In a recent interview, the official clarified that Russian wine is sold predominantly through trade channels, with the remark attributed to Viktor Evtukhov, the Minister of State and Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade. The statement underscored how a well-organized distribution network supports domestic producers, ensuring that varieties of wine reach a wide array of retailers, from small independents to large supermarket chains, and that the channel mix plays a critical role in shaping consumer access and pricing dynamics across the country.
Industry insiders and market researchers assess the current market structure by looking at the latest retail data. They note that roughly 52 percent of still domestic wines and about 68 percent of sparkling domestic wines on the market today are represented within the nation’s retail chains. This share reflects the impact of concentrated shelf space, national brand programs, and the ongoing push by local producers to maintain visibility in both mainstream and specialty outlets. Analysts point out that distributor partnerships and in-store promotions have become central to expanding the footprint of homegrown wines, even as imported varieties compete for attention in the same retail environments.
Public officials actively support market expansion and the elevation of local wine brands. To that end, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture coordinate initiatives such as the “Wine Days of Russia” campaign, which aims to showcase domestic winemaking to consumers, win over new audiences, and reinforce pride in national products. Deputy ministers have emphasized that wine fairs have proven to be a powerful sales channel, enabling makers to connect directly with retailers, restaurateurs, and consumers while providing a platform for tastings, brand storytelling, and business matchmaking that bolsters overall market momentum.
In early October, Roskachestvo released findings indicating that the appeal of foreign wine in Russia had reached a record low in the prior two years. The survey revealed that only 17 percent of citizens believed foreign wines were of higher quality than their domestic counterparts. Conversely, 22 percent of respondents asserted that Russian wines surpass imports in quality, signaling a growing consumer preference for locally produced products and a reassessment of imports among discerning buyers. This shift has fueled broader conversations about quality control, terroir, and the investment needed to sustain improvements across the domestic wine sector, including vineyard development, aging technologies, and improved labeling and transparency to help consumers make informed choices.
Additionally, recent market dynamics have shown a notable uptick in beer imports, reflecting shifting consumer tastes and the broader regulatory or logistical factors affecting beverage categories. While wine consumption patterns display resilience through domestic production and marketing efforts, beer imports illustrate the fast-moving nature of the alcohol category in Russia, where consumer preferences, price points, and distribution networks all interact to shape the competitive landscape for producers and retailers alike.