Several Georgian wines produced using the traditional method of winemaking in Qvevris (large clay jars) received an award.

Jean-Marie Aurand met with the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Otar Danelia. The Minister highlighted the importance that his country attached to his presence at the OIV and indicated that he wished to develop collaboration with the Organisation even further.

The Director General also visited the National Wine Agency as well as the Scientific Research Center in Jigaura, which has a collection of over 525 native vine varieties grown in Georgia. In addition, he went to Tbilisi University, which has a significant vitiviniculture department, and paid a visit to several vitivinicultural companies near to the capital and in Kakheti.

Georgia produces over a million hectolitres of wine per year and exports about 40% of its production.

Inseparable from the country's history and culture, Georgian viticulture is demonstrating its ambitions for both tradition and modernity.

This competition, organised by the Deutsche Wein Marketing allowed to taste and evaluate the surprising number of more than 1200 different samples from all around the world.

The Portugal Wine Trophy plays also a prominent role in the international ranking of wine competitions.

To ensure the respect of the OIV standards for international wine competitions, this competition had the presence of OIV’s expert commissioner Jean-Claude Ruf: Scientific Coordinator and Head of Unit of Health and Security of the Organisation.

A member of the World Federation of Major International Wine and Spirits Competitions (VINOFED) and placed under the patronage of the OIV, this competition stands out due to the fact that it showcases one country in each year, and for this 15th anniversary of this competition, the guest of honour was Hungary.

On this occasion, Mr Peter Gàl, Deputy State Secretary at the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture and delegate for his country to the OIV, presented the various aspects of the Hungarian vitivinicultural field, its economy and professional structure. Furthermore, the sommelier Fruzsina Nagy emphasised the diversity of wine-growing areas, specific vine varieties and wine varieties produced in Hungary that were made available for discovery during a guided tasting.

Placed under the patronage of the OIV, this competition brought together 140 wines of the Malvasia vine variety from 5 different countries.

On this occasion, Mr Jean-Marie Aurand met with the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Tihomir Jakovina. He confirmed the desire of Croatia, a member of the OIV since 2001, to continue its involvement in the work of the OIV.

The Director General praised the Croatian experts' contribution to the activities of the Organisation and also proposed that Croatia organise a wine presentation at the OIV headquarters in 2016.

Croatia has begun a process of modernising its vitivinicultural sector in recent years, especially by promoting native varieties.

During this trip, Jean-Marie Aurand was welcomed and accompanied by H.E. Frantisek Lipka, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic in Montenegro and also President of the OIV Award Jury.

The Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, H.E Dr Petar Ivanovic, played host to the Director General of the OIV at his vineyard and they had a meeting together at the Ministry.

The Minister confirmed his country's commitment to the OIV and expressed his desire to strengthen ties with the Organisation through increased participation of the Montenegrin experts in the work carried out within the various commissions. The organisation of a presentation of wines from Montenegro at the OIV Headquarters was also envisaged for 2016.

Jean-Marie Aurand informed the Minister about the work conducted at the OIV within the framework of the Strategic Plan and assured him of his full cooperation.

The Director General also visited the Plantaze estate – the biggest in Europe with over 2300 ha of vineyards and 17 million bottles produced per year. The vast majority of its wines are exported and have enjoyed great success around the world.

In addition, he gave a conference at the private university in Podgorica.

A member of the OIV since 2007, Montenegro produces quality wines, especially from native vine varieties such as Vranac or Krstac, and wishes to make the most of this potential and modernise its vitivinicultural sector in the coming years.