Ukrainian products win big at Toronto Wine and Cheese Show (05/15/05)

Ukrainian products win big at Toronto Wine and Cheese Show

TORONTO - Ukrainian products submitted for competition at the prestigious Toronto Wine and Cheese Show have won medals in all their categories. The competition was judged by a distinguished panel of experts.

Lvivske lager beer won the gold medal for best European-style larger, while Slavutych won a bronze medal in the same category.

Krimsekt semi-dry sparkling wine won the bronze for sweet sparkling wine. No gold or silver medals were awarded in this category. This adds to the gold medal won by Krimsekt Brut sparkling wine at the Ottawa Food and Wine Show in November of 2004.

John Vellinga, CEO of Multiculture Bevco (the Canadian distributor for all three products), said he is extremely pleased with the result. "This is extraordinary. We won medals with three out of the four products that we submitted. It is our mission to bring the best of Ukraine to the rest of the world. This proves that not only are we bringing the best of Ukraine, but that the best of Ukraine is also the best in the world," said Mr. Vellinga.

Oliver Dawson is a noted beer expert and president of the Beer Lover's Tour Company. Mr. Dawson said, "I have always been impressed by these two fine products. Not only have they won medals, including a gold, but they have done so in very distinguished company." Creemore Springs tied Slavutych for the bronze, while Steam Whistle won the silver medal. "This proves that Lvivske and Slavutych are winners, even when compared to some of the best beers in the market," Mr. Dawson added.

Lvivske lager, the gold medal winner, is produced in Lviv, one of Ukraine's most historic and beautiful cities. The brewery is almost three centuries old and is renowned for producing some of Europe's best beers.

Slavutych, although a relatively new brand, is already the second-best selling beer in Ukraine. Brewed in central Ukraine, it has already won numerous international awards and has been named Ukraine's best tasting beer. Slavutych and Lvivske are available at LCBO stores throughout Ontario, as well as in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Mr. Vellinga said he is delighted also with Krimsekt's win. "This builds on our extraordinary gold medal win in Ottawa last year," he said. Krimsekt sparkling wines are made in the champagne method. They are double fermented for three years to create natural carbonation, hand-riddled and crafted with the same meticulous techniques as the great champagne houses of France.

The Krimsekt winery was founded 54 years ago and is one of the only wineries in the world located entirely underground - in a vast 25-hectare complex of deep caves and cellars that was once a gypsum mine.

Just like the chalk caves of Champagne, France, these deep caverns keep temperature and humidity perfect for producing and cellaring champagne-method wines year-round. The grapes are grown in the ideal soil and climate of the historic Crimean Peninsula, Mr. Vellinga explained.

Krimsekt bubblies can be purchased by the case of six though special order. To place an order, Ontario residents need to contact the company directly at 1-800-867-5978 (ext 5). Customers can have Krimsekt delivered to an LCBO store near them within a couple of weeks. Krimsekt is available also in Saskatchewan and Alberta.

"Ukrainian Canadians should be proud that products of such calibre hail from their homeland," obsered Victor Koszarny, sales director for Multiculture Bevco and a Ukrainian-Canadian himself. "We have a great selection of Ukrainian products at the LCBO. It is really satisfying that they are getting the recognition that they deserve. I only wish that there had been a vodka competition, because our Slava Ultra-Premium Vodka is phenomenal." The vodka is also available at the LCBO and will be launched soon across the rest of Canada and the U.S.

To find out more about these and other products from Ukraine, readers may log on to www.ukiestore.com.

| Home Page |