Georgian wine at the Shanghai festival became a real star among the winners.
The Shanghai National Wine Challenge was held at the end of June 2025, and with the support of Georgia’s national wine agency, Georgia managed to compete. Georgia went against other competitors, featuring an impressive number of 200 Georgian wines. One of the five competition days was dedicated exclusively to Georgian wines, as reported by the National Wine Agency. The chairman of the National Wine Agency, Levan Mekhuzla, also attended this festival, overlooking the whole process carefully.
The Shanghai International Wine Festival (SIWC) has been held annually since 2006 and held its ’19th festival at the end of June, where for five days the professional wine tasters debated over the best wines from all over the world. The mission of the festival is to showcase the world’s best wines and strengthen cultural ties and international trade with the Chinese market that dominates the world trade scene right now.
“SIWC is an essential platform for wine producers to showcase their products to professionals, media, and consumers. Award-winning wines gain broad recognition and media coverage. Last year’s competition featured over 500 wines from 20 countries, including France, Spain, Hungary, and Australia,” said Levan Mekhuzla.
Organized under the initiative of the Georgian Wine Asia Tour, 21 wineries represented Georgia at the ProWine & SIWC events in Shanghai. Supported by the Georgian National Wine Agency and the association “Georgian Wine,” these producers presented a selection of over 200 Georgian wines to Chinese buyers, importers, media representatives, and wine experts from around the globe. This marks a significant moment in Georgia’s wine diplomacy—reflecting a broader strategy to expand the nation’s presence in Asia, including exhibitions in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong.
In SIWC competitions, wines are assessed blindly by a panel of international professionals. Awards—platinum, gold, silver, and bronze—signify quality, distinctiveness, and consumer appeal. Georgia’s haul of 96 awards is a testament to its diverse wine styles, including celebrated qvevri-aged amber wines, traditional Saperavi reds, and aromatic whites.
Georgian wines received awards in the following categories:
- Platinum – 10
- Gold – 44
- Silver – 35
- Best Trophy – 2
- Popular – 5
Georgian media have highlighted this win as a major milestone. The National Wine Agency reported that the competition is one of Asia’s most prestigious wine platforms, judged by around 80 industry professionals who rate wines through blind tastings. Public relations releases emphasize that Georgian wines are increasingly gaining traction and prestige in key Chinese markets. Masters of Wine involved in global tastings—such as the IWSC event in Georgia—have praised the country’s rapid quality improvements, with over 60% of entries earning medals and qvevri wines commanding special attention. Consequently, China—with a 65% jump in Georgian wine imports compared to the same period last year—is now Georgia’s primary Asian export market.
But what does that win mean to Georgians?
- Enhanced global reputation: Earning 96 medals at such a high-profile competition underscores Georgian wine’s international quality and diversity.
- Accelerating growth in China: With exports booming, Georgian wines are gaining visibility in restaurants, shops, and among wine enthusiasts in Asia.
- Market leverage: Awards make Georgian wines more attractive to importers, distributors, and retailers focused on quality and uniqueness.
Conclusion
With 96 awards at the SIWC, Georgia demonstrates why it’s one of the world’s most historic yet innovative wine regions. Its wines—rooted in 8,000 years of tradition—are shining on the international stage, especially in key markets like China. As Georgian producers continue blending ancient techniques like qvevri aging with modern winemaking, global expectations are rising—and Georgia is more than delivering.
بدون دیدگاه