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David Songulashvili Meets with President of the International Sommelier Guild.
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Mr. David Songulashvili, met with Mr. Joseph Miller, President of the International Sommelier Guild (ISG). The parties discussed issues related to advancing viticulture, diversifying wine markets, promoting the sommelier profession, and integrating ISG programs in Georgian universities and vocational institutions.
"The ISG President’s visit is significant for Georgia. Distinguished guests like Mr. Miller help elevate awareness of Georgian wine in international markets. They serve as ambassadors, helping us identify markets and enhance wine recognition. Additionally, sommeliers’ engagement within Georgia drives improvements in wine quality," stated Minister Songulashvili.
During the meeting, the President of the Guild emphasized the importance of international partnerships, noting that the ISG has delivered educational courses on Georgian wine in multiple countries and in 14 languages for years.
"Next month, we are launching new courses in cooperation with the Georgian Technical University. For our organization, this represents a unique opportunity to further raise global awareness of Georgian wines. Expanding our educational program means we can introduce Georgian wines to entirely new continents—be it in Asian countries, China, Japan, or the markets of Latin America—communicating in various languages. We strongly believe that through joint efforts, we can significantly increase the global popularity of Georgian wines," said Mr. Joseph Miller.
The International Sommelier Guild (ISG), founded in 1982, is now a leading global educational institution in the wine industry. The organization operates in over 40 countries and offers instruction in more than 60 institutions in 14 languages. ISG programs cover professional sommelier training, winemaking, wine business management, culinary arts, and food and beverage studies. Under Joseph Miller’s leadership, ISG has become a global leader in sommelier education and certification, supporting students’ professional development and the establishment of international standards in the industry.