Parliament discussed and adopted, in the I reading, amendments to the Law of Georgia “On Vine and Wine” with 77 votes in favor.

The main substance of the amendments was presented to legislators by Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Zurab Ezugbaia.

According to the presenter, the definition of a “small cellar” is being changed, and the annual production capacity of a wine enterprise is reduced from 40,000 liters to 25,000 liters.

The law is also being supplemented with a new term — “marking of alcoholic beverages”.

According to Zurab Ezugbaia, the term “marking of alcoholic beverages” is defined as the placement of a mark issued by the National Wine Agency — a QR code — on the label, container, or packaging of an alcoholic beverage.

Under the amendments, organoleptic testing becomes mandatory for all categories of wine intended for export and for sale on the domestic consumer market, as well as for alcoholic beverages with a protected designation of origin produced in Georgia.

This requirement will not apply to natural wine produced in small cellars. Marking of certified alcoholic beverages intended for sale will become mandatory. The marking will be carried out by the National Wine Agency in accordance with the procedures established by the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.

As Zurab Ezugbaia noted, by 1 November 2026, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture must issue an order “On Approval of the Rules and Form for the Marking of Alcoholic Beverages” and ensure that the relevant normative acts are brought into compliance with this law.

The Government of Georgia must also ensure, by 1 February 2027, the determination of the fee for marking certified alcoholic beverages intended for sale.