Georgian PM: Georgia’s 8 000-year winemaking tradition shaped nation’s history and culture

Georgian wine is one of the most important symbols of the nation’s identity, and the continuous tradition of winemaking began on this land 8 000 years ago, significantly shaping the country’s history and culture, said on Friday Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze while addressing a conference dedicated to National Wine Day.

In his address, Kobakhidze stressed that wine is an inseparable part of Georgian traditions and hospitality, while more than 525 endemic grape varieties place Georgia among the world’s leading wine-producing nations.

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to participate in the opening of this conference dedicated to National Wine Day, which focuses on discussing the prospects of Georgian wine in the global market. Georgian wine is one of the most important symbols of our identity. It was on this land, 8 000 years ago, that the great and uninterrupted tradition of winemaking began, a tradition that has significantly shaped our country’s history and culture”, the prime minister said.

Kobakhidze also noted that in 2017 the international scientific community officially recognised Georgia as the cradle of wine civilisation, adding that the traditional Georgian ‘qvevri’ winemaking method was granted the status of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013, confirming the uniqueness of the ancient technique.

“In 2017, the global scientific community officially recognised that Georgia is the cradle of wine civilisation. In 2013, the traditional Georgian method of ‘qvevri’ winemaking was granted the status of Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, confirming the uniqueness of this method. With more than 525 endemic grape varieties, Georgia holds one of the leading positions in the world in terms of wine diversity”, the prime minister concluded.