A new initiative aimed at strengthening the global presence of Georgian wine was discussed on Tuesday in a meeting between Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Davit Songulashvili and Joseph Miller, President of the International Sommelier Guild (ISG).

During the meeting, Miller presented a five-year strategic framework for the global education and international development of Georgian wine. 

The initiative aimed to reinforce the long-term international position of Georgian wine through education, professional development, market engagement and structured international cooperation.

Songulashvili said increasing the international recognition of Georgian wine remained one of the Government's key priorities.

“Enhancing the global recognition of Georgian wine is one of the state's key priorities. Initiatives that deepen international professional knowledge of Georgian wine, promote its unique history and culture, and create new partnerships and opportunities are particularly important. Projects focused on education, professional development and international cooperation will further strengthen Georgian wine's position in global markets. Today's meeting was dedicated to advancing this objective”, Songulashvili noted.

The initiative consists of five main components: establishing educational and professional development programmes focused on Georgian wine; expanding international partnerships and commercial opportunities; organising practical study visits to Georgia for foreign wine professionals; developing multilingual educational and communication resources to promote Georgian wine internationally; and improving mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating results.

The International Sommelier Guild is one of the world's leading educational organisations in wine and sommelier training. 

Operating in numerous countries, it delivers internationally recognised programmes aimed at training and advancing professionals in the wine industry.

The meeting at the Ministry was also attended by senior officials from Georgia's National Wine Agency.