OREANDA-NEWS   Uzbekistan has become a leader in the growth rate of wine imports to Russia in the first three quarters of this year, Kommersant writes.

According to the newspaper, during this period, almost 847 thousand liters of still and fortified wines were imported from the country, which is 4.5 times higher than a year ago. At the same time, it is noted that the main volume, namely more than 515 thousand liters, fell on deliveries in the third quarter.

Market participants said that the largest part of alcohol from Uzbekistan was imported by LLC "Wine and Cognac Trust" (CGT), and a smaller part - "Mistral Alco", which is mainly known as a supplier of Abkhazian wines to Russia.

Fort Import Director Daria Sologub recalled that Uzbekistan was a major supplier of table grapes in the USSR, and now they have started making wine there. She added that the re-equipment of the industry is a long process, so now the quality of wines is average, but noted that the consumer can gradually switch to budget wines to save money.

The second place in terms of wine supplies in the period from January to September of this year, the Russian Federation was occupied by South Ossetia, whose supplies increased by almost 50% year-on-year.

In October, the RBC publication wrote that New Zealand decided to ban the supply of wine to Russia, with 90% of imports accounted for the Sauvignon Blanc variety popular among Russians.