On Friday, 7 November 2025, on the eve of Ukraine’s Grape Growers and Winemakers Day, the Hennadii Udovenko Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the forum ‘Ukrainian Wine — Part of the World Cultural Heritage’ within the Award Ceremony for the Winners of the National Selection of Official Wines of Ukraine’s Ambassadors – 2025. 

The event was jointly organised by the Ukrvynprom Corporation and the Directorate-General for Rendering Services to Diplomatic Missions, with the support of the Hennadii Udovenko Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The forum brought together leading Ukrainian winemakers, government officials, international experts, and members of the diplomatic corps to celebrate Ukrainian winemaking as an integral part of both national and global cultural heritage, to emphasise wine diplomacy as a tool of international representation, and to strengthen inter-agency and international cooperation aimed at preserving and developing Ukraine’s viticulture and winemaking sector.

The forum opened with welcoming speeches from Andrii Sybiha, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine; Ihor Ostash, Director of the Hennadii Udovenko Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Taras Vysotskyi, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine;  Florence Maffrand, Head of Wine Partnership at the Foundation for Wine Culture and Civilisations, Bordeaux;  Shakhnoza Muminova, Head of the FAO Office in Ukraine; and Volodymyr Kucherenko, Ukrvynprom Director General.

During his opening remarks, Andrii Sybiha highlighted the deep historical roots of Ukrainian winemaking, tracing back to ancient Crimea. He emphasised that, despite significant vineyard losses caused by russian aggression, the domestic wine sector not only maintains its viability but also actively develops.

Ihor Ostash underscored the diplomatic significance of Ukraine’s winemaking tradition in his address:

‘We value the exceptional work of our grapegrowers and winemakers because their efforts represent our treasure and contribute to the world’s cultural heritage. Even under wartime conditions, our winemakers nurture and develop vineyards. Moreover, they cultivate grape varieties worthy of presentation to the entire world, which truly belong in the global wine collection displayed at the museum in Bordeaux. I am convinced that Ukrainian wines will claim their rightful place this year. Our wines have become ambassadors, and I want to thank everyone who works with Ukrainian wine for enhancing our heritage, which is also part of our cultural diplomacy.’

Volodymyr Kucherenko noted in his speech:

‘This event is not just about wine. It is about life that continues even in the hardest times. We thank everyone who, despite the war, remains devoted to the vine and plants new vineyards while the skies still thunder. Grapes represent hope, rebirth, and faith in peace’.

The forum featured professional panel discussions, ‘The Tradition of Winemaking Culture in Ukraine — A Journey Through the Ages’ and ‘Ukrainian Wine as a Brand: Cooperation Between Business, Gastronomy, and Tourism’. Speakers included respected scholars and industry experts: Oleksii Sokyrko, Doctor of History, Lecturer at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv; Ihor Netudyhatkin, PhD in History, Head of the Sophia Museum Department at the National Reserve ‘Sophia of Kyiv’; Stéphane Badet, Professor and expert at the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty; Mykhailo Bno-Airiian, Director for Government Relations and International Cooperation at MHP; Volodymyr Voievodin, BASF expert; Khrystyna Hospodarska, Owner of the MC Hospodarskykh Clinic; and Vadym Hurov, Head of the Alcohol Department at WINETIME, Sommelier. The discussion was moderated by Tetiana Filevska, Creative Director of the Ukrainian Institute.

During the forum, organisers presented the catalogue ‘Ukrainian Wine — Part of the World’s Cultural Heritage’, aimed at familiarising foreign gastronomic partners with contemporary achievements of Ukrainian winemaking, including wines awarded the status of Ukrainian Wine Ambassador, and encouraging joint promotional projects abroad.

The forum also highlighted the signature project of the MHP Culinary Centre, ‘Taste Through Time’, led by Brand Chef Illia Demkovskyi. In collaboration with Ukrvynprom, the MHP team presented a gastronomic pairing menu that combined Ukrainian dishes with ambassador wines to showcase the harmony between national cuisine and Ukrainian winemaking.

The event concluded with the award ceremony for the winners of the 2025 National Selection of Official Wines of Ukraine’s Ambassadors, who will represent Ukraine at La Cité du Vin in France.