For most aficionados, a sparkling wine can be called champagne only if it comes from the region of France with that name and is made under certain regulations. A new Russian law makes the counter-claim that the word can be used only for Russian wine.
The law has sparked controversy and the renowned winemaker Moet-Hennessy said Monday it was suspending champagne shipments to Russia. The law that was adopted on Friday allows the term to used only for “Russian champagne.”
Since Soviet times, champagne — “shampanskoye” in Russian — has been used as a generic term for a wide range of sparling wines, some of which contradict champagne’s luxury image by selling for as little as 150 rubles ($2) a bottle.
“These provisions lead to a temporary suspension of deliveries of products to assess the impact of this new law,” Moet-Hennessy spokeswoman Anne Catherine Grimal said, according to state news agency RIA-Novosti.
Even the head of one of Russia’s major winemakers thinks the law goes too far.
”For me, there is no doubt that real champagne comes from the Champagne region in France,” Pavel Titov, president of Abrau-Dyurso, told RIA-Novosti. “It is very important to protect Russian wines in our market and provide them with comprehensive patronage. But the legislative measures taken must be reasonable and not contradict common sense.”
Global Gaming League's founder Clinton Sparks and chairman Jeff Hoffman on their mission to bridge competitive eSports with mainstream celebrity culture.
AEVEX CEO Roger Wells joins to discuss the company's IPO and what it means for the future of autonomous defense systems in an era of rapid military innovation.
What does AI actually mean for the US economy? Andrew Husby of BNP Paribas breaks down the macro signals, risks, and opportunities hiding in plain sight.
Dominick Passanante of Panasonic Connect breaks down the innovations behind TOUGHBOOK and why rugged tech is more relevant than ever in today's mobile workforce
Voya Financial CEO Heather Lavallee marks 10 years of Voya Cares, spotlighting research and expanding financial access for Americans with disabilities.
When Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (above) and Fed chair Jay Powell jointly summon America’s top bankers to a meeting in Washington, you know it’s big.
Kim Crawford Goodman, CEO of Smarsh, breaks down how financial firms are scaling AI while managing compliance, risk, and regulation in a changing landscape.
