Vladimir Mishelovin: Russian winemakers should more actively enter into competition on the markets of Moscow and St Petersburg

FAS representative made this statement at All-Russian Winemakers Summit

On 14 October 2017, Head of FAS Fiscal Control Department, Vladimir Mishelovin, took part in the VII Russian Winemakers Summit in Abrau-Durso (the Krasnodar region).

At the panel discussion on the problems and prospects of developing Russian wine-making, Vladimir Mishelovin pointed out that one of obvious issues is insufficient awareness of consumers about Russian wines and inefficient use of the opportunities offered under the Law “On Advertising” [1]: advertising in print periodicals, food products exhibitions, TV and radio programmes. “FAS recommends Russian winemakers to enter into competition on the biggest and most promising markets of Moscow and St Petersburg, which will be a guarantee of success across the entire Russia”, said Head of FAS Fiscal Control Department.

Apart from an open meeting of the Union of Winegrowers and Winemakers of Russia (UWWR), the Summit included a tasting trade show of the products of the best Russian wineries. The winners of “UWWR-2107 Cup” contest were announced; the judges included renowned international experts.

The event was attended by top executives of wine-growing and wine-making companies, representatives of legislative and executive bodies, Heads of NGOs protecting the interests of Russian business in this field.

[1] Under Clause 2 Part 21 of No.38 Federal Law “On advertising” of 13.03.2006 (further on referred to as the Law on advertising), there should be no advertisements of alcohol products, except advertising beer and beer-based beverages as well as wine and sparkling wine (champagne) made in the Russian Federation from grapes grown in the Russian Federation, that should not be located on the front and the back newspaper pages and the front and the back pages and cover of magazines (from 31.12.2014).

Clause 2.1 Article 21 of the Law allows advertising of alcohol products with the ethanol content 5% and more of the ready product only in permanently installer trade outlets exercising retail sales of alcohol products, particularly, in degustation halls of such retail facilities. Advertising of wine and sparkling wine (champagne) made in the Russian Federation from grapes grown in the Russian Federation is allowed on food products exhibitions (except baby food) and trade shows of public catering companies (from 31.12.2014).

Clause 8 Article 21 of the Law allows placing, disseminating advertisements of wine and sparkling wine (champagne) made in the Russian Federation from grapes grown in the Russian Federation in TV or radio programmes (except live or recorded transmission of children and youth sport competitions) from 23 p.m. to 7 p.m. local time (from 31.12.2014).