David Songulashvili: “Without Quality Grapes, It Is Impossible to Produce Quality Wine; It Is One Integrated Chain, from the Grape Grower to the Winemaker and Ultimately to the International Market”

The ongoing changes in the wine sector place a strong emphasis on the quality of the grape harvest. These measures are intended to encourage the production of high-quality grapes and, in turn, strengthen the competitiveness of Georgian wine.

According to Mr  Songulashvili,  against the backdrop of evolving global challenges, placing a strong emphasis on quality is particularly important for the continued development of Georgia’s wine industry.

“Given the challenges we face today, as wine consumption and consumer preferences evolve and international markets continue to change, it is particularly important that Georgian products remain competitive in both domestic and international markets. This is precisely what each of the reforms and decisions we are implementing is intended to achieve,” Mr David Songulashvili stated.

According to the Minister, high-quality wine cannot be produced without high-quality grapes. Therefore,  one of the key priorities of this year’s grape harvest is to provide incentives for grape growers who properly maintain their vineyards, manage vine yields appropriately, and produce grapes with high sugar content and strong quality characteristics.

“It is essential to manage vine yields and maintain vineyards properly so that the vines produce high-quality grapes. This is where everything begins. Without quality grapes, it is impossible to produce wine of the corresponding quality. It is therefore one integrated chain - from the grape grower to the winemaker and ultimately to the international market. At the same time, this approach should also generate greater economic benefits for grape growers themselves, as producing high-quality grapes should ultimately provide them with higher incomes than producing large quantities of lower-quality grapes,” Minister Songulashvili noted.