Ukrainian wine

The primary wine-producing regions in Ukraine are located in Southern Ukraine, including Mykolaiv, Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, and Odesa oblasts, along with Crimea and Bessarabia/Budjak. Additionally, Zakarpattia Oblast, known for its Carpathian Ruthenia, contributes to the country's viticulture.

Wine culture in Ukraine can be traced back to the 4th century BC along the southern coast of Crimea, where ancient presses and amphoras were discovered. However, the cultivation of wine in northern regions, such as Kyiv and Chernihiv, began in the 11th century, primarily by monks. During the Hetmanate period in the 17th and 18th centuries, viticulture was further developed by monks and local burghers, although most grapes were initially consumed as food rather than used for winemaking.

In 1783, Crimea became part of the Russian Empire under Empress Catherine the Great. Count Mikhail Vorontsov established the first wine gardens in 1820, and the Magarach viticulture research institute was founded in 1828. Swiss winegrowers established a colony at Shabo in 1822, which gained international recognition at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

During the Soviet era, Ukraine was the largest wine supplier in the USSR, covering 2,500 km2 (965 sq mi) of vineyards. However, a campaign against alcohol consumption initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev in 1986 resulted in the destruction of approximately 800 km2 (309 sq mi) of vineyards. Since 2000, wine production and exports have seen significant growth. The annexation of Crimea led to the loss of 17,000 hectares of vineyards and wineries that produced 60% of Ukraine's wines.

Key grape varietals cultivated in Ukraine include Aligoté, Muscat, Isabella, Traminer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Rkatsiteli, and the Golubok grape variety, which was first grown in Ukraine. Notable wineries include the Magarach Wine Institute near Yalta, which offers a selection of 20,000 different wines from 3,200 vine species, Massandra Winery, and the Shabo wine culture center.