One Grand-prize, two Gold, one Silver and 13 Bronze medals – these are the results of the first try of Georgian Wines and Spirits at Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Competition. Grand-prize and one gold medal were swept by Saperavi Barrel Select 2006 of Kindzmaraulis Marani and another gold went to Chacha of Chateu Mukhrani.
Silver was obtained by Kakhetian Tsolikauri 2010 of Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking. Three Bronzes went to Sarajishvili spirits, two of each to Khareba Winery and Bagration 1882 (including food matching with Sushi award), each Bronze to Tbilvino, Koncho & Co., Corporation Georgian Wine, Kindzmaraulis Marani, Chateau Mukhrani, Corporation Kindzmarauli.
Total number of entries in the competition reached 8,000 this year and out of these, 37 Georgian brands were submitted. The share of Georgian entries in the competition was only 0.46% of total number but the share of medals in wine category achieved 2% in wine and 4% in spirits category.
Success of Georgian wines and spirits stood out especially on the background of two Golds won by the US (same result) and one Gold by Italy. Most Gold medals went to Australian (12) and French (5) wines and spirits. Spirits category was even more competitive, offering only 10 Golds ths year and half of these were swept by Scotland and two by Mexico. France and Sweden received one-tenth of the Gold share each alike Georgia, which was competing with outstanding Chacha of Chateau Mukhrani.
The winner of Gold medal, Saperavi Barrell 2006 by Kindzmaraulis Marani has been the main success for Georgia in the competition, winning also the Trophy (Grand prize) among only 20 candidates/countries competing in the wine category.
The submission of entries in the competition was carried out with assistance and professional consultation of Hong Kong Wine Consulting Company (IWC), a partner of the National Investment Agency, which has organized attendance of 40 Asian traders and importers to Trade With Georgia 2011 – Beverages Tradeshow and B2B Forum to be held on 25-26 November in Tbilisi. The event will be organized by the Georgian National Investment Agency under patronage of Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development.
The results have been announced along with the launch of the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair (HKIWSF), which is the largest scale and the most prestigeous fair in Asia accomodating about 700 participants and more than 14,000 traders annually. There are seven Georgian companies participating in the fair (Bagrationi 1882, Chateau Mukhrani, Tbilvino, Khareba Winery, Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking, Corporation Georgian Wine, Sarajishvili) and all are coming back home with at least one medal.
Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Competition (HKIWSC) processes over 5,000 entries annually from alcoholic beverage producers worldwide. HKIWSC winners benefit from a year round free advertisement campaign from the organizers. Participation of Georgian companies was initiated and co-funded by the Export Support Service of Georgian National Investment Agency and organized by the Georgian Wine Association. Support for media coverage was kindly attracted by the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China in Tbilisi.
