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Crimean Winemakers Look to Shed the Rot Gut Label Crimean Winemakers Look to Shed the Rot Gut Label
(about 13 hours later)
SEVASTOPOL, Crimea — In Soviet times, Crimean winemakers did not trouble themselves much with quality. It was all about quantity.SEVASTOPOL, Crimea — In Soviet times, Crimean winemakers did not trouble themselves much with quality. It was all about quantity.
“They had to make a lot of cheap wine to fulfill the demand in a huge country,” said Oleg Repin, who owns a vineyard near the port of Sevastopol.“They had to make a lot of cheap wine to fulfill the demand in a huge country,” said Oleg Repin, who owns a vineyard near the port of Sevastopol.
These days, though, Mr. Repin is one of a small fraternity of pioneers hoping to establish a center for boutique vineyards producing fine wines.These days, though, Mr. Repin is one of a small fraternity of pioneers hoping to establish a center for boutique vineyards producing fine wines.
Pavel Shvets, the founder of Uppa Winery and the driving force behind the idea of developing a Sevastopol appellation, is another.Pavel Shvets, the founder of Uppa Winery and the driving force behind the idea of developing a Sevastopol appellation, is another.
“There was no history here of producing good quality wine,” Mr. Shvets said. “We are trying to create a new system, a new philosophy of wine making.”“There was no history here of producing good quality wine,” Mr. Shvets said. “We are trying to create a new system, a new philosophy of wine making.”
Their prospects were gliding along like a silky cabernet until the Kremlin decided to grab Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, prompting Western economic sanctions designed to isolate the Black Sea peninsula.Their prospects were gliding along like a silky cabernet until the Kremlin decided to grab Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, prompting Western economic sanctions designed to isolate the Black Sea peninsula.
That forced the nascent industry to navigate new, unforeseen shoals. Perhaps most challenging, prospective sales were suddenly focused on just one country, Russia, where wine was long viewed as an effete tipple and vastly inferior to the manly beverages of choice — vodka and beer.That forced the nascent industry to navigate new, unforeseen shoals. Perhaps most challenging, prospective sales were suddenly focused on just one country, Russia, where wine was long viewed as an effete tipple and vastly inferior to the manly beverages of choice — vodka and beer.
“When I started to work as a sommelier, people did not know what the word meant; they only drank vodka and beer,” said Mr. Shvets, who spent 15 years working as a sommelier and restaurateur in Moscow before planting his first vineyard in 2008. “Then they started to drink a little wine, and every year the amount of good wine that Russians drink increases.”“When I started to work as a sommelier, people did not know what the word meant; they only drank vodka and beer,” said Mr. Shvets, who spent 15 years working as a sommelier and restaurateur in Moscow before planting his first vineyard in 2008. “Then they started to drink a little wine, and every year the amount of good wine that Russians drink increases.”
Vintners are taking the long view. They figure that Sevastopol needs at least another decade to develop as a distinctive wine-producing region. The winemakers are still experimenting with which grape will produce the best wine for their appellation.Vintners are taking the long view. They figure that Sevastopol needs at least another decade to develop as a distinctive wine-producing region. The winemakers are still experimenting with which grape will produce the best wine for their appellation.
Mr. Shvets, for example, has planted 12 varieties on his 17 acres under cultivation. So far, pinot noir has produced the best red wine, and riesling and chardonnay the best whites, but a decision is still years away, he said.Mr. Shvets, for example, has planted 12 varieties on his 17 acres under cultivation. So far, pinot noir has produced the best red wine, and riesling and chardonnay the best whites, but a decision is still years away, he said.
Overall wine consumption goes up about 5 percent annually in Russia, Mr. Shvets said, with Russians now drinking one billion liters a year. Yet, Russia cultivates only about 160,000 acres of vineyards, compared with twice that in Bordeaux alone, he noted, and Russian consumers still equate good wine with France or Italy.Overall wine consumption goes up about 5 percent annually in Russia, Mr. Shvets said, with Russians now drinking one billion liters a year. Yet, Russia cultivates only about 160,000 acres of vineyards, compared with twice that in Bordeaux alone, he noted, and Russian consumers still equate good wine with France or Italy.
“Russian wine is not very popular because people don’t know anything about it,” Mr. Shvets said. “They do not understand that it is possible to produce good wine in Russia.”“Russian wine is not very popular because people don’t know anything about it,” Mr. Shvets said. “They do not understand that it is possible to produce good wine in Russia.”
The giant Soviet wineries did not entirely ignore the idea of creating a distinctive brand, but they did it with a certain twist. One collective farm on the outskirts of Sevastopol, for example, added a soupçon of Bolshevik fervor to its sparkling wine by renaming its vineyards after Sophie Perovski, the young woman hanged for assassinating Czar Alexander II.The giant Soviet wineries did not entirely ignore the idea of creating a distinctive brand, but they did it with a certain twist. One collective farm on the outskirts of Sevastopol, for example, added a soupçon of Bolshevik fervor to its sparkling wine by renaming its vineyards after Sophie Perovski, the young woman hanged for assassinating Czar Alexander II.
Her family, titled nobility, once owned the estate, and the wines made there today still carry the name “Perovski Estate Winery.”Her family, titled nobility, once owned the estate, and the wines made there today still carry the name “Perovski Estate Winery.”
Things muddled along pretty much the same when Crimea was part of an independent Ukraine after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, but the 2014 annexation dealt another blow to quality.Things muddled along pretty much the same when Crimea was part of an independent Ukraine after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, but the 2014 annexation dealt another blow to quality.
Seizing Crimea spurred patriotic fervor across Russia, prompting a run on Crimean wine. Some unscrupulous businessmen, sensing an opportunity for windfall profits, slapped “Bottled in Crimea” labels on any old plonk, some even imported from abroad.Seizing Crimea spurred patriotic fervor across Russia, prompting a run on Crimean wine. Some unscrupulous businessmen, sensing an opportunity for windfall profits, slapped “Bottled in Crimea” labels on any old plonk, some even imported from abroad.
Once the novelty (and the nasty hangovers) wore off, sales of Crimean wine nose-dived.Once the novelty (and the nasty hangovers) wore off, sales of Crimean wine nose-dived.
That was hardly the only fallout from the annexation.That was hardly the only fallout from the annexation.
Mr. Repin, 43, produces just 15,000 bottles of wine a year from his five acres. He just bought 15 more, and envisions a small hotel that would foster tourism.Mr. Repin, 43, produces just 15,000 bottles of wine a year from his five acres. He just bought 15 more, and envisions a small hotel that would foster tourism.
To accomplish that, he would like to borrow the equivalent of about $675,000, but mainstream Russian banks have avoided Crimea out of fear of sanctions and the local ones charge a prohibitive 20 percent interest rate.To accomplish that, he would like to borrow the equivalent of about $675,000, but mainstream Russian banks have avoided Crimea out of fear of sanctions and the local ones charge a prohibitive 20 percent interest rate.
With some European equipment suppliers cutting off sales because of the sanctions, wineries resort to false shipping labels or other sleights of hand to obscure the actual destination of the goods. At the Perovski Estate Winery, for example, four, large shiny new Bulgarian fermentation vats gurgle away behind a chicken wire fence. A sign hanging on the fence reads: “Customs Control Zone.”With some European equipment suppliers cutting off sales because of the sanctions, wineries resort to false shipping labels or other sleights of hand to obscure the actual destination of the goods. At the Perovski Estate Winery, for example, four, large shiny new Bulgarian fermentation vats gurgle away behind a chicken wire fence. A sign hanging on the fence reads: “Customs Control Zone.”
“Technically, they have not yet entered Crimea,” said Aleksandr Sokolov, the chief technologist, shrugging. “We have to work.”“Technically, they have not yet entered Crimea,” said Aleksandr Sokolov, the chief technologist, shrugging. “We have to work.”
Tourism remains a question mark. Crimea is hard to reach for non-Russians if they respect a Ukrainian law requiring visitors to acquire a permit and enter from its territory. Direct air and rail links have all been severed, and Russian border guards can subject foreigners to lengthy questioning about their plans and thoughts about Russian policy.Tourism remains a question mark. Crimea is hard to reach for non-Russians if they respect a Ukrainian law requiring visitors to acquire a permit and enter from its territory. Direct air and rail links have all been severed, and Russian border guards can subject foreigners to lengthy questioning about their plans and thoughts about Russian policy.
Russian visitors do not face the same scrutiny, but have been put off by the low level of services and the expense compared with popular holiday destinations like Turkey.Russian visitors do not face the same scrutiny, but have been put off by the low level of services and the expense compared with popular holiday destinations like Turkey.
Still, Mr. Shvets has convinced the government of Sevastopol that they have time and terroir on their side. The terroir, the combination of soil and climate where wine is produced, matches that of Burgundy, he said, with warm days and cool nights. Still, Mr. Shvets has convinced the government of Sevastopol that time and terroir are on its side. The terroir, the combination of soil and climate where wine is produced, matches that of Burgundy, he said, with warm days and cool nights.
Mr. Shvets is such a compelling salesman that one businessman guiding a group of Chinese tour operators around the vineyards later told friends, “You should drink his wine with your ears.”Mr. Shvets is such a compelling salesman that one businessman guiding a group of Chinese tour operators around the vineyards later told friends, “You should drink his wine with your ears.”
Born in Sevastopol, Mr. Shvets, 39, said one of his earliest childhood memories was a visit to Massandra, the former winery of the czars. In Moscow, he became the sommelier at some of the most exclusive restaurants. He also curated wine cellars for various Russian oligarchs, amassing the nest egg needed to acquire some 40 acres in Crimea.Born in Sevastopol, Mr. Shvets, 39, said one of his earliest childhood memories was a visit to Massandra, the former winery of the czars. In Moscow, he became the sommelier at some of the most exclusive restaurants. He also curated wine cellars for various Russian oligarchs, amassing the nest egg needed to acquire some 40 acres in Crimea.
Sevastopol is a special federal district, and its government, desperate to diversify the economy from its dependence on Russia’s Black Sea fleet, latched onto Mr. Shvets’s vision of creating some 200 boutique wineries.Sevastopol is a special federal district, and its government, desperate to diversify the economy from its dependence on Russia’s Black Sea fleet, latched onto Mr. Shvets’s vision of creating some 200 boutique wineries.
There are less than 30 now, and just about half the roughly 37,000 acres suitable for growing grapes in the region are being cultivated. So the local authorities have started offering subsidies to those who commit to growing grapes.There are less than 30 now, and just about half the roughly 37,000 acres suitable for growing grapes in the region are being cultivated. So the local authorities have started offering subsidies to those who commit to growing grapes.
Mr. Shvets’s stunning vineyard, about a 45-minute drive from downtown Sevastopol, sits in verdant hills more than 1,500 feet above sea level. Named Uppa after the Tartar name for a local river, it produces just 50,000 bottles annually of what he called — in a kind of repeat mantra — “high quality, fresh, elegant wine.”Mr. Shvets’s stunning vineyard, about a 45-minute drive from downtown Sevastopol, sits in verdant hills more than 1,500 feet above sea level. Named Uppa after the Tartar name for a local river, it produces just 50,000 bottles annually of what he called — in a kind of repeat mantra — “high quality, fresh, elegant wine.”
Mr. Shvets evokes the days in the 5th century B.C. when Greek settlements around Sevastopol shipped wine to the Black Sea and the entire Mediterranean. Mr. Shvets evokes the days in the fifth century B.C. when Greek settlements around Sevastopol shipped wine to the Black Sea and the entire Mediterranean.
Growing demand within Russia will provide enough revenue, but otherwise sanctions have clouded that vision. At a wine trade show in Italy recently, the police shuttered the booth of the one Crimean winery present, as imports are banned.Growing demand within Russia will provide enough revenue, but otherwise sanctions have clouded that vision. At a wine trade show in Italy recently, the police shuttered the booth of the one Crimean winery present, as imports are banned.
“It is a problem,” Mr. Shvets said. “It is not an issue of money, it is not being part of the big winemaking family of the world.”“It is a problem,” Mr. Shvets said. “It is not an issue of money, it is not being part of the big winemaking family of the world.”