Russia to invest in Crimean wine industry

Vineyard plantings in Crimea are set to increase by 60% as the Russian Government plan up to EUR250m investment in the crimean wine industry. The growth is forecast to allow for a significant reduction in imports currently comprising 80% of the Russian wine market. The plans also include the creation of a formal holding to be known as Wines of Crimea. Some hope that the establishment of this wine cluster in Crimea will encourage the development of the entire Russian wine industry. Four fifths of wines sold in Russia are poor quality semi-sweet varieties and involve the use of concentrate.
There have been calls for French-turned-Russian actor Gerard Depardieu who has taken to Russia to avoid taxes in France - to be the face of Crimean wine.