8th International Wine Award
On 3-4 June, within the framework of The international fair of Wine and Alcohol Beverage – “WinExpo Georgia 2016” , 8th International Wine Award was held. Wine samples were introduced not only by major companies, but also minor and family cellars, totally 153 different wines of 40 companies.
The samples of the wines exhibited on the fair were estimated by the judges completed by oenologists, international experts and specialists. The membership of the judges was: chairman of the judges, wine magister - Mr. Tim Atkin MW ,UK, wine magister – Kenichi Ohashi MW, Japan, Wine magister - Richard Kershaw MW, South Africa, sommelier - Isa Bal MS, Turkey, oenologist - Mikheil Meskhi, Georgia, oenologist and wine professional – Mikheil Meskhi, Georgia and wine expert and Deputy minister of Agriculture of Georgia, Levan Davitashvili Georgia.
“This is the second time I have the honor of being the member of the judges of this important award. This year, as a member of the judges, I want to mention, the growth of the participants of the award is complimentary. The challenge was great, we have tasted over 150 very good wines and detection of the best of them was quite hard. Accordingly, everybody, who deserved victory, have received awards. I want to say, that Georgia is a complex country, everything, that is good is gathered in Georgia. So, the whole life would not be enough to study Georgian wine, it’s opportunity and potential completely. Georgian wine is infinitive and unexhausted. The judges of the award was completed interestingly – 4 foreign and 2 Georgian experts. Georgian colleagues introduced us Georgian wine culture and history. So, the process of the award was interesting and educational for us” - stated Tim Atkin.
On the 4th of June, at the ceremony, the minister of Agriculture of Georgia, Otar Danelia and the members of the judges awarded the winner wines in different categories. 114 wines have received awards within the framework of the competition: 62 bronze, 27 silver, 16 gold and 8 special prize, “Trophy”. Wine of “Satsnakheli”, “Qvevris Saperavi Rcheuli” was named as the best wine of the year.
“Winery is one of our most priority lines, so we will support all the events that will provide the development of winery and viticulture. These events are important for Georgian wine popularization. This year, over 100 wines were awarded, that is very impressive. The members of the judges are wine experts recognized worldwide, specialists and wine writers and their opinion and estimation is very important. Their recognition of Georgian wine will provide popularity on international market and will be one more message to the world, that Georgia is the cradle of wine” – mentioned Otar Danelia.
This is the 9th year international fair of Wine and Alcohol Beverage – “WinExpo Georgia” is held with the exhibition center ExpoGeorgia organization and National Wine Agency of Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia support. On WineExpo 2016 Georgia, traditionally, there are not only wines and alcohol beverage introduced, but also winemaking installation and accessories, reprocessing lines, packaging materials, glass tare and cork producing and distributing companies. In the framework of the fair, there is a special corner for small and family cellar and Qvevri making wines.