Analysts track a notable shift in the Russian wine market during the opening months of 2023. Data cited by the agency TASS, drawing on a Kontur analysis, show that the share of Russian-made wine on shelves in retail and hospitality venues rose from the previous year, reaching 58.34 percent in January through March. This uptick marks an increase from 52.21 percent in the same period a year earlier, highlighting a clear climb in domestic product presence across distribution channels. The report notes that within the reporting period the growth is spread across sectors, with a rise of 6.4 percent in catering and 3.6 percent in retail. These shifts are interpreted as a consequence of a mix of public sector support, ongoing development initiatives in the national wine industry, and the impact of sanctions that have altered import dynamics, contributing to a stronger domestic production footprint.
There is a federal program aimed at promoting viticulture and winemaking that includes subsidies to bolster planting material, equipment, and other essential production inputs. Support networks now involve a service that oversees a sizeable roster of wineries, with state backing concentrated in the Krasnodar Territory. In the last decade, the number of state-supported enterprises in this region has more than tripled, underscoring the government’s active role in expanding domestic wine capacity and improving supply resilience. The trend reflects a broader strategy to cultivate local vineyards, improve yields, and foster a robust domestic wine sector that can withstand external pressures while sustaining growth in consumer access to homegrown products. Authorities emphasize that the growth is not incidental but tied to coordinated policy actions and private investment aimed at upgrading infrastructure, modernizing production processes, and expanding distribution networks.
In a related development, the domestic syrup producer Vkusnaya Zhizn pursued a legal action in the second half of April seeking removal of protection from the Aperol and Aperol Spritz trademarks. Reports from Vedomosti indicate that the company filed a lawsuit against Davide Campari Milano, the owner of these brands. The move is described as part of broader trademark considerations affecting popular beverage brands and the evolving competitive landscape within the sector. Observers note that intellectual property dynamics can influence market positioning, especially when domestic manufacturers seek clearer space for local products in a climate of intensified sanctions and regulatory scrutiny. Legal proceedings such as this illustrate the intersection of branding strategy and market access in a shifting consumer goods environment, where both domestic and international players monitor and respond to policy and enforcement trends.