Some 500 bottles of Ukrainian wine arrived at the city of wine, which hosted a delegation from the interprofession of this country at war, this Tuesday. “It’s incredible with the current times that all these wines have been able to cross all borders and arrive here”, emphasizes Florence Maffrand, responsible for wine partnerships and international sponsorship for the Cité du Vin Foundation. A strong mark of support as the conflict with Russia wreaks havoc in the country since February 24, 2022.
The hope of replanting after the war
“Of course, it’s very dangerous to be in the vineyards under the bombardments which continue but we continue our work, says Volodymyr Kucherenko, general manager ofUkrvinprom, the interprofessional organization of the Ukrainian wine sector and director of the Ukrainian Wine Institute. Many vineyards are destroyed and many are degraded, war is a horrible thing. Today, 39,100 hectares of vines are on territories controlled by Ukraine, compared to 45,000 to 48,000 hectares before the conflict. “I hope that after the war we will be able to replant the vines damaged by the bombardments”, adds Volodymyr Kucherenko.
While the port of Odessa was an important export point for the sector, it tries to adapt and resist as much as possible. There are “other paths”, assures Volodymyr Kucherenko who stresses that the war “will pass”. With this partnership, it is also for the interprofession to remain visible. “The French but also tourists from all over the world who come to the Cité du Vin will be able to see that Ukraine is not only a country at war but also the producer of very good wine, it will be an opportunity to learn more about its culture. »
“We received a very nice grant from Ukraine and we will schedule the tastings over time, sometimes at the belvedere, sometimes as part of our cultural program, explains Florence Maffrand. There is a great diversity of wines, even if they are mostly reds. Tastings will highlight specific grape varieties and other international ones. »
The Cité du vin team of sommeliers has been briefed on the Ukrainian estates and the director of Ukrvinprom assures us that the 21 best wines of his country are to be discovered in the Bordeaux setting. He hopes to soon raise his glass to the victory of his country.