President Saakashvili met with leading Georgian winemakers on April 5 and said that Russia’s decision to ban Georgian wine imports should trigger Georgia “to seek new markets.” The meeting took place in the eastern Georgian region of Kakheti, which is famous for its wine production.

“This [ban on the wine import] is a direct blow to Kakheti... We will do our best to save the wine export [industry] and it will be saved because nobody will force the Georgian people to give up [wine production],” Saakashvili said.
 
“I think that this [ban on Georgian wine import] is a temporary measure, but I also think that this might be useful for us, because they made us seek new markets,” the Georgian President added.

Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said on April 5 that the government will grant wine producing companies tax exemptions for three months, amid Russia’s ban on Georgian wine imports.