Russia approves Georgian wine and fizzy water

Levan Davitashvili, Chairman of the National Wine Agency. (Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–The Russian consumer safety bureau Rospotrebnadzor confirms that 36 Georgian wine companies and four mineral water companies are ready to enter the Russian market.

On Wednesday, the agency, which is a federal service for protection consumers’ rights and human well-being, published a list of products which have been approved after going through an inspection procedure.

The first group of six experts arrived in Georgia on February 25 to spend four days here inspecting the production of wine and mineral water. According to Levan Davitashvili, Chairman of the National Wine Agency, the next group will arrive on March 25.

He says the results of the first inspection were successful. Only one wine company didn’t pass the quality control.

Among the approved products are well-known mineral waters Borjomi and Sairme; while among wines are Bagrationi 182, Badagoni, Kindzmarauli Marani, Sarajishvili, Teliani Valley and others.

Head of Rospotrebnadzor Genady Onishenko told Russian media on Wednesday that on the first stage it was planned to inspect 39 companies producing alcohol; however two companies refused, explaining that they have small production.

He also said that 93 Georgian companies expressed a desire to export their product to the Russian market and 57 of them are left to inspect.

Among alcoholic drinks, only wine and cognac have so far been approved for export. When it comes to Vodka, Genady Onishenko says it will become clear on the next visit of the group of inspectors.

Levan Davitashvili, Chairman of the National Wine Agency, today told journalists that wine companies which have been approved will not yet export to Russia. They will have to wait until the rest of the companies have received approval.

He said that the companies want common starting conditions and also due to collegiality the approved companies will wait until the remaining companies are finished registering; only then will they start exporting their products.