Italy is entering the new harvest season with substantial stocks of wine, raising concerns as export figures show a declining trend, with Russia being an exception.
Despite many companies pulling out of Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, wine imports have risen. Increased duty rates on wines from 'unfriendly countries' are, however, now likely to have a radical impact on the range of wines on offer. Sergey Panov reports.
After a Russian military attack in 2022 on the glass production facility in Gostomel near Kiev, Vetropack cautiously resumes operations. Safety measures have been implemented to protect the staff and the facility.
Russia’s invasion has touched every part of Ukraine’s wine economy. Looted wineries, sommeliers turned soldiers, and destroyed warehouses are only part of it, as Sergey Panov reports.
Russia used to be almost synonymous with vodka. Today, consumers are happy to pay a higher price for examples of the spirit that come from France or the UK.
Nearly eight months after Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in February 2022, despite sanctions and decisions by wine producers to leave the Russian market, sales in Russia are surprisingly vibrant. Sergey Panov reveals how Russian lawmakers, parallel traders, offshore companies and Kazakh consignees have all played their part.
When he is not focusing his attention on his invasion of Ukraine, the Russian president and his entourage take a particular interest in wine. Last year, laws allowing domestic wine to be described as shampanskoe on official labels while Champagne could only be called ‘sparkling wine’ hit the headlines. But, as Sergey Panov reveals, other moves have been far more significant.
Austria was the first country in the world to cultivate a farm according to organic principles. In the century since, the commitment to nature has only become stronger.
