The wines that are known or regarded officially as Russian wine in most cases refers to wine that was made in the Russian Federation, as well as some which were made and bottled in what used to be the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. This referencing however has grown to become inaccurate, as it has misrepresented other wines that are specifically from countries like Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova.
Nowadays, the term “Russian wine” is used in order to reference wine that was made from the southern areas of the Russian Federation. Such areas include Chechnya, Krasnodar Krai, Rostov, and Kabardino-Balkaria. Russia also has some controlled appellations that represent a few certain types of grapes. These are the Sibirkovy, Plechistik, Guliabi Dagenstanski, Tsimlyanski Cherny, and Narma.
The areas surrounding the Caspian sea, Azov sea, and the Black sea has been home to many different types of wild grape vines for the past thousands of years. This has been confirmed by evidences of cultivation and viticulture for the purpose of trading with Ancient Greece that were uncovered along the Black Sea’s shores. Such grapes have become the basis of wine and the distinct flavor that makes for good Russian wine. Russia now manufactures a lot of different still, sparkling and dessert wines. Over 100 variations of grapes are now used in the making of Russian wines, which include more popular types such as Cabernet Severny, Merlot, Pinot gris, Riesling, and Cabernet Sauvignon.