French Champagne Industry Group is angry at new Russian law Reuters

PARIS/MOSCOW (Reuters)-The French Champagne Industry Group on Monday criticized a new Russian law that forces foreign producers to add the word “sparkling wine” to their champagne bottles and called for a stop to exports of this to Russia. Sparkling wine.

The law signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday requires all foreign sparkling wine producers to describe their products on the back of the bottle (although not on the front), and Russian “shampanskoye” manufacturers may continue to use it. It is a single word.

The French champagne industry organization called on its members to temporarily stop shipping to Russia, and stated that the name “Champagne” refers to the region where the drink comes from France and is protected by law in 120 countries.

“The Champagne Commission regrets that this legislation fails to ensure that Russian consumers have clear and transparent information about the origin and characteristics of wine,” the group’s co-chairs Maxime Toubat and Jean-Marie Bariller wrote in a report. Said in the statement.

French Trade Minister Franck Riester said that he is paying close attention to the new Russian law and keeping in touch with the wine industry and France’s European partners.

He said on Twitter: “We will unswervingly support our producers and the excellence of France.”

Moët Hennessy, the maker of French Veuve Clicquot and Dom Perignon under LVMH, said on Sunday that in order to comply with the law, it will begin labeling “sparkling wine” on the back of bottles shipped to Russia.

LVMH shares fell about 0.2% on Monday afternoon, lagging behind the Paris Stock Exchange, which rose 0.34%.

The shares of Russian sparkling wine maker Abrau-Durso rose more than 3% after rising 7.77% in early trading.

Pavel Titov, president of Abrau-Durso, told Radio France Internationale on Saturday that his company does not have a sparkling wine called “champagne” in its product portfolio, and said that he hopes this issue can be resolved to support global norms and standards .

“It is very important to protect the Russian wines on our market. But the legislation must be reasonable and not against common sense… I have no doubt that the real champagne is produced in the Champagne region of France,” he said.

The European Commission stated that Russia’s legislation on spirits and wine will have a considerable impact on wine exports and will do its best to express its disagreements and concerns.

European Commission spokesperson Miriam Garcia Ferrer said: “If the law comes into effect, we will do everything we can to protect our rights and take necessary measures.”

When asked what countermeasures the EU can take against Russian law, she said that it is too early to discuss this situation.