A Decent Soviet Champagne on a Budget, But the Dry Version Falls Short

I'm still on a sparkling wine kick after New Year's, and I found myself craving another glass or two. Problem was, I didn't want to break the bank, and the nearest store near my place only had a limited selection. But then I spotted a huge shipment of Soviet Champagne from the Minsk Factory of Sparkling Wines, and I remembered it being pretty decent. So, I asked my husband to grab a bottle, but I forgot to specify which version I wanted - and he ended up getting the dry one. I'm usually a fan of brut or semi-sweet, so the dry Soviet Champagne was a new experience for me. I figured I'd share my thoughts on it.General infoTraditional Soviet champagne, made from a blend of top-notch grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot, Aligote, and Riesling. Produced since 1978. It's got a soft, balanced taste with floral and citrus notes. The bouquet is developed, harmonious, with hints of tropical fruits, rose petals, and lime.

Volume: 0.75 liters. You can also get it in 0.375 liters or 1.5 liters. Sugar content: 20-25 g/dm3. Alcohol content: 10.5-13.5%. Interestingly, Soviet Champagne comes in dry, brut, semi-dry, and semi-sweet versions. Price-wise, it's around 10 Belarusian rubles.PackagingThe bottle's instantly recognizable: green glass, black label, and gold foil on the neck. The different sweetness levels are indicated by a note on a colored background right below the name.

The back has another label with more detailed info. The foil covers the cork nicely, and there's a special strip to easily remove it.The cap is simple, but neat. The cork was plastic in this case, but I think there might be a version with a natural cork - you can check the label before buying if that's a deal-breaker for you.I wasn't a fan of the plastic cork, to be honest. I'm glad it didn't shoot off on its own and break the dropped ceiling, but the problem was the opposite - I almost had to give up and wait for my husband's help. But after a few minutes of actively trying to pull out the cork, I managed to do it.It came out really stuck, but in the end, the characteristic 'pop' sound was heard.Appearance and other featuresThe drink has a characteristic, golden-sunshine color. There are a lot of bubbles, but how they'll behave depends more on the glass.

When I poured champagne into high glasses (the ones in this review), the drink foamed up really badly. So badly that the foam spilled over the edges of the glass even after I stopped pouring. Not very pleasant (and I had to wipe up the spills), but it's definitely due to the glass, because when I poured it into a classic, larger wine glass - there was no problem.Anyway, the foam disappeared quickly, and in high glasses, the foam looked way more interesting, while in the wine glass, the bubbles disappeared.The aroma of the drink is quite pleasant, floral-grape, but without any special nuances (what nuances can you expect in champagne for 10 rubles?).Taste, my impressionsThe first sip tasted like an awful acidity to me. Even the brut in my memories was less acidic, which surprised me, given that there's more sugar here!

But then either I got used to it, or the combination with food changed my perception of the taste, and the drink started to seem more pleasant. Of course, it's not as sweet as the Asti sparkling wine, but it's not unpleasant to drink.The champagne is quite strong (of course, depending on what you compare it to), so after two glasses, I already felt a buzz.I was pleased that there was no headache the next morning and no other unpleasant consequences.What to pair it withSweet champagne wine is something that will pair well with unsweet dishes and products.

Since the drink itself is unsweet, desserts and sweet fruits will make it even more acidic or even bitter, and the sweets themselves will lose their flavor.So we choose dry champagne for a feast when there's normal food, or for some unsweet snacks.It also pairs well with cheese.ConclusionMinsk Soviet Champagne is a seriously budget-friendly option that's still pretty decent. No wonder it's been flying off the shelves for years, especially during the holiday season.

I have to say, though, that the dry version didn't quite win me over like the others did.

That being said, I'd still recommend it if you're looking for something to serve at a party, rather than just sipping on its own. And if you're planning a party, you might actually want to go with the brut instead. But if you're looking for a backup option, the dry version is worth considering.

My reviews of other drinksYou can check those out here.