Medvedev: To Combat Alcoholism, Let's Drink Wine

In order to combat alcoholism, Dmitry Medvedev would like Russia to push people to drink more wine. That is not a joke ... and neither is Russia's battle with alcoholism. Medvedev believes that encouraging people to put down the vodka bottle and pick up a nice chardonnay is one way to win the war. "Countries where this sector is strong have no problems with alcohol abuse: problems with alcohol abuse stem from other drinks," he explained.

Russians are no stranger to wine: It's No. 3 among alcoholic beverages in terms of popularity, behind beer and vodka. But it's a lot pricier than either of those options because of import taxes. So Medvedev would also like to push winemaking, too. But one alcohol expert says that "creating a culture of wine making ... and wine drinking" will take at least 20 years to bring to fruition, reports the Telegraph. (More Russia stories.)