This is what good wine from the Odesa Black grape tastes like

Odesa Black wine is deep purple-red in colour and full-flavoured, with plenty of tannin and lively acidity. The aroma is dominated by black fruit such as blackberries, blackcurrants, mulberries and plums, often with notes of mint, black pepper and herbs. It is Ukraine's best-known red grape and is now regarded as the calling card of Ukrainian red wine.

Check out our wine made from Odesa Black grapes

Odesa Black was developed in 1948 at the Tairov Institute of Viticulture near Odesa by crossing Alicante Bouschet with Cabernet Sauvignon. It was named Odeskyi Chornyi. From Alicante Bouschet the grape inherited its special characteristic: it is a so-called teinturier, with not only dark skin but also dark red flesh and juice. From Cabernet Sauvignon it inherited its aromas, its firm tannins and its late ripening.

In the Soviet system, grapes were divided into categories, and Odesa Black ended up among the 'technical' grapes. It was mainly used to give other wines more colour and power, and most of the wine served as cheap bulk wine. It was largely thanks to the Tairov Institute that the grape survived. In 2007 Kolonist Winery from Bessarabia released the first varietal Odesa Black. Since then, more and more Ukrainian winemakers have taken the grape seriously, and it seems to be developing into a Ukrainian signature grape.

Odesa Black is a hardy grape that copes well with frost, heat and drought. It is also fairly resistant to fungal diseases such as mildew and grey rot. Because it ripens late, it does need the sunniest spots in the vineyard. The vine grows vigorously and can yield heavily, but at high yields the wine becomes thin, with little colour and sharp acidity. Quality wine requires the grower's pruning shears and a warm site. Odesa Black is grown mainly in southern Ukraine, especially in the Odesa region. Under the name Alibernet it is also grown in Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

Young, the wine can be rough and untamed, with hard tannins. With time, careful winemaking and oak ageing, however, it becomes velvety and elegant. Oak ageing makes the wine rounder and more complex, and after a few years in bottle it develops notes of dark chocolate, smoke and dried fruit. Odesa Black is made both as a varietal wine and in blends, where it can easily dominate the other grapes. The wine goes well with hearty dishes such as grilled meat and smoked charcuterie.

We currently have one wine made from the Odesa Black grape in our range. You can view our Odesa Black wine here.