Russia's wine market plagued by fakes and flawed production in 2025

A recent study by Roskachestvo has revealed ongoing issues with wine quality and counterfeiting in Russia. Out of 782 types tested in 2025, 4% failed due to undeclared ingredients or substitute materials. The findings highlight both deliberate fraud and accidental defects in production. Roskachestvo's checks focus on two main problems: counterfeit wine and quality degradation. Counterfeit products often include unauthorised additives or entirely different raw materials. Meanwhile, even genuine wine can spoil if production standards slip.

Poor sealing is a common issue. When bottles aren't properly closed, air seeps in, oxidising the wine and giving it an unpleasant 'sauerkraut' flavour. Faulty corks also pose risks. Chemical compounds from low-quality stoppers can leak into the liquid, creating a 'cardboard' taste. These flaws can ruin otherwise high-quality batches.

The study found that around 4% of wine sold in Russia is counterfeit. While the exact number of varieties tested in 2024 remains unclear, the 2025 results show persistent problems in the market. The report confirms that both fraud and production errors continue to affect Russian wine. With 4% of tested samples failing, consumers face risks from both fake products and poorly made genuine ones. Roskachestvo's ongoing checks aim to reduce these issues in future.