Wine Spectator: Russia Targets Champagne With Controversial Labeling Law

Producers in the Champagne region of France are in an uproar over a new law in Russia that they believe infringes on the protected name of Champagne for wines sold in Russia. The legislation, signed by Russian president Vladimir Putin on July 1, affects the back label of any bottle of bubbly from a non-Russian producer.

The word “shampanskoye,” Russian for “Champagne,” may no longer appear on the back label, neither in Cyrillic characters nor alliterated in the Latin alphabet. Non-Russian producers must instead categorize their wine simply as “sparkling wine,” in Cyrillic letters. Only sparkling wine made by Russian wineries will be allowed to continue using “shampanskoye” on labels. Wine Spectator has the full story.—Alison Napjus

Tagged : Champagne, Wine Spectator

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