Saba Kitiashvili became the winner of the "Best Sommelier of Georgia" competition
Competition
The competition was organized by the Georgian Sommelier Association and with support from the National Wine Agency.
13 sommeliers participated in the competition, three of whom advanced to the final stage. Following the evaluation of the competition tasks, Saba Kitiashvili was declared the best sommelier of Georgia in 2024 by the jury.
Levan Mekhuzla, a member of the competition jury and chairman of the National Wine Agency, emphasized the significance of the sommelier profession and highlighted its crucial role in enhancing and popularizing the culture of wine consumption.
„The competition was held for the fourth time, indicating its successful establishment within the Georgian wine industry. The profession of sommelier is actively evolving, as sommeliers play a crucial role in presenting wine to customers and conveying information about its quality, culture, and history. A professional in this field serves as a direct intermediary between wine producers and consumers, playing a crucial role in promoting Georgian wine and fostering the culture of proper wine consumption in Georgia, in which sommeliers are highly instrumental.“, - Levan Mekhuzla stated.
„The event aims to showcase the exceptional skills and professionalism of sommeliers in Georgia. Its objective is not only to identify the top sommelier but also to foster the professional growth and development of sommeliers, thereby enhancing the prominence of Georgian wine culture on the global wine stage. The winner will represent Georgia at the World Sommelier Competition scheduled to take place in Lisbon in 2026.“, - Shalva Khetsuriani, President of the Georgian Sommelier Association, stated. He emphasized the importance of the professional and educational programs in winemaking offered by the Georgian Sommelier Association.
The Georgian Sommelier Association (GSA) was established in 2003. Since 2008, it has been a member of the International Sommelier Association, which unites 63 countries. The GSA is the initiator of several educational training courses in Georgia, including "Georgian Wine," "International Sommelier," "WSET," and others. With the support of the National Wine Agency, the Georgian Sommelier Association implements a variety of projects aimed at promoting Georgian wine.