Maslyana (also known as Butter Week or Cheesefare Week) is an ancient holiday marking the farewell to winter and the welcoming of spring. In Ukraine, it is celebrated the week before Great Lent. In Christian tradition, it is the last week when dairy products, butter, and eggs are allowed — hence the name. In Britain it is called Shrovetide / Pancake Day — but it is a bit different holiday, close by its idea. 

Its roots, however, are pagan. It was once a celebration of the sun, warmth, and renewal. Pancakes symbolize the sun — round, golden, and life-giving.

Why we celebrate:

• to say goodbye to winter
• to welcome spring and a good harvest
• to gather with family
• to ask forgiveness before Lent

Traditionally, people bake pancakes, visit friends, sing, and celebrate with joy.
It’s a holiday of warmth, unity, and new beginnings.

Here are three festive pancake recipes with a wine twist — aromatic, elegant, and truly special.

1. Pancakes with Cherry–Merlot Sauce with Kolonist Merlot

For the pancakes:
2 eggs
250 ml milk
150 g flour
1 tbsp sugar
A pinch of salt

For the sauce:
200 g cherries (fresh or frozen)
100 ml red wine Merlot
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp cornstarch

Preparation:
Cook thin pancakes. Simmer cherries with wine and sugar for 7–10 minutes. Add cornstarch to thicken. Pour warm sauce over pancakes.

Flavor: rich, berry-forward, with an elegant wine note.

2. Pancakes with Caramelized Apples in Kolonist Semi-Dry Riesling

For the pancakes:
2 eggs
250 ml milk
150 g flour
1 tbsp sugar

A pinch of saltFor the filling:
2 apples
50 g butter
2 tbsp sugar
70 ml semi-dry Riesling 
A pinch of cinnamon

Preparation:
Sauté sliced apples in butter. Add sugar to caramelize. Pour in wine and simmer for 5 minutes. Fill the pancakes.

Flavor: warm, comforting, with light wine freshness.

3. Chocolate Pancakes with Odesa Black Wine–Orange Sauce 

For the batter:
2 eggs
250 ml milk
140 g flour
2 tbsp cocoa
2 tbsp sugar

For the sauce:
Juice of 1 orange
80 ml red wine
2 tbsp honey
Orange zest

Preparation:
Add cocoa to the batter and cook pancakes. Warm orange juice, wine, and honey in a saucepan. Add zest and simmer 5 minutes. Drizzle over pancakes.

Flavor: deep, chocolatey, festive, and impressive.

Sommelier’s tip:
Use dry or semi-dry wine for sauces — it enhances aroma without making the dessert overly sweet.