Russia bans Armenian wines and brandies over safety violations

Russian consumer watchdog Rospotrebnadzor has suspended the sale of several Armenian alcoholic drinks after they failed safety checks. Three manufacturers—Vedi-Alco, Abovyan Brandy Factory, and Shahnazaryan Wine & Brandy House—produced beverages that did not meet mandatory standards.

The banned products include Getap Vernashen, a semi-sweet red wine from Vedi-Alco, and Vedi-Alco Khardji, a dry white wine. Both were rejected for safety violations. Shahnazaryan Wine & Brandy House also had its Shahnazaryan XO, a seven-year-aged brandy, blocked from sale.

Abovyan Brandy Factory’s Armenian Brandy 5 Stars was similarly found to be substandard. Rospotrebnadzor has ordered all retailers and importers to pull these drinks from shelves immediately. The agency continues to inspect imported alcohol on the Russian market to ensure compliance with safety rules.

The suspension affects multiple brands and types of alcohol, from wine to brandy. Retailers must now remove the listed products from circulation. Rospotrebnadzor will keep monitoring imports to prevent further violations.