Kingsland Drinks has agreed a deal to import and distribute Bolgrad wine from Ukraine in the UK drinks market.
From August, six wines from Ukraine will be available to UK supermarkets, retailers and independent wine merchants via the Salford-based importer and distributor.
The Bolgrad range is varietal led with a Pinot Grigio, a Chardonnay and a Chardonnay Sukholimansky in white wines, along with a Pinot Noir rosé. And in red wines, the brand offers a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Saperavi. A project wine Odesa Black will join the range later in the year.
The wines will be priced around £10 RRP, with the bottles featuring a vine trellis growing from the letter B intertwined with a fine yellow and blue thread – all designed in Ukraine.
Against the odds, Kingsland Drinks and Bolgrad have succeeded in harvesting, producing, bottling and finding logistical solutions to import the wines to the UK market. Bolgrad is the leading brand for still wines in Ukraine and Odesa is one of the emerging territories in Eastern Europe, an area known for its unique terroirs, diverse range of grapes and growing conditions, microclimates and high-quality wines.
Kathryn Glass, Buying Manager at Kingsland Drinks, said: “This has been a huge endeavour for all parties involved against the backdrop of the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia. We’re incredibly proud to play our part in bringing these wines to the UK. All six wines are distinctive, elegant, of a high quality, and really show the breadth of wines available from Ukraine. Bolgrad wine is a well-known favourite in Ukraine, and is the number one brand for still wines, so we know British audiences will welcome it with open arms and will be astounded by the high quality of both the native and international varietals.
“Our business relationship with Bolgrad is based on mutual respect and appreciation, and we were impressed with the quality and calibre of the wines being produced, so we’re confident British drinkers will buy the products primarily because they enjoy the wines. They’re brilliantly unexpected, because of their origin, but we know the taste profiles and styles of the wines will match consumer preferences, and we’re confident they will perform well when compared to internationally produced wines already available in the UK.
“We have forged a special bond with Ukraine here in the UK, and British interest in Ukrainian produce and culture has developed out of these turbulent times. We know the UK public will want to show their support for the range, and indeed the Ukrainian people, and we’re truly excited about the potential of Bolgrad in the UK.”
