Opa! for Greece and Wine

Filed in archive Greek Wines on December 3, 2006

I haven't reported much about the whole Russia - Georgia - Moldova - wine thing going on over there.

I know this is a pun but I can't help myself: Sounds like sour grapes to me :)

But, this article - Greece may replace Georgia, Moldova on Russian wine market - caught my eye and I thought worth talking about since this is really old news now. I mean, if you read about wine at all on-line, then you probably already knew about all of this bickering going on:

Greek wines have the opportunity to expand their share on the Russian market following bans on wine imports from Georgia and Moldova, an agriculture minister said Monday.

Russia banned wines from Georgia and Moldova in March, which had accounted for over 50% of the market, on health and safety grounds.

"Since well-known producers of poor-quality wines have left the Russian market, Greece has gained some advantages," Alexei Gordeyev told a news conference on the sidelines of the first presentation of Greek wines and food products in Moscow.

He said it was difficult to forecast the share of Greek wines on the Russian market, as this will depend on Greek producers, who have been traditionally oriented to the domestic market.

"We welcome Greek products," he said, adding that famously high-quality Greek wines, olive oil and other farm products would be welcome on the rapidly expanding Russian market.

Greek Minister of Rural Development and Foods Evangelos Basiakos said his country was ready to increase agricultural supplies, including wine, to Russia.

You go Greece! I love your history, culture, and people, and you know, I don't drink enough of your wine. I'm going to change that now!