Zilch and splash: champagne in Russia has risen in price by 10.2% over the year
Russian champagne has risen in price by an average of 10.2% over the year. At the same time, no new price hikes are expected before the New Year holidays. This was stated by Dmitry Leonov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Rusprodsoyuz Association. Today, a festive drink costs an average of 565.9 rubles per liter. Why champagne is getting more expensive, whether it is worth waiting for an increase in prices for other alcohol and how much it is in demand in today's Russia — read the Izvestia article.
The price of champagne in Russia in 2025
Russian champagne rose in price by an average of 10.2% over the year, and in general, in October 2025, there was a significant increase in retail prices for alcoholic beverages compared to October 2024. Dmitry Leonov, deputy Chairman of the Board of the Rusprodsoyuz association, notes that a price jump is not expected by the end of December: retail chains are trying to sell goods at discounts and promotions.
According to Rusprodsoyuz, the cost of champagne varies from region to region: in Moscow, a liter costs an average of 640.6 rubles, in St. Petersburg - 621.4 rubles. Sparkling wine will cost the residents of Sakhalin the most — 965.6 rubles per liter, and the natives of Dagestan the cheapest — 344.7 rubles per liter.
At the same time, the largest increase in prices was recorded for mass demand items — vodka and beer. Foam rose in price by 17.4%, the highest increase among alcoholic beverages. The cost of vodka has increased by 15.5% over the year.
More moderate, but also significant growth rates were observed for wines: fortified grape wine rose in price by 13.6%, table wine — by 11.8%, and sparkling wine — by 10.2%. Cognac prices increased by 12.0%.
Why is alcohol getting more expensive
In general, all categories of alcoholic beverages showed double-digit price growth rates, outpacing the overall inflation rate, says Denis Ternovsky, an expert at the Economic Policy Foundation.
— Sparkling wine is traditionally cheaper in November and December: producers and sellers stimulate demand on the eve of the holidays. Thus, the seasonal factor will smooth out the price increase, while sparkling wine will not rise in price in December," he suggested.
The cost of alcohol is affected by rising costs: from rising fuel prices and credit resources to an increase in the wage fund, according to the experts interviewed.
— So, gasoline in 2025 is growing in price twice as fast as inflation, which makes logistics more and more expensive, says Tatiana Podolskaya, an expert at the Presidential Academy. "In the premium segment, the transportation component reaches 15% of the final price," she says.
Specific reasons
In 2025, the market of natural sparkling wines in Russia was characterized by a moderate increase in prices, the Analytical Credit Rating Agency (ACRA) estimated.
"This is the result of several factors at once: the indexation of excise taxes (the rate on sparkling wines has increased to 125 rubles per liter since January 1), spring frosts and subsequent drought in traditional wine regions, which affected the grape harvest," said Evgeny Zelensky, an expert at the ACRA corporate ratings group. According to him, total retail sales decreased by 5% in the first half of the year amid rising prices.
Imported alcoholic beverages have also risen in price against the background of a significant increase in import customs duties and excise taxes in 2023 and 2024, Tatiana Podolskaya told the publication.
"Russian producers, taking advantage of a significant drop in the price competitiveness of imported wine, have also raised prices," she says.
Will alcohol become more expensive in 2026
Strong jumps in alcohol prices are not expected before the end of the year, Maxim Chernihiv, head of the Alcohol Market Professionals Club and expert at the Presidential Academy, agrees with Rusprodsoyuz's assessment.
"There will be December actions, but rather restrained," he believes.
Ekaterina Kosareva, managing partner of the analytical agency VMT Consult, clarifies that the reduction in the cost of champagne by 5-10% compared to September-October will not be related to logistics or cost, but to the policy of retail chains.
— Firstly, the networks compete with each other for the buyer. Secondly, low prices allow you to increase turnover and make good revenue even with a small margin. Thirdly, the stores primarily pursue marketing goals. Inexpensive champagne becomes a kind of hook for the consumer who will buy other alcohol, gifts or food for the holiday in the store. Consumers will find out about such promotions at points of sale, via SMS alerts or from news aggregators of discounts, the analyst argues.
However, after the New Year holidays, alcohol will continue to rise in price, the respondents of the publication are sure.
— The main recalculation will take place in January – March 2026, when new excise taxes will come in and the balances will be reassessed. Wines and sparkling wines will add 5-12% in value in the first half of the year (and higher for imports), spirits — 3-7%, beer — 2-5%. After that, the market will reach a new price plateau and slow down," predicts Maxim Chernihiv.
Other experts expect a more substantial increase. According to the draft amendments to the Tax Code, from January 1, 2026, the government plans to increase excise taxes on alcohol by 8.9–31%. Excise taxes on still wines will increase by 31%, sparkling wines — by 8.9%. For alcohol stronger than 18 degrees, it is planned to increase the excise tax to 824 rubles per 1 liter of anhydrous alcohol in their composition.
— From the moment of the increase in excise taxes, stores are required to change price tags taking into account the increase in rates, otherwise they risk losing their license without trial, — warns Tatiana Podolskaya market participants.
Alcohol consumption in Russia in 2025
In 2025, sales of legal alcohol were declining: rising prices and regional restrictions are stimulating the withdrawal of some of the demand into the shadows, Izvestia's interlocutors agree.
The structure of consumption is also changing, Maxim Chernihiv believes.
— The share of domestic sparkling wines is growing, the emphasis on promotions is increasing, and purchases of imports and premium are decreasing. They will continue to celebrate, but it will be more rational — with an emphasis on affordable Russian positions and pre—planned purchases," the expert comments.
The demand for Russian brands of sparkling wines will be supported next year due to the abandonment of foreign wines, Ekaterina Kosareva believes.
— So, champagne from the New Year's seasonal product has become more common, the demand for it is more even throughout the year. Summer sales are comparable to peak sales during December. They go to visit with a bottle of champagne and take a break from a hard working week in the company. In favor of champagne, again under the influence of healthy lifestyle trends, they abandon stronger alcohol," she says.
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