A bill to amend the Law “On Grapes and Wine” has been submitted to the Parliament of Georgia, proposing a revision of the criteria for small wineries and stricter quality control for products.
According to the initiative from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, a small winery will be defined as an enterprise with an annual production volume not exceeding 25,000 liters. Previously, this threshold stood at 40,000 liters.
Simultaneously, it is proposed to introduce mandatory organoleptic (sensory) testing for all categories of wine intended for both export and the domestic market, as well as for alcoholic beverages with a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). An exception will be made only for wine produced by small wineries.
Furthermore, the bill introduces mandatory labeling for certified alcoholic beverages. This will be managed by the National Wine Agency in accordance with regulations established by the relevant minister.
The ministry maintains that these changes are necessary because the previous criteria for small wineries have become outdated, and their output impacts the reputation of Georgian wine in both domestic and international markets.
The document also provides for the introduction of a new category — “natural wine.” For such products produced by small wineries and labeled accordingly, organoleptic testing will not be mandatory.