Introduction of “Qvevri Wine” in five cities of France
With National Wine Agency support, Georgian “Qvevri Wine” was introduced in Paris, Blois, Anjou, Saumur and Orleans on different events. Wine professionals, amateurs and representatives of media and business had opportunity to taste wine of the fallowing production: “Iago’s wine”, “Pheasant’s Tears”, “Ramaz Nikoladze’s Winery”, “Okro’s Wine”, “Niki Antadze Winery”, “Natenaze Winery” and “Mariam Iosebidze’s Wine”.
Natural wine fair “La Dive Boutteille” held in France, in which Qvevri winemakers participated, was attended by Ambassador of Georgia in France, Ekaterine Siradze-Delone and Head of National Wine Agency, Giorgi Samanishvili. The fair was traditionally held in the historical tunnel of champagne producing company „Ackerman”. Hundreds of winemakers different countries around the world participated in two-day exhibition.
As Ambassador of Georgia in France stated, introduction of Georgian wine in such events grows opportunity of letting more people learning about Georgia, as winemaking country.
“Introduction of Georgian wine in France is world-scale recognition. On the ceremony mentioned above, Georgian wine is tasted not only by Frenchmen, but also other countries’ representatives, that’s why maximal promotion of Georgian wine and introduction on each similar activity has great importance for us. Results are already clear, as increasingly more Frenchmen says, that Georgia is homeland of wine” – mentioned Ekaterine Siradze-Delone.
For his part, head of National Wine Agency mentioned, that Qvevri wine has special importance for Georgian wine image.
“Qvevri wines, which are intensively discoursed in France, are presented on the fair mentioned above. Qvevri wine is a kind of visit card for Georgian wine to become more popular on such important and huge market. Georgian wine will be introduced in fairs of naturalist winemakers in the future and National Wine Agency will support Qvevri winemakers in it” – mentioned Giorgi Samanishvili.
Qvevri winemakers also participated in natural wine fair „Les Penitentes“ held in Anjou in the same period. In the fair, Georgian wine was introduced alongside with such famous winemaking countries of the world, as France, Italy and Spain.
Qvevri winemaking companies had also participated in the fair previous years. Georgian winemakers state, that Anjou and Saumur traditional fairs gave them opportunity to obtain important exporters and accordingly, wine export has increased.
‘’La Dive Boutteille” and „Les Penitentes” are considered as one of the most important events of the year in natural winery field, which are attended by famous naturalist winemakers, wine importers of different countries, buyers, media representatives and sommeliers.
In addition, Georgian wine degustation was held in Paris, Blois and Orleans in special wine-shops and bars. The degustation was lead by Frenchman sommelier, Sebastian Shatiloni and Frenchman winemaker, Tieri Puzelati. Qvevri wine captured the interest of native wine importers, representatives of wine-shops and restaurants, also, wine-lovers liked it very much.
Participation in such kind of fairs increases Georgian wine publicity and popularity and supports export and export market growth.
In such famous country for winery, as France, 38 thousand bottles of wine was exported Georgia in 2015 and that’s 190% higher, than the similar data of 2014. Mainly, Qvevri wines are exported in France.