A sweet sparkling wine poured at New Year, made in tanks rather than in the bottle. Stalin ordered it in 1936 as an affordable luxury, and Anton Frolov-Bagreev’s continuous tank method made mass production possible.
The second fermentation happens in a sealed pressure vessel — industrial equipment, not glassware — and it is a licensed winery product.
What goes into it
- white grapes
- yeast
- sugar for the second fermentation
How it is made
A base wine is made, then fermented a second time in a sealed pressurised tank with sugar and yeast, which traps the carbon dioxide. Frolov-Bagreev’s continuous version ran the process through a series of linked tanks rather than in batches, cutting production time from years to weeks — which was the entire point of the commission.
How long it takes: weeks in the tank rather than years in bottle
How it is eaten
Cold at midnight on New Year’s Eve, which is very nearly its only occasion.
History
Ordered by Stalin in 1936 as an affordable luxury; Anton Frolov-Bagreev’s continuous tank method made mass production possible.
Frequently asked questions
What is Sovetskoye shampanskoye?
Sovetskoye shampanskoye is a wine & spirit from Russia: sweet sparkling wine poured at New Year, made in tanks. Ordered by Stalin in 1936 as an affordable luxury; Anton Frolov-Bagreev’s continuous tank method made mass production possible.
How is Sovetskoye shampanskoye made?
A base wine is made, then fermented a second time in a sealed pressurised tank with sugar and yeast, which traps the carbon dioxide. Frolov-Bagreev’s continuous version ran the process through a series of linked tanks rather than in batches, cutting production time from years to weeks — which was the entire point of the commission. It takes weeks in the tank rather than years in bottle.
Can I make Sovetskoye shampanskoye at home?
No, and the atlas gives no method for it. The second fermentation happens in a sealed pressure vessel — industrial equipment, not glassware — and it is a licensed winery product.
What goes into Sovetskoye shampanskoye?
White grapes, yeast, sugar for the second fermentation.
How is Sovetskoye shampanskoye eaten?
Cold at midnight on New Year’s Eve, which is very nearly its only occasion.
