Georgian Wine - National Wine Agency

A group of American wine professionals comprising wine importers, sommeliers and wine writers visited Georgia for a week. The leader of the group is the head of  National Wine Agency contractor company – Marq Energie -  Julie Peterson.

Within the tour the guests visited Georgian wine producing companies in Kartli, Imereti, Guria, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kakheti where they got acquainted with the Georgian wine-making techniques and enjoyed wine made by European and traditional methods.

As the head of  \"Marq Energie\" stated, interest in Georgian wine is growing in the US market.

\"This was the first visit for many wine writers and sommelier in Georgia. We were in  Western Georgia - Racha, Imereti, Lechkhumi, because we also wanted to see  what was going on in Western Georgia, who are the producers , what are the  different grape varieties, how is the style different then in the East. We have been in Western Georgia for the past three days, today we are in Kartli and for the next three days we are going  to Kakheti. We travel in Eastern Georgia to compare the eastern style and the diversity of varieties with Western Georgian wines \"- said Julie Peterson.

Patrick Comiskey,  a well-known journalist, the main correspondent of the magazine \"Wine and Spirit\", which also writes in the Los Angeles Times, is a member of the group.

“This is my first trip to Georgia. I\'ve been familiar with Georgian wines for some years now, but it is completely a  different experience to be here ,  it is so much more  real  to me and the  place becomes so much more alive. The best thing about the people, the wine and the culture is the sense of  authenticity here, in the wines especially that is really important to convey to my readers. It is one of the most beautiful countries of wine that i\'ve ever seen and it is one of the most humbling authentic, the wines feel like they come  from a particular not just a  place, but a place from the heart” - stated Patrick Comiskey.

Winemaker Iago Bitarishvili states that such activities promote the increase of Georgian wine publicity and thus increases export on the international market.

“Diversification of markets is very important for Georgian wines. When it comes to the US market, it is doubly important, as it is one of the biggest markets in the world, where wine is valued, this country sets some rules on the wine market. According to US export results, we are moving forward year after year, but the potential of our wine in this country  is much higher and the events that are being held in the US, including exhibitions or other tastings, is very important for the  increase of the  awareness of Georgian wine on the American market, \"said Iago Bitar

The tour was organized by the National Wine Agency. The guests were able to taste the following wine producers: \"Amiran Vepkhvadze Cellar\", \"Archil Guniava Cellar\", \"Ramaz Nikoladze Wines\", \"Pataridze Family Cellar\", \"Royal Khvanchkara\", \"Usakhelauri Vineyards\", \"Zurab Topuridze Family Cellar\" \"Mamuka Chkheidze\'s Cellar\",  \"Iago Wines\", \"Sagvinari\", \"Vita Winnia\", \"Shalauri Wine Cellar\", \"Pheasant\'s Tears\" , \"Chotiashvili Wine Cellar\", \"Papari Valley\", \"Mukado Wines\", \"Lukasi\", \"Tamar Milorava Wines\", “Winery Nika” “Winery Nika”, “Okro Wines”, “Giuaani”, also visited Qvevri-maker,  Zaza Kbilashvili.

The US is one of the potentially growing and important export markets of Georgian wine. The implementation of active marketing activities in the United States promotes Georgian wine awareness and competitiveness on the US market and expansion of  Georgian wine export area in general. According to the data of 4 months of the current year, Georgia exported 101 370 bottles (0,75 l) of wine to the US, which is 21% higher than the similar data of the last year.