Wine "Psou": fragrant wines of Abkhazia

Often, the wines produced in Abkhazia are put on a par with Georgian wines. In fact, it's a completely different technology, grapes, and a completely original taste of wine. Such a special, unlike the others, is the "Psou" wine.

Historical reference

The history of the Abkhazian people and the history of winemaking in this region begin at the same time. Clay amphoras with the remains of wine were found during excavations in the layers of the III-II centuries BC. This way of maturing wine is used in Abkhazia and now. The largest of the amphoras found contained 200 liters of beverage, was 151 cm high and 98 cm wide. It is not known who planted the vine on these slopes, but ancient Dioscuria (the so-called Sukhumi city) supplied its wines to the Romans. This is mentioned in his historical reference by the ancient Greek scientist Strabo. In 1925, several peasant farms engaged in the cultivation of grapes were merged to create a wine-growing line at the state level. This date can be considered the historical beginning of industrial wine production. There were separate brands of wines with certain names. The "Psou" wine is called the river, the natural border of Abkhazia with Russia. This brand began to be produced since 1962, when industrial winemaking entered the phase of its heyday.

Features of Abkhazian winemaking

Dozens of varieties of local grapes have their own unique taste and aroma. Even in different terrains, the same variety will have its own special taste tint. This is due to the influence of various natural and climatic conditions, proximity or remoteness to the sea, soil. Abkhazian "Psou" wine was traditionally produced in private households from purely local grapes of "tsolikaluri" variety. Later, technologists received a special blend, combining three varieties: tzolikauri, riesling and rkatsiteli. You can doubt the originality of the wine, because its constituent grapes "Riesling" and "rkatsiteli" are popular in many territories. The fact is that during the times these imported varieties mixed a little with the truly local and got their authentic taste and aroma.

It is noteworthy that according to tradition the collection of grapes and work with wine in Abkhazia is a purely masculine affair. And the varieties of wine in the people are divided into "masculine" - tart and more seasoned and "female" - semisweet with flavors of berries and fruits.

The peculiarity of growing grapes in the villages: the vine is not directed to a specific position, it is allowed to stretch and spread out wherever it wants, it gets complete freedom of action. The harvesting of grapes is in November-December.

Characteristics of wine

The "Psou" wine is a white semisweet, natural, from a blend of grapes of three varieties. A drink of beautiful light straw color. The taste is high-quality, light, with a bright floral tone and pleasant sweetness.

The fortress of the drink is 9-11%, the sugar content is 32-35 g / dm.

How to make the wine "Psou"?

Berries of grapes are separated from twigs and kneaded to get juice. Grape juice, regardless of the color of the berry, is always white. Color gives colorants that are in the skin of the fetus. To obtain white wine, the berries are pressed immediately, without waiting for fermentation, so as not to spoil the color of the future drink. This is how the white wine "Psou" is produced. Red wine is prepared in a slightly different way. For fermentation, leave the pulp - the ground juice with berries and skin.

High-quality Abkhazian wine wanders for a long time, "gravity" at a temperature of 13 - 20 °. In individual production, clay vessels are still used, which are buried in the ground. In modern factory conditions, the wort "rests" in metal vats. At this time, it is observed, studied and "brought up", that is, brought to the desired state and taste. This is done by reducing or adding temperature, changing the composition of the blend. On average, the time for resting young wine takes from 33 to 35 days. After approval of the tasting commission, the beverage is subjected to additional filtration and bottled.

Features of cleaning

At the plant, an additional cleaning procedure is possible, it is applied when the wine becomes slightly cloudy, a precipitate appears. In the language of professionals, this is called "sick". To "cure" the drink, bentanite is used - a special natural clay. It absorbs the sediment. The wine is further filtered and placed in a cold for self-cleaning. After bottling in the bottle, the composition of the drink remains almost unchanged. Although, according to experts, wine remains "alive" even after capping.

Sukhum Plant

The "Psou" wine is produced at the Sukhumi Winery. This is the only official producer of Abkhazian wine for today. Its foundation and development is associated with the name of Nicholas Achba, a descendant of the Grand Duchess and the main winemaker of the republic. In the history of its existence, the plant experienced ups and downs, a peak of prosperity and complete collapse. The second date of birth of the enterprise was acquired after the complete reconstruction of 1999. Investments helped to equip modern Italian production lines, a quality control laboratory, tanks for processing and storing raw materials. These events have significantly improved the quality of Abkhazian wines and bring products to the world market, where it immediately won recognition and admiration. To the credit of the winemakers of Abkhazia, they were able to combine qualitatively the centuries-old experience of ancestors and modern technologies.

What is the negative about it?

Wine "Psou" reviews about itself leaves from just good to enthusiastic. Why sometimes you can meet bewilderment about the taste, and even blatant abuse. Of course, the taste perception is different for everyone, but that's not the point. True experts in wine-making matters, most wine consumers are ordinary people who appreciate the taste, smell and aftertaste of a drink. Therefore, we must remember that the Sukhumi plant is responsible for the true quality of industrial wine in Abkhazia. This is to the fact that sometimes on the streets of resort towns you can find advertising from unknown manufacturers, whose quality is very doubtful. We are talking about packaged products, but wine is produced in Abkhazia on each farmstead, and in the market for a spill you can buy excellent products, or you can be frank falsification.

Rules of the feast

How to drink Psou? Abkhazia is the Caucasus! Traditions of drinking are special - wines drink a lot, everywhere and for all occasions, and just to quench your thirst. By the way, white wines of this brand are just good for this purpose in a refrigerated form. It is this kind of chilled recommended to serve "Psou" to fish, vegetable snacks. A good appendix to wine will be cheese, fruit. "Psou" does not refer to the kind of strong alcoholic beverages, does not leave gravity either in the head or in the stomach, but still the measure is good in everything.

Wines of Abkhazia

Psou is not the only pearl in the company of Abkhazian wine. Traditional for Sukhumi plant and familiar customers are also the white semi-dry "Anakopia", red semi-sweet "Lychny", "Apsny". From the famous grapes "Isabella" here they produce dessert red "Bouquet of Abkhazia".

After the reconstruction by the technologists of the plant, new varieties were created: white dry "Dioscuria", red dry "Rada" and "Chegem", red semi-dry "Escher" and "Amra". Collection red dry wines "Ashta Lasha" and "Atauad Gumista Ashta" represented Abkhazia at international exhibitions, where they were awarded with high awards.

Where can I buy?

Certainly in Abkhazia! It is here that quality Abkhazian wines will be the cheapest. But in Russia and in Ukraine Abkhazian wines are among the most popular, you can buy them in the wine departments of many supermarkets, however, much more expensive than at home.