Wine Regions of Europe- Russia

If we do not count the Crimea as part of Russia—and we do not—Russia’s vineyard area is pitifully small for the largest country on the planet. More than three-quarters of Russia’s grapevines are planted in Krasnodar Krai, facing on both the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. Most other regions of southern Russia are too cold in winter for vines to survive, forcing growers to bury them to protect against the cold—those grapes that do survive are generally used for brandy rather than wine. Krasnodar Krai grapes include the usual crew of international varieties, plus Burgundy’s “other” white grape Aligoté, the Georgian white Rkatsiteli and red Saperavi, and some local varieties like the red Krasnostop.