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(Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian wine may be presented at the Sochi Winter Olympics.

Levan Davitashvili, head of the Georgian National Wine Agency, on Friday told journalists that Georgian wine is successfully sold in the Russian market and it is up to distributors and importers whether to market their wine products at the Olympics.

“Georgian wine will probably be seen at the Sochi Olympics, as it is really successful on the Russian market,” he said. “Georgian companies welcome this, of course, however there is no preliminarily planned and coordinated decisions about this issue.”

It was first reported by Russian media about a month ago that Georgian wine may be presented at the Sochi Olympics. Georgia denied this, and Davitashvili said that the National Wine Agency didn’t plan to have advertising for Georgian wine at the Olympics.

Georgian wine was prohibited in Russia in 2006, ostensibly for quality reasons, but it was seen by many as a reaction against Georgia accusing four Russian diplomats of being spies.

After the change of government in Georgia in 2012, the new government started negotiations to resume export of Georgian wine and agriculture products to Russia, which Russia agreed to.

According to Davitashvili, the interest in Georgian wine increases day by day in the international market, also in Russia.

In 2013, Georgia exported 47 million bottles (0.75 liter) to 46 countries and 22 million of this went to Russia. The export of alcohol products amounted USD 231 829 540, which is 42 percent more than in 2012.

There was a presentation of Georgian wine at the Eastern Partnership Vilnius Summit in 2013.