Georgian wine sampled by experts in Cannes, France

A special tasting evening was held at a Michelin-star restaurant in Cannes, where more than 10 Georgian wines were sampled. Photo by Georgia's National Agency of Wine.

Agenda.ge, 28 Apr 2015 - 22:59, Tbilisi,Georgia

The distinctive taste of Georgian wine is being appreciated by wine experts in Cannes – the French city known all over the globe for its famous film festival.

A special tasting evening was held at a Michelin-star restaurant in Cannes, where more than 10 Georgian wines were sampled. The restaurant where the tasting was held was not identified.

More than 10 Georgian wines were sampled at the special tasting evening held at a Michelin-star restaurant in Cannes.

However at the event, dozens of sommeliers had the opportunity to learn more about Georgian grape varieties, the country’s wine culture and ancient history of winemaking.

Organisers said the reason behind the event was to promote Georgian wine in France, which was well-known for its wine and long-spanning history of winemaking. It also aimed to promote Georgian wine that was make in ancient, traditional ways – unlike anywhere else in the world.

The winetasting event was organised by Georgia’s National Agency of Wine. Before going to France the Agency offered Georgian wine companies the opportunity to present their products at the French tasting session.

Looking ahead, the restaurant said it would promote Georgian wine to other European countries.

"This is especially important now, when Georgian wine businesses are searching for new markets and potential importers,” said Wine Agency representative Ana Godabrelidze.

Georgia is regarded as the cradle of winemaking and its ancient winemaking traditions are extremely unique.

Today Georgia is considered to be the only country to have preserved archaic methods of making, keeping and consuming wine, which had been lost in other winemaking centres.

Georgia’s ancient method of winemaking involved the use of qvevri (clay) vessels, in which grapes are added, and then sealed and placed in the ground. There are more than 500 cultivated grape varieties in Georgia.

This traditional method of making Georgian wine was approved by UNESCO to be included in its Intangible Cultural Heritage list.