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Russia Seizes Country’s Largest Winemaker Amid Re-Nationalization Wave – RBC

Kuban Vino was reportedly one of four nationalized wine and food companies previously owned by the agricultural holding Ariant.

excessive drinking

Alcohol Dependency in Russia Increases for First Time in a Decade

In 2022, doctors issued 54,200 first-time diagnoses of alcohol use disorder, according to data from the state statistics agency Rosstat.

Russia Accuses Major Vodka Distiller of Funding Ukraine Army

Global Spirits founder Yevhen Cherniak is accused of sending 500 million rubles ($5.5 million) to the Ukrainian army between February and April 2022.

Grape domination

Georgia Overtakes Italy as Top Still Wine Importer to Russia – Kommersant

Georgian wine now accounts for just over 19% of total still wine imports to Russia — the largest share among all other countries.

Escaping in spirits

Alcohol Abuse Plagues Kremlin Elites as War Drags On – Reports

Russian officials appear to have largely ignored Putin’s rare public entreaty made last summer to tamp down on their alcohol consumption.

off the shelves

Famed Armenian Cognac Brand Halts Exports to Russia

The Russian market accounts for about 80% of all Ararat exports.

Drinks Group Pernod Ricard Announces Russia Pullout

The French drinks giant had faced public pressure over its continued business activities in Russia.

Russia to Delay Champagne Label Law by 2 Months – France

Only Russian producers of sparkling wines can use the term in Cyrillic, a move that caused outrage in France's Champagne region.

MOONSHINE DEATHS

Alcohol Poisoning Kills 17 Russians

The Kremlin has campaigned against illicit alcohol for years.

bubbling dispute

France, Russia in Talks on Halting Champagne Label Law

Russia banned the use of the Russian translation of champagne on imported bottles, sparking outrage in France's Champagne region.

RUSSIAN BUBBLES

Russia's Oldest Sparkling Wine Producer Begins Grape Harvest

This year's vintage could be marred by a dispute that erupted when Russia passed a law saying only Russian bubbly can be called "Champagne."

grapes of wrath

French Champagne Houses Cry Foul Over Russian Label Rule

President Vladimir Putin signed a law that will forbid the use of the Russian translation of champagne on imported bottles.

Russian Law Takes Fizz Out of French Champagne Supplies

Russian elites could soon find themselves without their favorite French bubbles if Moet Hennessy makes good on a threat to halt champagne supplies following...

nuclear moonshine

Ukraine Seizes First Batch of ‘Chernobyl Spirits’ Bound for UK

The Chernobyl Spirit Company accused Ukrainian law enforcement of damaging Ukraine's reputation “as an open country for doing business.”

MCGREGOR EFFECT?

Russia Gets a Taste For Irish Whiskey

Russia is now the second largest market for Irish whiskey in the world.

6 Days Off Booze Is Enough for Russia’s Coronavirus Vaccine, Developer Says

The comments come after officials overseeing Russia’s Covid-19 response urged Sputnik V recipients to abstain from alcohol for nearly two months.

No Alcohol for 2 Months, Russia Tells Coronavirus Vaccine Recipients

The vaccine's developer later clarified that "a single glass of champagne never hurt anyone."

fatal consumption

7 Die From Drinking Hand Sanitizer at Party in Russia

Two others survived but remain connected to a mechanical ventilator in a coma.

Russia Mulls Raising Legal Drinking Age After Deaths Spike

Russia's health minister said the number of alcohol-related deaths has increased during the coronavirus outbreak.

In Russia Virus Lockdown, Fears of a Return to the Bottle

Alcohol purchases in Russia jumped after authorities imposed lockdown orders in late March.

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