Georgian Wines Get GI Status in EU

On July 29, 2010, the EU and Georgia signed an agreement according to which wine companies in the EU will have to respect 18 geographical indications on Georgian wines.

The protected Georgian wines include Khvanchkara, Tsinandali, Kindzmarauli, Saperavi, Mukuzani and Akhasheni.

Georgian winemakers reoriented their sales to Western markets after Russia imposed an import ban on Georgian wine in 2006, claiming it did not fulfill Russia’s health standards.

In return, Georgian wine producers agree not to sell sparkling wine labeled as Champagne and other EU wines with the GI status on their domestic market.

The agreement is part of EU’s strategy to export its GI system via agreements with non-EU countries. The goal is to protect EU’s best-known products from copycats, which are primarily found in emerging markets.

For more information, please contact Jelena Jankovic at our Balkan Regional Office.

Source: Trend