Putin interferes with champagne legislation
New law: champagne may no longer be called champagne in Russia. The name remains reserved for Russian sparkling wine, while the distinguished French champagnes must put ‘sparkling wine’ on the label and may no longer use the word ‘champagne’. It could be that President Putin has had a little finger in the pie (or champagne).
Vladimir Putin signed a new Russian law on 1 July, stating that sparkling wine from abroad may no longer be called champagne in his country. This applies to cava and prosecco, but also to… champagne. That’s right: the one and only official champagne must put ‘sparkling wine’ on the label in Russia.
Champagne yoghurt? Forbidden
European legislation surrounding champagne is fairly strict. Only wines from the Champagne region may be called champagne, and the French are extremely passionate when it comes to protecting that name. Fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent faced a lawsuit when he introduced the perfume Champagne. In 1985, Perrier ran an advertising campaign in Germany in which the mineral water was called ‘The champagne of spring waters’. Not a chance, ruled the Champagne Committee.
Champagne shampoo? Yoghurt with champagne flavour? Champagne cigarettes? No, no and no. The Champagne Committee’s legal department is working overtime to combat all fake champagnes and everything bearing the word champagne
EU, do something!
Why is Putin getting his way now? The Association of Champagne Houses is wondering the same thing. They call it an unacceptable rule. The Champagne Committee wants the European Union to intervene. None of that is happening; in fact, champagne producer Moët is already putting new stickers on the bottles. Champagne is popular in Russia; Russia imports 6.5 million litres of Champagne every year.
Friends by coincidence
The new law concerns the protection of Soviet champagne, sparkling wine from Russia. Putin believes Russian winemakers should be supported. But it is mainly Putin’s friends who benefit from the new law, such as Yuri Kovalchuk, owner of a vineyard in Crimea where Soviet champagne is produced, and Boris Titov, Putin’s adviser who also owns a Soviet champagne company.
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Source: NRC
