Ep 2393 Denis Salimzianov of ABR Restaurant Group | Asia Wine Market: Almaty Special Edition

Welcome to Episode 2393 and the tenth episode of the special series focusing on the Asian Wine Market. In today’s episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova interviews Denis Salimzianov of ABR Restaurant Group.

 

Key Learning Objectives:

• Learn about ABR, one of the biggest restaurant chains in Almaty.

• Explore the Blanca and Astra restaurants, their wine lists, what is trending among consumers, and their bestselling Italian wines.

• Get to know what wine styles or varieties have a potential in the market.

Asia Wine Market is a new podcast series from the Italian Wine Podcast that explores the fast-growing wine markets across Asia. Designed for wine professionals, importers, and producers, the series highlights regional trends, consumer behavior, and business opportunities for Italian wine exports.

 

Through 10 exclusive episodes, this series offers insights from key industry players and builds up to the Vinitaly Kazakhstan Roadshow 2025 — a strategic event connecting Italian wineries with Central Asian wine importers, sommeliers, and distributors. Whether you're looking to enter the wine market or expand your brand presence in Central Asia, this series is your starting point.

 

Today’s guest: Denis Salimzianov

Denis Salimzianov began his career as a vascular surgeon in Moscow, but life had other plans. After relocating to Almaty, everything changed: wine, once a personal passion, became his true calling. Today, Denis is recognized as one of Kazakhstan’s leading sommeliers. He is a certified Italian Wine Ambassador and holds the prestigious ASI Diploma. He currently serves as a chef sommelier at Blanca and Astra restaurants in Almaty which belong to ABR Restaurant Group.

His background in medicine gave him discipline, precision, and analytical thinking—qualities that have propelled his swift rise in the wine world. Denis’s style blends deep knowledge with theatrical flair and a hint of rebellion. From the operating room to the tasting room, his story is told - one bottle at a time.

Connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.dionis/# 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denis.salimzanov 

 

Today’s host:  Roza Zharmukhambetova

Roza Zharmukhambetova has a background in foreign languages and education. She discovered her passion for wine in Beijing, where she gained two years of experience in wine sales. Since returning to Kazakhstan, she has focused on studying Italian wine and exploring its regions. 

 

Roza holds certifications as an Italian Wine Ambassador (VIA), Italian Wine Scholar (WSG), Langhe Wines Ambassador (BBA), and Valpolicella Wine Specialist (VEP). She is also a member of the Kazakhstan Sommelier Association. Since late last year, she has been a member of the Italian Wine Podcast (IWP) team, contributing her passion for Italian wine.

 

Connect:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roza.zharmukhambetova

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_vin_enrose/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rozazharmukhambetova/

 

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Until next time, Cin Cin!