Russia’s Rospotrebnadzor Accuses Georgian Wine Producers of Constantly Violating Safety Regulations

The RIA Novosty information agency, based on Russia’s Consumer Rights Protection Service Rospotrebnadzor, reported that Georgian wine producers constantly violate safety regulations and the country’s monitoring agencies do not control the production properly. 

“Quality analysis confirms violations and insufficient control of the production process by Georgia’s producers and responsible agencies” the representatives of Russia’s Consumer Rights Protection Service’s press-service claimed.

Georgia’s Ministry of Agriculture said it is studying recent accusations from Rospotrebnadzor in great detail and noted that Georgian wine quality is strictly controlled by corresponding agencies as well as laboratories. 

 “Wine is one of Georgia’s most significant export products and therefore, the state as well as producers and exporters are deeply interested in wine quality meeting all safety standards,”- the Ministry’s statement reads. 

According to the agency, 45 Georgian producers sent a total of 6.7 million liters of alcohol to Russia in 2015. Ten batches of the product (mainly “Old Kakheti” cognac, as well as “Kolkhida” and “Saperavi” wines) were declared as unable to meet the agency’s requirements and therefore denied entry into Russia.

Georgia’s trade problems with the Russian Federation were severed in 2006 when Georgian wine was banned by Moscow, ostensibly because of low quality. Russia opened its market for Georgian wine and mineral water in 2012, after the new Georgian government, led by Bidzina Ivanishvili, came to power.

Nino Japarashvili