WINES OF GEORGIA INDIE ALLIANCE FUND WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The Indie Alliance Fund offers small and medium-sized retailers the opportunity to apply for grants to increase promotion of their Georgian wine listings. The fund recognises the critical role that Indies play in promoting Georgian wine – an exciting but adventurous wine choice – to UK wine consumers.
Applications were received from independent wine merchants, both retail stores and online, for projects to promote the retailer’s Georgian wine listings. Each entry was assessed by the judging panel which comprised Sarah Abbott MW, Dr Jamie Goode and Tamar Metreveli, Head of Marketing and PR at the National Wine Agency in Georgia.
The winners are:
Carruthers & Kent, Newcastle
This Newcastle-based wine store and wine bar are expanding their range of Georgian wine, and will be showcasing a different Georgian wine by the glass quarterly throughout 2021. They will host a Georgian wine tasting in their enoteca, and feature Georgian wine at their annual wine fair.
Gvino UK, online
This specialist Georgian merchant are creating Georgian food and wine pairing videos with famous Georgian chefs Meriko Gibeladze & Giram Bagdoshvili. They are also hosting virtual tastings featuring Georgian wines.
Salusbury Wine Store, London
This London wine shop and wine bar are hosting a virtual tasting of Georgian wine in June.
Smith & Gertrude, Edinburgh
This wine shop and wine bar are running three different promotions featuring Georgian wine. Home tasting packs will guide their customers through Georgian wine; an in-store by-the-case sales promotion will increase sales and attract new customers; and an expanded range of Georgian wines will feature in their customer wine club.
South Downs Cellars, Sussex
This dynamic wine merchant based in Hurstpierpoint is offering tastings, sales promotions, restaurant collaborations and and increased range of Georgian wines.
The Oxford Wine Company, Oxford
The Oxford Wine Company are increasing their staff training and Georgian wine range, as well as hosting a variety of tastings, events and sales promotion of Georgian wine.
Trivet Restaurant and Wine Shop, London
This fine-dining restaurant and wine shop are increasing their range of Georgian wines, and adding an expanded range of Georgian wines by the glass to match their acclaimed cuisine.
Turton Wines, Bolton
This wine shop, wine bar and online wine merchant are expanding their focus on Georgian wine across all business channels. Georgian wine tastings and sampling will be offered at the wine bar, there will be an increased promotion of Georgian wine online, and Georgian wine will be featured more prominently in their retail space.
The Wright Wine Company, North Yorkshire
The Wright Wine Company are partnering with a Georgian chef to host Georgian wine and food events in their wine shop and wine bar in Autumn 2021, and are also doubling their range of Georgian wine stocked in store and online.
The promotions mean that Georgian wine will be featured from June to December by dynamic independent wine shops in different locations of the UK.
Les Hall of the Wright Wine Company summed up the unique appeal and opportunities in promoting Georgian wine:
“When my wife and I landed at Tbilisi Airport in June 2015 we were each presented with a bottle of Georgian wine on the tarmac, before we even entered the airport building. What followed over the next 2 weeks or so was simply the highest level of hospitality I had ever experienced. To promote Georgian wine I feel that Georgia as a whole should be promoted; that there should be an exploration of the absolute bond there is linking family, hospitality, food and wine.”
Sarah Abbott MW commented: “We were really inspired by the entries and the creativity shown by the applicants. They demonstrate the appetite to develop Georgian wine in the UK, and we are delighted to support the growth of the sector with innovative promotions.”
Exports of Georgian wine to the UK grew by 248% during 2020, reaching USD 1 million in value for the first time.
2021 Events
A Trade & Press Tasting (in person) of Georgian wines will take place on 22nd June at Trivet Restaurant. Over 100 wines will be available to taste, both those already imported into the UK market and wineries seeking importers.
To register your interest, please visit: https://swirl.eventscase.com/EN/winesofgeorgia
Georgian Wine Connect
Georgian Wine Connect is a 24/7 online hub that allows trade buyers to connect with export-ready Georgian wine producers. The platform comprises profiles of over 50 Georgian wineries and their contact details. It allows registered trade visitors to specify their area of interest, filter wineries by target market channel and positioning, and to send messages and request virtual meetings with winery representatives. In addition to the always-on networking service, Georgian Wine Connect will host a virtual event program through the year.