Bacchus has been producing wine and spirits in Kazakhstan since 1948. At the Bacchus supermarket that’s part of its Gogol HQ it’s possible to purchase the complete range, from red and white wines to authentically-produced (if not named) ‘Champagne’ to high-quality Batyr and Zhenis cognacs. Souvenir-hunters should seek out the aged ‘Baiterek’ cognac that comes in a bottle shaped like the Astana tower of the same name or the ‘Kazakhstan’ and ‘Soviet’ champagnes. It’s even possible to tour the winery, with trips running every Tuesday and Thursday from 9am that should be booked at least five days in advance. Prices start at 800 KZT for the tour plus wine tasting but we say go the whole hog with an ‘extra premium’ experience for 2,300 KZT, which includes the above as well as a brandy and cognac degustation and a demonstration of the Champagne-making process. Tours are in Russian or Kazakh but English-speakers can arrange to bring a translator with them.