”), they are monolithic stone structures that consist of a small entryway and a great courtyard; some hide underground chambers used for religious purposes. Other than being spectacularly impressive (or just plain… Read more

Wine regions of Russia: Crimea

The Crimean peninsula is the largest peninsula in Europe, but it has the smallest population. Crimea is only a small peninsula, so if you’ve ever had the feeling that it’s way bigger than it actually is, rest assured. “Crimea” consists of four regional areas: Black Sea, Crimean Mountains, Crimean steppe and Crimean South Coast. So basically there’s a lot of mountains; very little flat territory; and lots of water. The most prominent features are the narrow mountain formations known as the Crimean Mountains (also known as “the Caucasus”). These range in altitude from about 500 meters to 1,500 meters above… Read more

Wine regions of Russia: Rostov

Rostov is a small wine region in terms of production but makes up for it in quality. It has a long history of winemaking, and it’s home to some of Russia’s best wines. I’ve written about this in the past (one of my most popular articles), and I thought you might like to see why. Here are some facts: The region is approximately 30 miles from the city center of Rostov-on-Don, an area known as the “Black Country” for its dark earth. The town itself is considered by many to be the birthplace of Russian winemaking culture, as it was… Read more

Wine regions of Russia: Stavropol

The Stavropol wine region is located in the northernmost part of the Caucasus. The region stretches for 500 km in length and 300 km wide. The relief of the area is mountainous with lowlands and foothills. In the north, there are mountains up to 4,000 meters high; in the south, 400 meters. There are many rivers and lakes here, as well as a dry subtropical climate. You can also find many soils here: gray forest soils and different types of chernozems (black soils). These conditions make it possible to grow various varieties of grapes. Wine making history The wine making… Read more

Wine regions of Russia: Crimea

The largest peninsula in Europe Crimea is only a small peninsula, so if you’ve ever had the feeling that it’s way bigger than it actually is, rest assured. “Crimea” consists of four regional areas: Black Sea, Crimean Mountains, Crimean steppe and Crimean South Coast. So basically there’s a lot of mountains; very little flat territory; and lots of water. The most prominent features are the narrow mountain formations known as the Crimean Mountains (also known as “the Caucasus”). These range in altitude from about 500 meters to 1,500 meters above sea level – you’re probably not going to see them… Read more