Today on talkRADIO, we raise a toast to some brands that are raising much needed funds to support charities helping those in need in Ukraine. From beer to vodka and even wine, there;’s something for everyone, so buy what you can and call it a party!

Dima’s Vodka (40% ABV)

Dimas Vodka is the Ukrainian Vodka brand that has been on every drinks writer’s radar since it won gold at the IWSC awards at the start of the year and then massively since the conflict began. Owner Dima Deinega has been spearheading various charitable events and creating producing to raise funds to support Ukraine so it’s worth checking out their instagram @vodkadimas so see the latest. The vodka itself hails from a 125-year-old distillery on the outskirts of Kyiv and is made (unusually) with three grains: barley, rye and wheat. This combination along with Ukraine's black supersoils give the vodka a velvety smoothness,. Making it a good sipping vodka. On the bottle, you’ll see a modern version of the national coat of arms of Ukraine. Try it with a pickle the way they do in Ukraine!

Follow @vodkadimas for various charity events such as Feast for Ukraine this Saturday at Brigade, 139 Tooley Street, London. There’s also currently a limited edition, painted bottle auction happening.

Vodka is £35 from dimasvodka.com

Copper Rivet Distillery

Copper Rivet Distillery based in Chatham’s Royal Dockyard iis Kent’s only grain to glass distillery, producing excellent gin, whisky and vodka from scratch in small batches from bespoke stills. To help Ukraine, they are pledging £5 from every Copper Rivet Distillery webstore purchase of 50cl bottle of Dockyard Gin, Masthouse Whisky, Vela Vodka and Son of a Gun to the Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal and Unicef to support the invaluable work they are doing in and around Ukraine. You can now visit them and take a tour before stopping for lunch in their glorious new restaurant too.

We’re showing the strawberry gin today, made with real strawberries infused into the spirit for a natural, elegant strawberry sweetness.

Strawberry gin is £32 from Copperrivetdistillery.com

Virgin Wines: The Benevolent Range

Virgin Wines has launched The Benevolent Range, which is a special, charitable wine collection to raise funds for its charity partners, British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal, The Leeway Domestic Abuse Charity and Bright Start. They have teamed up with some outstanding winemakers to create three phenomenal new wines; a South Australian Cabernet Blend, a Chilean Pinot Grigio and a Carménère, also from Chile at accessible price point of £9.99 with £1 from each bottle going to the company’s charity partners. Each of the wines are available at to buy by the case, mixed case with 4 bottles of each. Virgin Wines will donate £12 to charity for every case sold.

See more here at Virgin Wines

The Harbour Beer Co. Stand with IPA (5.5% ABV)

The Cornwall based Harbour Beer Company have created this hazy IPA beer to show solidarity with Ukraine, with profits from sales going to the @disastersemergencycommittee who bring together 15 leading UK aid charities, raising funds quickly and effectively for overseas disasters.

Labels were created and donated by @eclipselabels for free to maximize profits. YOu can buy a pack of 12. X 330ml cans on their website.

Find them here for £24 from harbourbrewing.com

See what else we have tasted on talkRADIO here!

Words by Colin Hampden-White

I judge spirits for the IWSC including vodka. Technically speaking, a vodka should get a high score if it is clean and clear meaning there is very little flavour, and it is smooth with good clarity. Every year this brings about a conversation between the judges regarding vodka which has flavour. Not that the vodka is flavoured, but that there is a positive flavour. This can reflect the materials the vodka has been made from, for example, an earthy flavour where the vodka has been made of potatoes, or a light cereal note when made from wheat. The texture also comes into play with vodka being creamy in texture being scored highly. The general consensus between judges these days is that a clear clean vodka gets a high score, but a vodka that has great texture and taste, as well as clarity, will get an even higher score.

This brings me to a vodka that has won medals recently and as it was tasted blind, I only got to drink it under its brand name relatively recently. Good friend Douglas Blyde suggested I try Dima’s Vodka. A Ukrainian vodka created by its namesake Dima Deinega. Dima, although brought up in the UK is from Ukraine and has a passion for vodka.

What Does Dima’s Vodka Taste Like?

Dima’s Vodka is made from three types of organic grain. Wheat, Rye and Barley. These three grains give the vodka flavour without the vodka tasting like it has been flavoured in any way. The flavours are subtle but include a nuttiness on the nose together with a biscuit aroma. The palate brings in rye bread and hints of vanilla, a cereal earthiness and is sweet with fabulous viscosity allowing the spirit to be held on the palate to warm and develop. The finish brings in a liquorish note alongside the nutty flavour and there is a light chilli spice. This spirit can be savoured and is very flexible.

How Should I Drink Dima’s Vodka?

It makes a great base for cocktails as it can stand up to other favours well. Chilled it makes a great martini and keeping a bottle in the freezer is an excellent idea. However, in Ukraine, they eat pickles with vodka and a small, chilled pickle alongside a neat shot of Dima’s Vodka is a great way to experience the flavours of the vodka as the sweet flavours are cut by the salty and crunchy pickle.

It’s not often I single out specific products for praise, but I will continue to do so if a product really stands out as excellent in its category, and Dima’s Vodka certainly does that.

If you would like to support the people of Ukraine during this terrible time, please have a look at the following links:

British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal – Red Cross is raising funds and supplies for those affected. By donating you will help get food, water, medical supplies, clothes and shelter to those who need it.

savelife.in.ua – This Ukrainian non-governmental organisation is urging people to donate to help.

The Ukrainian Institute London has also put together a really helpful list of different ways in which you can help Ukraine and its people.

Looking for something else to read? Why not check out The World’s Best Vodka or The Best Value Vodka for Martinis?

talkRADIO: Drinks supporting Ukraine