by Eleonora Scholes
Presidents Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Voronin agreed yesterday on resumption of the supply of Moldovan wines to the Russian market. The announcement was made at the summit of CIS countries in Minsk on 28 November. The Russian president noted that all wine imports will be handled by regulated organizations that will monitor quality and prevent counterfeits.
Moldovan winemakers suffered a serious crisis following the Russian ban on their products on the supposed grounds of health concerns in spring 2006. However, it appears the experience will prove beneficial in the long run as the industry has imposed stricter quality controls and created the National Institute of Vines and Wine to set standards and oversee production.
The news has been greeted positively both by Moldovan producers and Russian importers. The gap in the supply of wines in the medium price bracket had not been completely filled by other winemaking regions. The Reintroduction of Moldovan wine is seen as a good measure to bring stability to this price segment.
