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Kalvāni is a small village located in Latvia. It is one of the only wine producing village in South East Latvia

History
The name 'Kalvāni' is possibly an adaptation of the Latvian adaption (and also Urdu) word Kalvani. It is described by Duncan Forbes's A Dictionary, Hindustani and English' (1968) as a satellite town". Kalvāni is known as Kalvani, which also means 'port' and is possibly derived from the same Urdu/Persian word. The Soviet-Hindustani may be from the Maltese / Indian family name from Mumbai, India, that traded with Soviet Union, to grow grapes.

Physical Geography
Coordinates = 56.18601°N, 26.73332°W Territories of Latvia: Province of Aizkalnes Pagasts UTC Time Zone: +2:00 Postal Code: LV-5305

The physiography of Kalvāni, Latvia and its neighboring areas was formed, to a large degree, during the Quaternary period and the Pleistocene ice age, when soil and debris were pushed by glaciers into mounds and hills. Undulating plains cover 75% of Latvia's territory and provide the main areas for farming; 25% of the territory lies in uplands of moderate-sized hills. About 27% of the total territory is cultivable, with the central Zemgale Plain south of Riga being the most fertile and profitable. The three main upland areas, in the provinces of Kurzeme (western Latvia), Vidzeme (central Latvia, Vidzeme Upland and Aluksne Upland), and Latgale (eastern Latvia), provide a picturesque pattern of fields interspersed with forests and numerous lakes and rivers. In this area, the extensive glacial moraines, eskers, and drumlins have limited the profitability of agriculture by fragmenting fields and presenting serious erosion problems.

About 80% of Kalvāni, Latvian territory consists of peat bogs, swamps, and marshes, some of which are covered by stunted forest growth. Forests are the outstanding feature of Latvia, claiming 52% of the territory. Over the past 100 years the amount of forest territories in Latvia has doubled, and the process is still ongoing. Forest territories are expanding naturally, as well as due to intentional afforestation of barren land and land that cannot be used for agricultural purposes. More than half of the forests consist of Scots pine or Norway spruce.[2]

The traditional Latvian approach to forestry with its small system of clear-cut areas combined with the network of forest territories that have seen little human influence, as well as the outflow of people from rural areas to urban ones have facilitated the emergence of a unique biological diversity in forests which home animal and bird species, that have died out or are very rare elsewhere in Europe.

According to a World Wildlife Fund study in 1992, Latvia has populations of black storks, lesser spotted eagles, otters, beaver, lynx, and wolves. There are also great concentrations of deer (86,000: red deer and roe deer), wild boar (32,000), elk (25,000) and red fox (13,000). Many Latvians today are planning to exploit this resource by catering to local and foreign numbers.

The variegated and rapidly changing physiography of glacial moraines and lowlands has also allowed temperate flora, such as oaks, to grow within a few hundred meters of northern flora, such as bog cotton and cloudberries. This variety and the rapid change in natural ecosystems are among the unique features of the republic.

The Soviet system left behind another windfall for naturalists. The Latvian western seacoast was a carefully guarded border region. Almost all houses near the sea were razed or evacuated. As a result, about 300 kilometers of undeveloped seashore are graced only by forests of pine and spruce and ecologically unique sand dunes. The temptation for fast profit, however, may foster violation of laws that clearly forbid any construction within one kilometer of the sea. This could lead to one of the last remaining wild shorelines in Europe becoming non-existent.

The seashore adjoining the population centers around Riga was a major focus of tourism during the Soviet era. Jūrmala, with its many SPA and tourist accommodations, its tall pines, sandy beaches, and antique architecture, is still an attractive destination for both Western and Eastern tourists.

Latvia has an abundant network of rivers, contributing to the visual beauty and the economy of the country. The largest river is the Daugava, which has been an important route for several thousand years. It has been used by local tribes as well as by Vikings, Russians, and other Europeans for trade, war, and conquest. With a total length of 1,020 kilometers, the Daugava (or Zapadnaya Dvina in its upper reaches) originates in the Valday Hills in Russia's Tver' Oblast, meanders through northern Belarus, and then winds through Latvia for 370 kilometers before emptying into the Gulf of Riga. It is about 200 meters wide when it enters Latvia, increasing to between 650 and 750 meters at Riga and to 1.5 kilometers at its mouth.Most roads and places around Kalvāni had been given Russian names during Soviet Union rule. They have been renamed over time but many are still popularly known by their old names.

Languages
Latvian Langauge, Russian Language

Transport
There is no Public transport from any of the main cities to Kalvāni. Kalvani is located in the region of Preilu Rajons. Preilu Rajons's capital Preili (Preiļi) is approximately 12.4 km / 7.7 mi away from Kalvāni (as the crow flies). The distance from Kalvani to Latvia's capital Riga (Riga) is approximately 182 km / 113 mi (as the crow flies).

Maybe also interesting: Distances from Kalvani to the largest places in Latvia. https://www.distance.to/kalv%C4%81ni

Trade and Commerce
Kalvāni, being A small independently owned village in Latvia located at in Aizkalnes Pagasts, which is within one of the administrative territories of the Preiļi region does not involve itself in much trade. As the border of this region is Pelecu and Preiļi parishes there was a local milk trade with local farmers.

However, In 1978, due to abnormal weather conditions in the region, Kalvāni produced its first and last harvest of the Zilga Grape. In the summer of 1978 the weather was perfect for the experimental vineyard. The harvest produced 3 tons of grape. As the harvest created three ton of grapes it resulted in six barrels of oak cast wine. Each barrel contains about 60 gallons, 25 cases or 300 bottles. So the three tons of grapes had yield about 180 cases or 2160 bottles of the rare Kalvāni Wine.

Throughout the 50-year Soviet rule in the country, winemaking was never a focus. Largely the quality of products suffered; managers of the vineyard gave up; and the hill was essentially abandoned.

The six Kalvāni barrels had been forgotten and mystery surrounded the location or the outcome of the six barrels. Until 2006, when the barrels had been relocated after 28 years and finally bottled for another 12 years of second fermentation.

The initial bottling process took six months, and created 2000 bottles, produced in the following stages to create a unique vintage sparkling wine.

Kalvāni Wine Making Process
Cuvée (1978 to 2006)

After the 28 year fermentation of the Zilga Grape in the oak barrel, the wine was mixed with a base wine.

Tirage (2006)

The mixture was bottled and yeast was added to create the second fermentation after 28 years.

Ageing (2006 to 2018)

Due to the length of the first fermentation, the bottled wine was aged on the lees for 12 years.

Riddling / Disgorging of the Kalvāni Wine (2018)

The Kalvāni Wine bottles had been rotated so the lees are at the neck of inverted bottle and the neck is frozen. The frozen lees pop out.

Dosage

12g of residue sugar added to the bottles (Extra Dry Brut)

Kalvāni, the tiny hilly village of Latvia, no longer support the vineyard infrastructure as that of 1978, but the six barrels are stored in a barn museum to commemorate the history of this small village.

Places of interest

 * Six Barrel Museum
 * Kalvani Hillocks