Russian market important for Georgian wines

Since Russia closed its market to Georgian wines, winemakers here looked for alternative markets, with some success. However, foreign demand has not yet absorbed the difference. Although it will not be easy to return to the Russian market, it reintroducing Georgian wine to Russia will be easier than entering some highly competitive western markets, think economists. Most Georgian winegrowers hope that eventually Georgian wines will be making a return to Russian markets.

The Russian embargo had a clearly positive impact on Georgian wines, however, which were forced to increase quality to comply with western standards. As a result Georgian wines are now shipped to 48 countries, although the total quantity sold abroad is still less than what Russia imported from Georgia before 2006.