Roskachestvo, Russia`s quality control system, has issued a stark warning regarding the inherent dangers of buying “homemade wine” from unregulated sources. They highlighted significant health risks, primarily due to potential failures in observing basic sanitary standards during production. However, the organization noted that “draft wines” can be of good quality, particularly when acquired directly from a manufacturer`s official retail outlets.
Homemade wine. Archive photo.
This caution follows a recent tragic incident where three individuals died after consuming illicit homemade alcohol purchased at a market in Russia`s Kuban region. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) spokesperson, Irina Volk, confirmed the arrest of two suspects and the initiation of a criminal investigation. She further indicated that the number of victims affected by this homemade alcohol poisoning in Kuban, potentially including tourists, might be higher.
Olesya Latysheva, Director of Roskachestvo`s Department for Research and Promotion of Domestic Wine Products and head of “Russia`s Wine Guide,” emphasized the dangers: “Whenever you acquire something that is not entirely legal, you expose yourself to a range of risks. The cleanliness of production and adherence to fundamental sanitary standards are always in question.”
She clarified that home winemaking for personal consumption or for sharing with friends, using one`s own or purchased grapes, is not prohibited in Russia.
Another common, though not always safe, occurrence in resort areas are shops offering draft wine, often alongside beer, cider, and other beverages from appealing kegs with taps. Roskachestvo advised that “wines sold in bulk may indeed be of decent quality if purchased from a producer`s branded retail outlet. Consumers can verify whether a specific store belongs to a winery`s official network or is authorized to sell a particular brand by checking the producer`s website or social media. However, they also noted that reputable wineries are increasingly moving away from selling their wines `on tap` in this manner.”
The organization observed a growing effort by authorities in coastal regions in recent years to protect tourists from unscrupulous alcohol producers. Latysheva specifically mentioned that “the Kuban coast, a prime tourist destination, now offers numerous opportunities to discover local farmer wines. When visiting such a winery, it`s always advisable to request the owner to show their wine production license. Furthermore, purchased bottles can be verified for legality using the `Antikontrafakt` (Anti-Counterfeit) mobile application, available for download on the Rosalkogoltabakkontrol (Federal Service for Alcohol Market Regulation) website.”
