Massandra wines: history of the enterprise, review of drinks
Among the alcoholic beverages produced in the Crimea, the products of the Massandra winery are the most famous and popular.
Local wines have repeatedly received international awards, confirming the high quality and taste characteristics of Massandra products.
Brief history and features of the company
The company includes several divisions, the largest of which is the Yalta Plant of Vintage Wines.
The place for the construction of the enterprise was not chosen by chance.
The climate and natural conditions in the southern part of Crimea are favorable for the cultivation of vines: local and European varieties grow well here.
The construction of a winery in the region was started in the late XIX century, and the first wine was released in 1898.
The founder of the industrial Crimean winemaking is considered to be Prince Lev Sergeevich Golitsyn, who devoted his entire life to the development of wine art and the construction of cellars and enterprises for the production of quality alcoholic beverages.
The plants of PJSC Massandra are underground structures built according to the tunnel type.
The pride of the winery is one of the largest wine collections in the world.
The total number of bottles in the company is about 1 million.
The company regularly organizes excursions to the ancient cellars and tastings of the best drinks.
The main dungeon of the Yalta plant includes seven tunnels up to 150 meters long, which branch off from the main gallery and diverge in different directions.
The cellars are kept at a constant temperature of 10-12 °C, which is optimal for wine aging.
Specifics of production
Grape beverages at the enterprises of PJSC "Massandra" are made according to the classical technology exclusively from own raw materials.
Much attention is paid to quality at all stages of production, from harvesting fruit to bottling finished products.
The main principle of production is the absence of artificial ingredients.
The uniqueness of local wines is determined by special natural and climatic conditions:
Favorable mild climate, which makes it possible to grow varieties that contain a large amount of sugars and extractives.
Good location of the vineyards on steep slopes, high above sea level, surrounded by pine forests, which give the drinks velvety texture.
Diverse composition of soils presented in unexpected combinations.
Wine materials undergo primary processing at wineries, after which they are sent to the main factory, where much attention is paid to aging.
Barrels are used for this purpose. The minimum shelf life of vintage wines is one and a half years, while collection wines are additionally aged in bottles.
At the main plant, the beverages are subjected to ancillary processing, which includes cooling, filtration and clarification.
About the wines of Massandra
The company produces red and white wines from different grape varieties.
Among them are strong, dessert and table drinks.
The main product lines:
Folk wines
Aged in oak
Winemaker's choice
Rarity
The most famous wine is "White Muscat of the Red Stone"
Belongs to the category of dessert liqueurs.
Aged in oak for at least two years. The first bottle of the legendary wine was produced in 1944.
The light amber drink with a delicate bouquet is made from selected fruits of the White Muscat variety.
The aroma is characterized by honey, berry, floral and peach hints with a light grassy trail.
Citrus tones are bright in the taste.
The products have repeatedly received the highest awards at international competitions.
These are also among the exclusive drinks highly appreciated by consumers:
Tokay South Coastal
White and pink muscats
Pinot Grigio Massandra and Yuzhnoberezhnyi
Pinot Grigio Ai-Danil
The seventh heaven of Prince Golitsyn
Old nectar
Kokur dessert Surozh
Madera Massandra.
These wines are produced only at the plants of PJSC "Massandra".
Some products are not produced annually: due to insufficient sugar content of raw materials, certain brands are replaced with less sweet analogues.
In total, the company produces more than 60 types of wines, with an annual output of about 10 million bottles.
Update: 04.10.2018
Category: Wine and Vermouth