Georgian Winemakers Accused of Urinating in Wine for Russia
A viral internet claim alleging that Georgian winemakers routinely urinate in wine destined for Russia has been dismissed as false by employees of three major Georgian wineries, who stated that automated, camera-monitored production processes make such contamination impossible.
Consensus
- A claim circulating online alleges that Georgian winemakers urinate in wine before exporting it to Russia.
- The claim originated in a comment under a video by a Russian tourist discussing Russophobia in Georgia.
- Employees of three major Georgian wineries stated that urinating in wine during production is practically impossible due to automation and surveillance.
- The wineries confirmed that wine is produced in batches for all markets, including local ones, and not segregated by destination.
- The claim was described as baseless or a hoax by the winery employees and media outlets.
- The practice, if it occurs at all, would only be possible in informal, home-based winemaking operations.
Points of divergence
- One commenter claimed that a Moldovan friend working in Georgia said urinating in wine before bottling is a widespread practice in the country. — riamo
- A separate viral thread claimed a Georgian cafe employee admitted to urinating in khinkali ordered by Russian tourists, which was later labeled a fake by government representatives. — tg_mash
Coverage (2 sources)
- Minassali: Russians are scared of Georgians peeing in wine — РИАМО
- Employees of Georgian wineries pee in wine that is supplied to Russia — comment with such content is now actively scaring Telegram banners — Mash