The National Wine Agency of Georgia has confirmed its 2024 promotional campaign, its seventh year of developing the UK market.
Since the launch of the program in 2017, key national agencies and importers have added Georgian wine to their portfolio. Support from companies such as Berkmann Wine Cellars, Boutinot, Clark Foyster Wines, Hallgarten Novum, Lea and Sandeman, Les Caves de Pyrene and Liberty, has led to Georgian wine being listed in over 300 independent retailers, and across the on-trade, as well as in Majestic, Marks and Spencer, The Wine Society and Direct Wines.
This builds on the success of specialist importers such as Gardabani Group, Taste of Georgia and GinVino offering a wide range of Georgian wine to both consumer and trade customers.
SOMMELIER-SELECTED PAIRING MASTERCLASSES
The 2024 Campaign launches “Georgia on the table”, a series of pairing masterclasses highlighting the versatility of Georgian wine with fine cuisine from around the world, to be held in London and Manchester from May-September 2024. The sessions will include pairings with “Fine Amber” contemporary qvevri wines, premium reds from Saperavi, and the delicate wines of the cool west.
REAL WINE FAIR
Six Georgian wine producers are participating in The Real Wine Fair, in April, in London. This vibrant wine festival is open to all ticket-holders on Sunday 28th April, and to wine trade and media professionals on Monday 29th April. Iago’s Winery, Marina’s Wine, Nika Winery, Okro’s Wines, Pheasant’s Tears and Vintners & Vagabonds are the artisanal and low-intervention producers taking part.
LONDON WINE FAIR
A strong cohort of Georgian wineries will return to The London Wine Fair in May 2024. Over 100 wines will be presented, and Master of Wine Sarah Abbott will host two masterclasses on the stand
IWSC COLLABORATION
International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) will present a tasting in London of its top award-winning Georgian wines in the Spring, and in Autumn 2024 will host its third “Judging in Georgia” competition and field trip, in collaboration with the Gurjaani Wine Festival and the National Wine Agency of Georgia.
SITT – SPECIALIST IMPORTER TRADE TASTINGS
In September 2024 a range of imported Georgian wines will be on show at the Specialist Importer Trade Tastings in London and Manchester.
Ongoing activities include Trade and Media Sampling; Retailer and Importer staff training sessions; and Press and Media incoming trips to Georgia in June and October.
Chairman of The Georgian National Wine Agency, Levan Mekhuzla, said:
The UK is an emerging and important market for Georgian wine; it plays a key part in our export diversification strategy. Distribution with household names such as Majestic and Marks and Spencer shows that Georgia has enduring potential for the UK, and listings with prestige retailers and restaurants highlight our fine-wine credentials, reflected in the increase in our average export sales price. I’m delighted that the National Wine Agency is supporting our UK partners for the 7th year.
For more information about Georgian wine events and promotion for the UK wine trade and media, please contact us.