The origin of each of the alcoholic beverages is associated with certain circumstances. And in this wine "Likuria" is no exception to the general rule.
A bit of history
There are people who do not immediately understand their mission. They can conscientiously engage in completely different matters for many years, and only after some time will they be convinced that they are interested in something completely different. This is exactly what happened with the former founder of the Russian Industrial Bank and the Nast insurance company Mikhail Nikolayev. At some point, he realized that he no longer wanted to do finance. Gathering a team of like-minded people around him, the entrepreneur decided to do winemaking on the lands of the fertile Krasnodar Territory. For work, he chose an abandoned territory that once belonged to the Frunze state farm. It was here that the Lefkadia winery was now located. I had to spend a lot of time and invest a lot of effort before the team was able to see the result of their work. According to experts of the highest class, they really succeeded.
A wine called "Licuria" is only a worthy confirmation that a multinational team, each of whose members is a true master of their craft, was able to achieve the desired level.
Product range
The farm is about 80 hectares. This is a fairly large area, which must constantly be monitored in order to maintain the state of the earth. This was done by a group of agronomists led by a director and numerous consultants. They carried out serious breeding work. Since 2004, about 23 different varieties of vineyards have been planted on the farm. Many of them became the raw material from which the Likuria wine was later made. In principle, the assortment of products manufactured by young farmers is relatively small. It includes only two main names: “Lefkadia” and “Likuria”. And these are only dry wines. Each of them has its own line of tastes. Wine "Licuria" is represented by the following four main types:
- white
- red
- "Reserve" is white;
- "Reserve" is red.
By basic characteristics, these drinks are very similar. The difference between them is only in the grape variety, which is used for production and is the basis of individual taste and aroma.
Strict classification
Anyone who will look for sweet wine in the price list of this company will only waste time. He's not there. Almost the entire range is represented exclusively by dry wines. This was the main goal. The whole process goes naturally, without any outside interference. As you know, sweet wine is made from the most ripe grape berries, exposing them in the production process:
- freezing and subsequent removal from the mixture;
- blending;
- interruption of the fermentation stage;
- puffing up;
- infection with a special kind of mold.
Similar methods are widely used in winemaking.
But in this case, the technology is designed to completely ferment the prepared wort, after which no more than 0.3 percent sugar remains in the finished product. This is a classic dry wine. It belongs to the category of dining rooms or, as many consider it, natural. By the way, recently there has been an increased demand for such products.
Red wine
There are some connoisseurs who believe that “Likuria” red is preferred from the entire line. To agree with this opinion or refute it, you need to learn as much as possible about the product itself.
To begin with, it should be noted that two varieties of berries were used as the raw material for its manufacture: Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in a 1: 1 ratio. Due to the pronounced pigment, the drink received a rich ruby hue. The product sparkles in the glass, which gives a feeling of crystal transparency. The taste has pronounced notes of red plum and ripe cherries. This pleasant combination is complemented by subtle shades of dried fruits and subtle notes of vanilla. This is fully consistent with the author’s idea. The wine is made in a light fruit style and is perfect as a drink for every day. The strength of the product is 14 percent, which is fully consistent with its classification. The drink has a taste of light acidity, which pleasantly sets off fruit aromas and gives a refreshing effect.
Price of pleasure
Almost all the wines of the Lefkadia farm are bottled in dark glass bottles with a capacity of 0.75 liters and sealed with natural cork. The product comes to the distribution network most often from the direct manufacturer. This allows the seller to be confident in the quality and reliability of the goods. How much can Licuria wine cost? The price usually depends on three factors:
- Type of drink (white or red).
- Harvesting (year of gathering berries and making).
- Shopping facility.
True, finding this wine in stores is not so simple. A drink of each item is made only a few thousand bottles a year. Nevertheless, depending on the date of bottling, the cost of one copy can cost the buyer from 320 to 1700 rubles. The run-up is large enough, but this is understandable. So, for example, in 2012 there was a very good harvest. The absence of drought allowed the berries to ripen well. This affected the quality of the finished product, and hence its price. Usually the red Likuria this year costs at least 500 rubles.
Customer reviews
There are many people who really like Likuria wine. Reviews from many of them are partially similar to each other.
All of them emphasize the successful combination of pleasant taste and delicate aroma. The balance of shades suggests that the bouquet of the drink is very well thought out. This is a considerable merit of the leading world-famous winemaking experts: Patrick Leon and Gilles Ray. It was they who, with their knowledge, helped to realize such an unprecedented project. The drinks were very bright and expressive. For example, white Likuria is quite popular. For its manufacture, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay grapes are used in a ratio of 1: 3. The result is a product of amazing golden color. An unusual taste is determined by delicate citrus notes with a pleasant grassy hue. Such a drink is refreshing. In addition, it can be served with poultry, hot dishes and various meat snacks.
Cooking process
Of particular note is the production of wine itself. After all, it is technology that determines how the future product will turn out. First of all, it should be noted that Licuria, like any other dry wine, is obtained by the natural fermentation of raw materials.
Production workshops are in close proximity to the vineyards themselves. This allows you to maximize the preservation of the crop and avoid unwanted losses. The whole process takes place in several stages:
- First, fresh berries are cooled in special chambers to 4-8 degrees for better extraction.
- Then the raw materials are double sorted, which is carried out manually.
- After this, the raw materials are crushed.
- The resulting mass goes to the press, where more than 60 percent of the juice is extracted from it in a sparing mode.
- Then the raw material wanders, and then the product enters the bottling line. This type of wine eliminates the aging stage.
Interestingly, wine material from one stage to another enters without the help of any injection systems. Everything happens almost by gravity. This is a unique feature of the equipment used at the enterprise. The line works on the principle of gravity, which allows the product not to lose its original qualities. In addition, the unique line is completely isolated from the external environment. This improves the organoleptic of the product and attracts a keen interest in it from both specialists and ordinary customers.