'Good wine' is Medvedev choice

In a country where more than 23,000 people die of alcohol abuse every year and where vodka accounts for 70 per cent of alcohol consumption, it is a taste for good wine that can help people fight alcoholism.

“Winemaking is one of the branches that should be developed and could contribute to the eradication of alcoholism. Countries where this branch is strong, have no problems with alcohol abuse,” the President said at a meeting with Alexander Tkachev, the governor of Russia’s southern Krasnodar Territory.

Other drinks
Medvedev said problems with alcohol abuse stem from “other drinks,” Russian news agency Ria Novosti reported.

According to the Russian Ministry of Health, the per capita consumption of pure alcohol is around four gallons per person.

Tens of thousands of Russians die of alcohol poisoning every year.In the US, which has a population over twice as large, the number of deaths from alcohol poisoning remains stable at around 300 every year.