First Ukrainian wines hit UK supermarkets
Kingsland Drinks has spearheaded an exclusive deal with Lidl GB that will see the first wines from Bolgrad Winery land in stores this month. The Duo white wine and Saperavi from the Southern Ukrainian region of Odesa are available to purchase now for a limited time only.
The seasonal listing taps into consumer thirst for wines from emerging regions and will mark the first time a wine from Ukraine has secured a supermarket listing in the UK.
Both wines are listed under the Bolgrad Select brand and are from the 2023 vintage. Duo is a blend of Chardonnay and native Ukrainian Sukholimansky grapes for a well-balanced dry white wine. The indigenous grape is highly aromatic on the nose and adds to the palate a white meadow blossom and dried apricot to the ripe citrus notes of the Chardonnay. The Bolgrad Select Saperavi, a grape closely associated with Georgia, brings a medium-bodied fruity red – ideal for lovers of a Malbec. Both wine bottles feature the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag with a distinctive tree illustration, giving real shelf appeal and driving curiosity at the moment of purchase.
Kingsland Drinks has been working with the winery since 2023 to – despite all odds – harvest, produce, bottle and find logistical solutions to import the wines to the UK market. The Lidl GB listing comes following a major drive by the distributor to inspire retailers to bring a wider selection of producers and varietals to the wine aisle.
Bolgrad is the leading brand for still wines in Ukraine and Odesa is one of the emerging territories in Eastern Europe, an area known for its unique terroirs, diverse range of grapes, growing conditions, microclimates and high-quality wines.
Kathryn Glass, buying manager at Kingsland Drinks, notes the pride to see Bolgrad wines on Lidl GB shelves.
“These two first listings are both of a high quality and bring a combination of native and international grape varieties to the drinks aisle,” Glass says. “We know British consumers will welcome the wines, enjoy the unique styles and show their support for the Bolgrad range.
“Kingsland Drinks has long been a champion of producers of new and interesting varietals from up-and-coming wine regions and this latest listing for Bolgrad in Lidl GB marks a major achievement in placing Ukrainian wines into the mainstream. We urge retailers to follow suit and bring a wider selection of Bolgrad wines onto shelves to offer consumers the chance to experiment and explore the potential of Ukrainian wines.”
The RRP for the Duo white and Saperavi in Lidl GB will be £7.99.
