New Perspective for Georgian Wine Producers Following Tokyo's International Exhibition

In March 2019, the project ‘Georgia-Homeland of Wine’ was launched in Tokyo for two months. As a result of the support of the Government of Georgia, the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Wine Agency of Georgia, Georgian Wine Association, National Museum and Sakpatenti, Georgia caught Japan’s attention and won positive feedback.

“Georgia - Homeland of Wine serves to present our country to the world positively,” said Deputy Chairman of the National Wine Agency Davit Tkemaladze. “At the same time, it is a very important project for the wine industry, within which the scientifically proven fact that Georgia is the homeland of wine is put into the spotlight. Our project, along with wine, is about multiple directions, with the ultimate goal of increasing interest towards our country. Along with wine, we introduce the Georgian ‘supra’ tradition as part of our culture and promote our cuisine.”

Within the event, 20 large and smaller Georgian wine producers were represented.

In terms of wine exports, Japan is a strategic market for Georgia. In 2018, Georgian wine exports to Tokyo increased by 37%. With such large-scale activities, a stable growth in numbers is also expected in future.

"We needed two years of preparation prior to going to Tokyo. Wine that we take to such events should meet many requirements. We discuss each application, taste the wine and then select which companies will be represented at the exposition. It is all done openly, in public. Everyone understands that such issues are extremely tricky and, along with the prestige, we are bearing responsibility for the industry and for the country's image,” Tkemaladze noted.

The export growth in the Japanese market means an increase of interest towards Georgian wine across the entire Asian market, as Japan is the developer of trends in the region and among neighboring countries.

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