Awarding Ceremony of The First International Saperavi Competition
Competition
Awarding Ceremony of The First International Saperavi Competition was held at Radisson Collection in Tsinandali. The winner companies and small cellars were awarded with Gold, Silver and Bronze Diplomas.
Levan Davitashvili, Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia addressed the guests of the event. According to the Minister, the goal of the competition is to raise awareness of Saperavi as a leading Georgian grape variety and a variety of wines produced from it all over the world.
"This is the beginning of the very important tradition. Saperavi occupies a special place in Georgian winemaking. We think Saperavi will become the leader in new markets of Georgian wine. Our main task is popularization of this variety and the wines made from it , in which International Saperavi Competition will contribute, "said Levan Davitashvili.
During the competition, the Minister awarded honored winemakers. This year, Merab Miqashavidze, Teimuraz Gonjilashvili, Davit Maisuradze, Giorgi Daqishvili and Davit Maghradze received this rank.
The event was attended by the Head of the National Wine Agency Levan Mekhuzla, Executive Director of Georgian Wine, Tina Kezel, Metropolitan of Alaverdi Abba Davit, Kakheti Governor Irakli Qadagishvili, representatives of embassies and winemakers in Georgia.
The First International Saperavi Competition was held in Tbilisi on December 15-16 last year, organized by the Association "Georgian Wine", Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture and National Wine Agency. Local and foreign manufacturers took part in the competition. The winners were revealed by the jury composed of foreign and Georgian wine experts. About 200 samples of 87 companies were presented at the competition. The chair of the jury was a well-known British journalist and wine writer Andrew Jefford.
Levan Mekhuzla, Chairman of the National Wine Agency, was the member of the competition jury. According to him, the wines presented at the competition were the best quality.