Abrau-Durso presented a new wine Victor Dravigny Zero Dosage in honor of the 150th anniversary of the famous winemaker

May 20 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of the famous champagne maker Victor Dravigny. In honor of the anniversary, Abrau-Durso, the leader in the Russian sparkling wine market, presents the first Zero Dosage sparkling wine in the Victor Dravigny collection. The sparkling wine in a special festive design is produced in a limited edition and aged in mountain tunnels for 33 months.

French winemaker Victor Dravigny took the position of chief champagne specialist of the Abrau-Durso estate in 1905. He arrived in Russia with his family from Épernay, one of the winemaking centers in the Champagne province. Thanks to his enthusiasm and talent, the classic method of creating sparkling wines on the shores of Lake Abrau was brought to perfection, and the Abrau-Durso  name became known first throughout the Russian Empire and then in the world.

Victor Dravigny's work was highly recognized by Emperor Nicholas II, the winemaker received awards twice: a gold watch on a chain and a gold cigarette case with an inlaid diamond royal eagle. The Abrau-Durso estate became the main supplier of domestic champagne to the table of the imperial family, including for celebrating the most significant dates. Thus, for celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty reign, the Abrau-Durso sparkling wine was served at the highest ceremonial dinner in the Winter Palace. Victor Dravigny spent 14 years in Russia, devoting his life to studying terroir and creating famous sparkling wines. The champanist was forced to leave Russia in April 1919 due to post-revolutionary events.

In the modern history of Abrau-Durso, the only personal collection of classic sparkling wines is named in honor of Victor Dravigny, samples of which have won awards at leading tasting competitions. In honor of the master's 150th anniversary, Abrau-Durso presents a limited festive edition of Victor Dravigny Zero Dosage.

The Victor Dravigny Zero Dosage assemblage includes classic grape varieties that define features of Abrau-Durso sparkling wines - Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. No added sugar is used in the process of creating sparkling wine - this style of sparkling wine is the most difficult to make and emphasizes the pure flavor composition. Victor Dravigny Zero Dosage is created using classic champagnization technology; each sample is aged in the Abrau-Durso famous mountain tunnels for 33 months.

Victor Dravigny Zero Dosage has a subtle straw-golden hue with a persistent mousse and an elegant play of bubbles. The harmonious wine bouquet combines notes of ripe apricot and grapefruit zest with hints of white fruits. The flavor with a bright dominance of crisp acidity is filled with tones of ripe pear, green apple and light citrus nuances. The fruity and citrus shades continue in the long refreshing aftertaste of the elegant sparkling wine.

"The Victor Dravigny Zero Dosage celebration limited edition is a project inspired by achievements of my famous predecessor Victor Dravigny. Like me, he came to Russia from France and fell in love with Abrau-Durso from the bottom of his heart. He has done his best to study the terroir and create the best wines here," comments Georges Blanc, Winemaking Director at the Abrau-Durso Group.

The Victor Dravigny Zero Dosage design is distinguished by the elegance of a bottle of a special shape. In the center of the label are a portrait of Victor Dravigny and the year of the master's birth - 1874. The celebratory series is decorated with a special collarette with the number 150 in gold color. Victor Dravigny Zero Dosage is produced in a limited edition of 1,700 bottles and will be exclusively available in Moscow, at the new 1870 Abrau Durso Usachevsky restaurant in the gastronomic cluster at 26 Usacheva Street and at the flagship 1870 Abrau Durso at 45/24 Arbat Street.

Additional information:

Russian sparkling wine with a protected geographical indication "Kuban"

Edition: 1,700 bottles

Vintage year: 2020

Ingredients: Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir

Alcohol by volume: 12.5%

Aging: 33 months in the Abrau-Durso mountain tunnels

A golden straw-colored sparkling wine with elegant fine pearlage and a persistent mousse. The aromatics are dominated by notes of apricot, citrus and white fruits. The flavor is distinguished by crisp acidity with nuances of ripe pears and apples that continue into a refreshing and bright aftertaste.