“Georgia Is a Real Treasure Trove of Wine” – Chinese Master of Wine Fogyee Walker Praises Georgian Winemaking Potential
With the support of the National Wine Agency of Georgia and the organization of renowned wine industry consulting company Dragon Phoenix Wine Consulting, an 11-member delegation of wine professionals from the People’s Republic of China recently visited Georgia.
The group, composed of wine experts and importers, toured key winemaking regions including Kartli, Imereti, and Kakheti. During their visit, they explored various wineries and sampled Georgian wines of diverse styles and origins.
A special Walkaround Tasting was held in Tbilisi, where 16 Georgian wine-producing companies showcased their wines. Irakli Cholobargia, representative of the Marketing and Public Relations Department of the National Wine Agency, presented the history of Georgian winemaking, the modern industry landscape, and the rich diversity of native grape varieties.
“Georgian wine has enormous potential in China, primarily because of its broad spectrum of special and unique flavors,” said Fogyee Walker, a leading wine expert at Dragon Phoenix Wine Consulting.
“When my Chinese group and I traveled to Georgia, one of the wines that stood out was Kindzmarauli. It has a flavor profile that we believe will strongly appeal to Chinese consumers. I truly think Georgian wine can thrive in China if people are educated about its history and flavor diversity. Georgia is a real treasure trove of wine that Chinese consumers have yet to discover,” she added.
During their stay, Fogyee Walker and fellow wine expert Edward Ragg, also from Dragon Phoenix Wine Consulting, met with David Songulashvili, Georgia’s Minister of Environment and Agriculture. Discussions focused on expanding Georgian wine’s presence and visibility in the Chinese market.
China is one of Georgia’s key strategic export destinations for wine. Since 2013, a targeted marketing campaign has been underway to raise awareness and boost exports. As a result, China has become one of the top five export markets for Georgian wine. According to data from the first six months of this year, 1.7 million liters of Georgian wine were exported to China—a 51% increase compared to the same period last year.
