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Georgia defies global wine production slump
While global wine production has hit historic lows, Georgia has bucked the trend with its 2024 vintage, according to new data.
Global wine production in 2024 has fallen to its lowest levels since 1961, according to new figures from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).
Extreme weather events, including drought and hail, were major contributors to the sharp decline, which has left the wine industry grappling with challenges across traditional regions.
However, amid the global downturn, Georgia has emerged as a rare bright spot. With both quality and volume surpassing recent years, the 2024 Georgian wine vintage has been hailed as “exceptional”.
According to the Georgian National Wine Agency, the 2024 harvest was 20% above the five-year average and 27% higher than 2023, a year that saw significant losses due to hail.
Producers have welcomed the rebound not just for its scale but for the quality it brought across all regions of Georgia, with the red grape variety Saperavi particularly lauded.
“The 2024 vintage in Georgia was greatly welcomed by producers, as 2023 was a demanding year with significant losses,” said Sarah Abbott, Master of Wine and director of the Georgian Wine UK Promotional plan, on behalf of the Georgian National Wine Agency.
“This year has delivered exceptional quality, especially for Saperavi, which has been widely praised by producers,” she told db.
Georgian wine growing internationally
The strong performance comes against a backdrop of growing interest in Georgian wine on the international stage. The country has seen positive export figures, particularly in strategic markets like the UK and the US.
A recent report by IWSR highlighted that exports of Georgian wine to the UK grew by 40% from 2022 to 2023, underlining the market’s increasing appetite for Georgia’s often unique offerings.
Producers and stakeholders are looking to capitalise on this momentum.
Investment in marketing and trade events is set to increase in 2025, with expanded participation at key fairs such as the London Wine Fair and ProWein, Abbott explained to db. Next year will also mark 25 years of Georgian producers exhibiting at ProWein, a milestone the industry plans to celebrate with a significant presence.
The positive vintage and export figures come at a critical time for Georgian wine, which has been working to build its profile globally. In April 2024, db reported that only 2% of UK-based drinkers are aware that Georgia is actually one of the birthplaces of wine.
Known for its ancient winemaking traditions, including the use of qvevri (large clay vessels) to ferment and age wine, Georgia has increasingly positioned itself as a producer of high-quality wines that appeal to both adventurous consumers and fine wine enthusiasts.
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