Last Monday, Presidential Commissioner for Entrepreneurs’ Rights Boris Titov met a group of members of Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Russia. Among other matters, record and prospects of winemaking in Russia were discussed.
It is essential to both attract new large investors to the industry and assist small local producers, Titov said, noting the attitude of the consumers towards Russian-made wines has now become positive, while the authorities came to realize the industry’s significance and advantages.
Some winemakers already supply top tier white wines including Rieslings. Both well established and absolutely new wineries in Russia’s south employ most advanced technologies these days and there is no doubt now that Russia has high quality terroirs which in some cases are superior to those of the leading wine producing nations. Besides, there are some indigenous grape varieties that have been cultivated for 1,500 years and date back to Noah’s times.
Persistent efforts have been made to improve laws regulating the industry, and the concept of apellation has been finally accepted in Russia. Further adjustments to the laws are to be made to serve the interests of winemakers and the country.