(Moodiereport) - Russian Standard Corporation, the Russian distributor of Russian Standard and Imperia vodkas, has acquired a 70% stake in Italian wine-making company Gancia SpA. The strategic investment is the next step in Russian Standard’s strategy in building vertically-integrated company, ensuring a leading position in many key categories of the beverage industry worldwide, Russian Standard Corp said in a statement. Since its establishment in 1850, Gancia has become one of the leaders in sparkling wine and vermouth. With 2,000 hectares of controlled vineyards and 5 million kilograms of grapes vinified each year, Gancia produces over 25 million bottles of sparkling wines, wines and aperitifs annually. Its global presence includes over 60 key markets, including Portugal, Japan, Finland, France, Belgium, Korea, China and the US.