Drinks

French Champagne Industry Group To Resume Russia Exports On September 15

By Dave Simpson
French Champagne Industry Group To Resume Russia Exports On September 15

France's champagne industry group will resume exports to Russia on Wednesday September 15 despite a Russian law forcing foreign champagne producers to add a "sparkling wine" reference to the back of their bottles, local media has reported.

Boycott

The Interprofessional Champagne Wines Committee (CIVC) had asked its producers to boycott Russia following the introduction of the law last July.

Confirming a report by industry magazine Terre de Vins, Agence France Presse said that the committee's leadership had decided to scrap the boycott believing they had made their point to Russian authorities and no longer wanted to harm their clients.

Protected Status

The name "Champagne" has protected status in more than 120 countries, which reserve its use for sparkling wine from France's Champagne region.

French Government Warning

The French government had warned that it could seek redress through the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

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No CIVC Comment Available

The CIVC could not immediately be reached for comment.

News by Reuters, edited by Hospitality Ireland. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.