Kovalchuk pointed to the potential of science for Russian wine producers

Applying the results of comprehensive research conducted in Russia in the field of grape genetics will help domestic producers stay ahead of their competitors. This was announced on October 14 by Mikhail Kovalchuk, President of the Kurchatov Institute National Research Center.

"It became obvious that, as in any other field — in microelectronics, nuclear energy, and space, we cannot catch up with anyone, we can only overtake — and we can overtake here in wine <...> only based on a scientific basis," he said at the presentation of the program. The Russian Wine Forum.

Kovalchuk clarified that we are talking about the introduction of the results of research on grape genetics into the wine industry. According to the president of the Kurchatov Institute, computer power previously used to solve problems in the field of physics is now 70-80% used in the field of genetics.

The scientist also pointed out the positive impact of the law on the regulation of Russian wine production, which Russian President Vladimir Putin signed in 2019.

"Adoption of the law <...> it would have been impossible if not for the president's will and personal involvement and interest in this. <...> It was not possible <...> to adopt such a law either in tsarist or Soviet times. <...> And as soon as the law was passed, the picture [in the wine industry] changed radically," he said Kovalchuk.

He noted that over the past five years after the adoption of the law, more than 50% — almost 60% — of the domestic wine market has been occupied by Russian producers, and the steps in the field of winemaking have been correct.

Degree-free prospects: consumption of non-alcoholic beer in the Russian Federation increased by 8%

According to experts, Russians are increasingly opting for such drinks because of their healthy lifestyle.

On September 20, Roskachestvo analysts told Izvestia that domestic wineries are refocusing on producing sparkling wines of the most "dry" categories — brut and extra-brut. The traditionally popular semi-sweet wine continues to fall. It was noted that pink sparkling wines have become fashionable, the production of which is growing faster than white wines.

According to Roskachestvo, domestic producers are responding to the growing demand for domestic sparkling wine by increasing sparkling wine production in the most sought-after categories and building stocks for New Year's Eve sales. In the first six months of this year, according to the USAIS, more than 72 million liters of sparkling wines of all types were produced, which is 18% higher than in the same period last year. The growth continued in July and August. In just eight months, over 104 million liters of Russian wine were produced.

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