From Dec. 25 through Jan. 10, the 142-million population of Russia will drink about 120 million bottles of champagne and other sparkling wines, and over 100 million still wines, according to a survey made by head of the Center for Federal and Regional Alcohol Market Research Vadim Drobiz.
Domestic wines will account for up to 70% of all grape wines and around 90% of all sparkling wines expected to be drunk during the holidays.
Vodka sales are expected to hit about 250-270 million bottles, down by 5%-7% from last year.
"Russians will make up for a decrease in legal vodka sales by drinking all sorts of substitutes," Drobiz says.
About 80 million conventional bottles (0.5 liter) of moonshine, as many as 100 million bottles of spirit-containing technical liquid, and at least 70 million bottles of herb or berry tinctures will be drunk during the holiday season.
Lovers of premium exotic alcohol will consume 4-5 million bottles (0.5 liter) of whisky, rum, gin, tequila and absinthe, and 25-30 million bottles of cognac.
Between 1.5 billion and 2 billion bottles of beer and 90 million tins of low-alcohol beverages (0.3 liter) will be sold.
A night alcohol sales ban will boost alternative sales – "vodka and other alcoholic beverages will be offered at every corner", Drobiz said.
