Seems like wine journalists (and journalists in general) are not really free in their writing any more, especially if there’s any alcohol brand mentioned. Doesn’t matter if it’s the Russian beer «Zhigulyovskoe» or a brand of cognac. There is no reason to worry: the officials from FAS (Federal Antimonopoly Service) are monitoring freedom of the market and competition zealously.

The easiest way for the reporters is to put a big stamp «Advertising» on any article where the alcohol brand is mentioned (especially it’s one brand only) — which means that we have another great way to earn extra money by referring to brands, and most importantly, that this our right is now guaranteed by the guys in the Russian White House.

The reason for saying this is the today’s FAS ruling against one of the biggest producers of quality wine and gastronomy “hard media” Afisha Eda (meaning Afisha-Food). The ruling declares some 16 cases of unstated advertising in the Russian most quality food and wine edition published by Mr. Alexey Zimin and his great team. If its readers could somehow navigate the alcohol space and time with these hight quality tasting reports, now they will have to choose their wines solely based on their gut feeling — unless of course the Afisha’s lawyers find a magic way to win a lawsuit against the beloved State. Best rose for the summer? Forget it! Best Chilean wine up to 1000 rubles? Get sued! Or maybe you’re a “foreign agent” (remember the recent Non-commercial organizations unprecedented pressing)?

Afisha will surely try to convince judges the other way, while confirming that two of sixteen total cases could be called advertising, while others – surely not. The next court meeting is scheduled for 3-4^th of June.