Japanese Wine Importers\' Visit in Georgia
A group of Japanese wine importers lead by master of wine Kenichi Ohashi has visited Georgia for a week. Also, a famous Japanese sommelier, Motohiro Okoshi was in the group. The visit is aimed to learning Georgian wine and introduction to Japanese consumer afterwards. Kenichi Ohashi visited Georgia a month ago and as a result of that visit, he decided to come back here with a group of importers. The guests were in up to 20 wine companies in Kartli and Kakheti and tasted wines of different styles. Japanese professionals were especially impressed by Qvevri wines as well as classical wines.
According to Japanese importer, Takako Osawa, despite the fact that there are lots of different wines in Japanese market from Italy, Spain and other countries, Georgian wine has potential to become an interesting product for them.
“I am so impressed by the Georgian wine, we have some of the Georgian wines available in Japanese market, many of them are something unique, so I wanted to see what\'s actually happening in Georgia, there are lots of different varieties and different wines available and we knew few about lots of interesting things here. The quality of the Georgian wine is so high and the price is also interesting, because it\'s not too expensive. We enjoyed some of the European style Georgian wines and very historical amber wines. You have so many different categories, so many different styles and very good quality and the price is also attracting for the Japanese market and consumers” - stated Takako Osawa.
The visitors have been in the following wine companies during the tour: “Tbilvino”, “Chateau Mukhrani”, “Lagvinari”, “Giuaani”, “Maranuli”, “Papari Valley”, “Kardanaxi Wine Factory”, “Kakhetian Wine Cellar”, “Telavi Wine Cellar”, “Kakhuri”, “Orgo”, “Schuchmann Wines Georgia”, “Winery Khareba”, “Shumi”, “Alaverdi Monastery Cellar”, “Vaziani Company”, “Satsnakheli”, “Shalauri”, “Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking”, “Badagoni”, “Gotsa Wines”, and they also visited Qvevri-maker Zaza Kbilashvili.