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Crimea expects winemaking boom

ALEXANDROVA Lyudmila

Russia can considerably reduce vine imports from traditional wine countries such as France, Italy and Spain in the near future

MOSCOW, July 31. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia can considerably reduce vine imports from traditional wine countries such as France, Italy and Spain in the near future. Experts predict a winemaking boom with a special contribution by Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. All the more so as foreign companies plan to participate despite the sanctions.

Legal entities for foreign investments can be set up in Russian territory, the then aide to the interim head of the region Rustam Temirgaliev said on Tuesday. “We’ll revive winemaking with investments from French and Swiss companies and even a Finnish company,” he said. Swiss companies demonstrated special interest in Novy Svet company specializing in sparkling wines.

Winegrowing was neglected when Crimea was when part of Ukraine, with resorts built on the territories of many vineyards and recovery will take about 5-7 years, he added. Meanwhile, great opportunities for elite winemaking are offered by Sevastopol, said former city governor Alexey Chalyi.

French actor G·rard Depardieu who has Russian citizenship has already been proposed as Crimea’s chief winegrower to head the planned state committee on winemaking. Crimea’s interim governor Sergey Aksyonov did not rule out Depardieu’s professional advice could come in useful.

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