LCBO Picks Up Ukrainian Wine

TORONTO–Ukraine’s famous gold-medal-winning sparkling wine is now available at the LCBO.  Ontario’s liquor board has added Krimsekt Brut to their growing line-up of Ukrainian beverages, which also includes Slava Ultra Premium vodka, Slavutich and Lvivske Premium beers and Zirkova vodka.

Krimsekt Brut is made from grapes grown on the storied Crimean peninsula.  Crimea offers superb soil and one of the finest wine-growing climates in the world. 

Krimsekt Brut is produced by the Artemivske Champagne winery, reputed to be the best in Central and Eastern Europe.  The winery makes Krimsekt Brut using the champagne method, with a three-year double fermentation that creates natural carbonation.  The wine is hand-riddled and made with the same meticulous techniques used by the great champagne houses of France. Riddling is the process by which sediments are taken out from a champagne bottle.  The bottle is placed neck down in a rack and slowly rotated and elevated over the period of about three months.  Many sparkling wine houses use machines to do this.  Only the finest wineries continue to do it by hand.

Founded over half a century ago, the Artemivske winery is situated in a vast complex of deep caves where there was once a gypsum mine.  Just like the chalk caves of Champagne in France, Artemivske winery’s deep cellars keep the temperature and humidity perfect for producing champagne-method wines year-round.

“Ukrainian and German-Canadians are the main reason why Krimsekt is now available.  Their support and strong private orders helped to convince the LCBO that Krimsekt would sell well,” said Oliver Dawson, a noted beer and wine marketing consultant and a Canadian of German descent.  Dawson first discovered Krimsekt while studying music in Freiberg.  Germany is the number-one export market for Krimsekt.  In fact, the wine’s enormous popularity in Germany explains its brand name: ‘Krim’ meaning ‘Crimean’ and ‘sekt’ meaning ‘sparkling wine,’ in German.

Until recently, Krimsekt was only available by special order.  The LCBO listing means that Krimsekt Brut will now be on the sparkling wine shelf at selected LCBO stores across Ontario. The LCBO’s website (www.lcbo.com) allows customers to search for stores which have it in stock.  However, customers can request Krimsekt Brut at any LCBO store, even if it is not a regular stock item.

Krimsekt Brut (1998) won the Gold Medal at the International Wine Competition at the Ottawa Food and Wine Show in 2004, considered within the industry to be among the most prestigious in Canada.  It was judged to be the best sparkling wine in the world by a panel of 30 wine experts.  Krimsekt also medaled at the 2005 Toronto Wine & Cheese Show.  “Unfortunately the 1998 is sold out,” says Dawson, “however, in my opinion, the 2001 vintage is even better.  I expect the 2001s to clean up in future awards as well.”

John Vellinga, CEO of Multiculture Bevco (Krimsekt’s Canadian distributor), was extremely pleased by the LCBO’s decision.  “Krimsekt is one of the finest bubblies in the world.  It makes a great addition to their line-up of sparkling wines.  At $18.95, it is a bit more than the cheap bubblies, but far less expensive than comparable quality French champagnes, which typically cost $50-$60 a bottle.”

 “Europeans realize that champagne is not only for special occasions, but makes a great aperitif or a casual drink,” adds Dawson.  “At this great price, people can afford to enjoy good sparkling wine more often.  Of course, Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to pop a cork and enjoy a romantic moment!”

“We would also love to bring in the Red Semi-sweet, which is truly exotic and a favourite in both Ukraine and Germany,” says Vellinga.  “If the Brut continues to be successful, the LCBO will be motivated to sell the Red as well.  Every sale supports our goal of offering both the Brut and the Red at the LCBO.”

Krimsekt Brut, Semi-Dry and Red Brut are available at selected SLGA stores in Saskatchewan, major Liquor Marts in Manitoba and at finer liquor stores in Alberta.  Krimsekt Semi-dry and Red have not yet joined the Brut on the shelf at the LCBO, but are still available in Ontario by private order.  To make a private order, Ontario residents need to contact the company directly at (800) 867-5978 (ext.5).  Customers can have their case(s) delivered to an LCBO store near them.  The whole process takes a few weeks, but is worth the wait.  More information is available on line through links at www.ukiestore.com.