The first half-year of crisis in Russia tends to decrease fine wine sales dramatically, the leading Russian business newspaper Kommersant says. For the first 5 months of 2009 demand has fallen significantly and, most of all, in distilled spirits – cognac, tequila and rum sales collapsed 37%. Wine is the second victim with 26,8% down. Surprisingly, vodka sales went down 24%. And beer seems to be the beverage Russian are most addicted to – its sales are only 8% down. With fine wines I believe the situation is much worse – up to 40-50% down. On the other hand, the supermarket and boxed wines sales support those importers who have them in their portfolios.