David Songulashvili: “There is no place for falsified wine in Georgia!”

Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Mr David Songulashvili, spoke about the state’s strict policy against wine falsification, emphasising that the approach is uncompromising and principled.

 

“We will be very strict, resolute, and uncompromising in combating wine falsification. The entire system is working in this direction—from the National Food Agency to the National Wine Agency. There is hardly a month without control purchases being conducted in both restaurants and retail chains, and we have had numerous cases of identifying, removing, and confiscating falsified products,” Mr David Songulashvili stated.

 

According to the Minister, comprehensive reforms are underway to improve the quality of grapes and wine, encompassing both the harvest process (Rtveli) and vineyard establishment standards.

 

“Last year, we introduced, on a pilot basis, a sugar-content threshold for grapes, which enabled quality-based grading. This year, the system has been further tightened, and we have clearly defined categories for high-, medium-, and substandard-quality grapes. We state unequivocally that grapes with a sugar content below 17 degrees will be purchased at GEL 0.30, as they cannot be used to produce quality wine. Where the state assumes responsibility, quality will be strictly controlled, and winegrowers will be compensated according to the quality of their product and their effort,” he noted.

 

The Minister also emphasised that the production of quality wine begins in the vineyard, which is why the reforms focus on properly established vineyards, suitable soil conditions, and certified vine saplings.