Sergei Panov is an independent Russian-born Spain-based journalist and anti-corruption activist. He switched from writing about wine to covering the dark corners of the wine world - from the search for Putin's elite wineries to Henri Jayer shipments circumventing EU sanctions. Sergei writes for Politico Europe, Meininger WBI, and investigates for The Insider Ru.

Articles

ASI Vote on the return of Russian sommeliers raises questions

by Sergey Panov | 16-06-2026

In late May, the ASI General Assembly was held in Taipei, Taiwan. Among the organizational issues discussed by the presidents of the national associations belonging to ASI, a... more »

Stuck between Russia & Brad Pitt, Yuri Shefler’s two-front war

by Sergey Panov | 06-08-2024

In a move that underscores the unpredictable nature of Putin’s Russia, a district court in the Tambov region recently branded Yuri Shefler’s Stoli Group as an extremist association... more »

A call to expel the Russian Sommelier Association from the ASI

by Sergey Panov | 13-09-2023

Eight Ukrainian champions petitioned The Association de la Sommellerie Internationale to expel the Russian Association for supporting the war. The transparency and anti-corruption issues they raise make their... more »