The Parliament of Georgia considered and adopted, at III reading, amendments to the Law of Georgia on Vine and Wine.

The draft law was presented at the plenary session by Zurab Ezugbaia, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.

According to the draft law, the definition of a “small winery” is amended, and its maximum annual production capacity is reduced from 40,000 litres to 25,000 litres. In addition, the term “home wine” is replaced by the term “natural wine”, which refers to wine produced without the use of systemic pesticides, herbicides, or other chemically synthesized substances.

The draft law also introduces a requirement for the mandatory labeling of certified alcoholic beverages.

The labeling of alcoholic beverages will be carried out by the National Wine Agency, in accordance with procedures established by the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia.

Furthermore, all categories of wine intended for sale on both export markets and the domestic consumer market will be subject to mandatory organoleptic examination, with the exception of wines classified as “natural wine”.