The Russian Wines Competition© is sponsored by COTE ROCHEUSE JSC
Cote Rocheuse JSC joint-stock company is a new enterprise set up in 2010 which specializes in growing wine grapes of international varieties (black: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and white: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling) and one indigenous Russian variety: Krasnostop Zolotovsky.
The Cote Rocheuse JSC vineyard, whose laying out had three stages from 2011 till 2013, occupies an area of 32 ha and is situated in a picturesque zone of the south-western part of Krasnodar Region in close proximity to the Black Sea in the environs of Anapa. One of the most competent wine experts in the world, Oz Clarke, wrote in his book “Wine Atlas: Wines and Wine Regions of the World” that the most favourable region for growing grapes and producing high-quality wines in Russia is the area of Anapa. Both rootstocks and clones were selected with the aim of getting in high-quality crop. Optimal density of grape planting, 5000 vines per hectare, was chosen to serve the same purpose. A unique combination of natural factors coupled with high-quality grape seedlings bought from the world’s leader in producing grape seedlings, Mercier plant nursery (France), is what guarantees the purity and quality of the grapes grown there.
The proximity to the sea provides moderately humid climate with a slight annual temperature difference. The mountainous terrain protects from north-eastern winds while southern and south-western slopes get more warmth and light. An altitude of 150-300 m above the sea level is considered to be the most suitable for growing high-quality grapes whereas humus-carbonate clay soils together with a lot of stones and rubble contribute to that perfectly well.
Due to careful and painstaking work on the site of an abandoned field was laid out a vineyard of European standards where people of Krasnodar Region aware of all the features of the local terroir as well as agronomic and vine growing operations work. The enterprise makes use of modern agricultural technology and applies a scientific approach to growing grapes.
Designing modern gravity type winery on production of premium wines is finished, its construction is to start soon.
LEONID FADEEV, Weinakademiker, DipWSET, WorldSom Magister Sommelier.