Jennifer Lopez

Georgian officials, stung by Russia's recent ban on wine imports from the Caucasus country, had sought to gain some worldwide publicity for the product by inviting American star Jennifer Lopez to appear in a concert in Tbilisi.

The officials offered the famed actress, singer and dancer $500,000 for an appearance on May 26, Georgian Independence Day, and an endorsement of the country's vintages.

The star, however, rejected the offer, setting numerous conditions and demanding a much larger fee. Georgian officials had hoped to use the concert to help launch their campaign for new markets for their country's wines abroad.

Russian officials last month banned imports of Georgian and Moldovan wines, brandy and champagne, insisting that the products contain dangerous pesticides and heavy metals. Russia had been the principle export market for the beverages and officials of both countries have called the move political.