What Russian champagne to choose? Reviews about Russian manufacturers of champagne

Many know that the real wine, called champagne, is produced in the French province of the same name from certain grape varieties using special technologies. However, sparkling wine, produced for several decades, first in the Soviet Union, and then in Russia, is not inferior to the original samples. This is confirmed by numerous international awards. Let's try to figure out how to choose the best Russian champagne for a festive banquet, the taste and quality of which is as close as possible to the original.

Original French technologies

If we discard those very specific grape varieties - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier - and consider only the technological process of production, we see that making original champagne is a very laborious process for which the technology of secondary fermentation in bottles is applicable. The entire process of bottle shampanization should take at least three years. It is this exclusive technology of French winemakers that guarantees excellent quality and incomparable taste of champagne.

Manufacture in large tanks

It would be absurd to imagine that for a big country like ours, champagne directly in bottles would not be replaced by advanced technologies. The bright minds of the Soviet Union in the middle of the last century opened and patented the technology of champagne in large tanks, and then the production of sparkling wine in a continuous reservoir way. The Soviet (Russian) champagne produced in this way was noted as the best model, not inferior to the classical analog. Moreover, many foreign manufacturers have adopted the experience of Soviet know-how.

Abundance of modern manufacturers

During the Soviet era, there was no problem with the choice of sparkling wine, because the range was very poor. The monopoly factory supplying store shelves for the holidays was a non-alternative option. And now, given that distilleries grow like mushrooms after a rain, it's no wonder and get confused, even if there are already some preferred brands. How to choose Russian champagne from the abundance of brands on the shelves and what you need to know before going to the supermarket?

We go to the store

Of the abundance of bottles presented on the shelves, we immediately reject the variants poured into a light container. Why? The dark glass of the bottle does not let light in and does not allow the sparkling wine to age, turn yellow and become bitter in taste. For example, we need Russian champagne semisweet. We will carefully study the marking. We know that there must be some sugar in the wine. However, the presence of citric acid, alcohol, dyes and flavors will cause the drink to quickly lose steam. And, of course, there is no question of any frothiness in this case. In addition, if we do not want to have a bad headache the next morning, we reject this option.

Russian champagne: authentic samples

Real domestic samples of sparkling wine necessarily undergo a cycle of natural fermentation. Cheaper drinks pass only the process of carbonation with the help of special apparatus. Determine this will also help reading the label on the label. We select the option if we see the inscription "Carbonated" or "Sparkling" wine.

Next, pay attention to the cork bottle. Many manufacturers clog the container with a plastic stopper. For example, the taste that has Russian champagne brut with a similar cork, will significantly give way to the taste of a similar drink, contained under a cork stopper. In this case, there is almost no getting inside the bottle of air, and there will never appear a characteristic sourness in taste. What can not be said about the clogging of sparkling wine with a plastic stopper.

Additional selection criteria

A sparkling wine of pink color by definition can not be considered champagne. Exceptionally, all the aforementioned grape varieties that go to produce the original beverage are white. As a consequence, the Russian consumer has received the greatest popularity with a drink such as Russian champagne, white and semisweet.

What else should we note? We avoid the capacious inscription "With the addition of fragrances". Naturally, every self-respecting manufacturer places his legal address on the label, and also indicates the way of producing sparkling wine.

Differences in price categories should not confuse the buyer. In case he orders a banquet and is not ready to spread an impressive amount for champagne alone, he only needs to pay close attention to the date of release of the drink. For budget options , the expiry date should not exceed 1 year from the date of manufacture. Expensive drinks become tastier with time, and it's better not to take risks with medium price categories.

And the last. To scare off a buyer should be too low a price. Here you need to estimate the cost in mind and immediately draw the appropriate conclusions. Also, we say our weighty "no" to bottles containing sediment and suspicious substances on the bottom.

Champagne Russian: reviews about producers

In fact, the preferences of the consumers of champagne fully coincide with the recognition of professional experts. So, the Petersburg producer - the company "Sparkling Wines" - produces the brand "Heritage of the Master Lev Golitsyn", which was repeatedly noted at various international competitions and took home gold and silver medals. It should be noted that the company was founded back in 1945.

Also an impressive story is the Moscow enterprise "Cornet", founded during the Great Patriotic War. The products are also marked with gold and silver medals, but in the consumer market it enjoys special respect and demand. If you consider all categories of sparkling wines, according to consumers, the most popular is Russian champagne brut, a white sparkling wine, traditionally containing the least amount of sugar. Many experts and connoisseurs of the drink believe that sugar can muffle the true taste of champagne. Moscow company offers all lovers of the original taste of "Cornet" brut.

Champagne category "economy"

"How?" - you ask. "Are there any good producers of inexpensive champagne?" It turns out there are. The Beslan company Istok has proved itself well, including among international experts. Southern traditions of wine production came at an opportune moment. Inexpensive and high-quality raw materials make production one of the most popular in its segment. The ratio of a relatively low price and excellent southern quality is very fond of buyers. Istok products are also highly honored.

Stamps that passed independent examination

Some brands of sparkling wines passed independent peer review. In addition to the above popular and well-proven manufacturers in the market, the examination was:

• Russian champagne "Crimean".
• Semi-dry champagne "Russian gold" Tolyatti company "Rosinka".
• The Vladikavkaz semisweet "Vintrest-7".
• Petersburg "Northern Venice".

Choose from the best

Now we have learned a lot about how a real sparkling wine is produced and which leading companies in the country supply excellent quality products to the market. We see forgery and poor-quality goods with the naked eye. And how to choose your own drink from obviously high-quality products?

So, look at the sugar content. To do this, you do not need to learn the metric tables or consider familiar letters on the label. We just need to understand that the minimum amount of sugar is Russian champagne white brut, and the maximum - any sweet or semisweet sparkling wine. In addition, dry and dry champagne is made exclusively by classical technology, but the high sugar content indicates an accelerated production method.

The final factor in choosing the ideal drink will be a dense cork stopper. Champagne of our dreams will not allow itself plastic on the vertex.

Domestic champagne for connoisseurs and gourmets

We also produce aged sparkling wines with a shelf life of at least 6 months after the completion of the champagne process. For true aesthetes and gourmets, collectible stamps with a maturity of at least three years from the day of the end of the champagne process are produced.

Alkali is the enemy of bubbles

Sometimes people who bought champagne of a quality brand wine are surprised at the absence of characteristic bubbles in the glass. They are indignant: is there really a fake under a well-known brand? In fact, you need to ask the housewives who are washing glasses before serving the festive table. What means do they use to wash the glasses? If using any alkaline solution when rinsing the dishes, it will not be possible to wash it off with simple water. The remains of alkali inside the glass are capable of giving a chemical reaction, and the bubbles will simply disappear.

In order that the joyful mood of the festive evening is additionally emphasized by playful bubbles, the glasses should be washed exclusively with water, and then dried after this in a natural way, without resorting to the help of napkins and towels. Another delicacy hastens to share the connoisseurs of good wines. Tall wine glasses for champagne have a fine leg for a reason. It is for the leg to keep the glass, in order to feel the integrity of perception and not to miss the volatile compounds.