"Given the current campaign against poor wines from Georgia and Moldova, the Greeks, with their quality wine, have a realistic chance of entering the Russian market," Alexei Gordeyev said after a meeting with Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stylianidis.
"We propose expanding that cooperation with a view to considering the possibility of Greek winemakers investing in the Krasnodar Region and Daghestan."
The Greek official hailed the prospect and said a wine show will be staged in Moscow later this fall to feature the products of about 25 major Greek suppliers.
Russia's alcohol market has been in disarray following the introduction this past spring of bans on Georgian and Moldovan wines, and a change in excise regulations for imported liquor, which left the shelves of licensed Russian stores almost empty this summer. Authorities have said the measures aim to squeeze bootleg and low-quality alcoholic beverages out of the Russian market.
Russia produces a lot of vodka and beer, but domestic production of wine and brandy is limited to several southern provinces with vineyard-friendly climates, including Krasnodar and Daghestan.
