WASHINGTON, D.C.: France's Trade Minister Franck Riester on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) said he was "quite optimistic" that a resolution could be found to a dispute with Russia over labeling champagne bottles.

Home of the original champagne, France jealously guards its right to use the term and has been in talks with Moscow about a law signed by President Vladimir Putin in July that bars French champagne producers from using the word on their bottles sold in Russia.

Premium + Digital Edition

Ad-free access


P 80 per month
(billed annually at P 960)
  • Unlimited ad-free access to website articles
  • Limited offer: Subscribe today and get digital edition access for free (accessible with up to 3 devices)

TRY FREE FOR 14 DAYS
See details
See details