The Russian still wine industry has demonstrated solid growth in both production volume and diversity over the first nine months of 2025.
According to Roskachestvo experts, domestic producers are significantly increasing their output, with the selection of grape wines reaching the highest level observed in the past four years.
From January to September 2025, Russian wineries produced 268 million liters of still wine, representing an 11.2% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This expansion coincides with the entry of 18 new producers into the market, bringing the total number of domestic still wine producers to 201, compared with 146 in 2022. The growing participation of small and medium-sized wineries signals a positive evolution of the Russian wine landscape and greater consumer interest in locally produced wines.
White and Semi-Dry Wines Lead the Growth
As imported wines continue to lose ground on retail shelves, Russian wineries are adapting to consumer demand by focusing on white wine production. This shift aligns with global consumption trends that favor lighter and fresher styles.
The production structure by sugar content is also undergoing transformation. The long-standing preference for semi-sweet wines is declining—the share of semi-sweet wines fell from 49.8% to 46.5% during the first three quarters of 2025. In contrast, semi-dry wines have seen remarkable growth, with production volumes up by 41.3%, outpacing the 15.8% increase in dry wine production.
Experts attribute this rise to the balanced profile of semi-dry wines, which offer lower sugar levels—only slightly above dry wines—while retaining a harmonious, approachable taste.
“These wines have less sugar, sometimes just a couple of grams higher than regular dry wines, and their taste is quite harmonious and balanced,” notes Olesya Latysheva, expert for the Wine Guide of Russia. “Retailers are turning producers’ attention to this segment, where more and more Russian wines are appearing.”
As of late 2025, semi-dry wines hold an 8% market share, with analysts predicting the segment could potentially double in the coming years. Meanwhile, dry wines remain dominant, accounting for 109 million liters, or 40.7% of total still wine production.
Sweet Wines Retain a Premium Niche
Contrary to the decline in semi-sweet wines, sweet wines continue to perform strongly, posting growth of over 15% year-on-year. However, this segment serves a distinctly different consumer base.
Unlike semi-sweet wines, which are typically priced in the entry-level range (under 500 rubles) and often achieve modest tasting scores, sweet wines occupy a premium niche. They are generally produced from late-harvest grapes, which concentrate natural sugars and aromas, resulting in more complex wines that can command prices of several thousand rubles per bottle.
Packaging Preferences Remain Traditional
While the sparkling wine market in Russia has seen a boom in small and alternative packaging formats, still wine consumers remain more traditional in their purchasing behavior.
“There’s a real boom in the market for sparkling wines in small packaging—convenient bottles and cans,” Latysheva explains. “Things are much more sedate with still wines. Smaller packaging formats are barely growing in volume. However, unlike sparkling wine, the majority of non-standard packaging is in the form of half-bottles (0.35 liters).”
This suggests that, for now, Russian still wine buyers continue to associate larger formats with value and tradition, showing limited interest in single-serve convenience options.
Outlook: Strengthening Domestic Identity
The 11.2% production growth, coupled with the increase in domestic producers, underscores a resilient and evolving Russian still wine sector. The diversification of grape varieties and styles—particularly in the white and semi-dry categories—reflects a strategic response to both market demands and shifting consumer preferences.
With sustained improvements in wine quality and greater focus on local terroir expression, Russian wineries are positioning themselves to compete more effectively—both within the domestic market and potentially abroad.
Source: Roskachestvo