"Mandatory Tasting Will Apply to All Commercial Wines Except Natural Wine from February 1, 2027," Says Levan Mekhuzla
Beginning 1 February 2027, all wines produced for commercial sale in Georgia will be subject to mandatory sensory evaluation (tasting), with the exception of wines classified as natural wine, according to Levan Mekhuzla, Chairman of the National Wine Agency of Georgia.
Commenting on the amendments to Georgia's Law on Vine and Wine, Mekhuzla explained that mandatory tasting has applied since 2017 to wines intended for export, as well as to protected designation of origin (PDO) wines marketed both domestically and internationally. Under the new legislative amendments, the requirement has been extended to include all other categories of wine produced for the domestic market.
"From 1 February 2027, all wines intended for commercial production, except those classified as 'natural wine,' will be subject to mandatory tasting. Since 2017, this requirement has applied to export wines and to protected designation of origin wines intended for both export and the domestic market. With the new amendments, mandatory tasting will also cover other categories of wines sold on the local market," said Levan Mekhuzla.
The Parliament of Georgia has approved the amendments to the Law on Vine and Wine in its third and final reading.
Under the revised legislation, the definition of a small winery has been updated, reducing its maximum annual production capacity from 40,000 litres to 25,000 litres.
The amendments also replace the term "home wine" with "natural wine." According to the new legal definition, natural wine is produced through the spontaneous fermentation of organic grape must. The use of permitted oenological practices and additives is prohibited, with the sole exception of sulphur dioxide (SO₂), whose concentration must not exceed 50 mg/L.
"These legislative changes are aimed at further improving the quality of Georgian wine. Every wine sold in Georgia or exported abroad should be free from wine faults. The exception for natural wine reflects the fact that it is a highly distinctive niche category, whose production methods and inherent characteristics differ from those of conventional wines," Mekhuzla added.
