News
Qvevri granted with the status of protected geographical indication
Qvevri is the first non-food product, which has been indicated into the State Register of Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications. The respective certificate has been awarded to the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (MEPA), Mr Levan Davitashvili by Mr Mindia Davitadze, Chairperson of the Georgian National Intellectual Property Center “Sakpatenti”.“The Georgian wine has been harvesting an increasing popularity both, at Georgian and foreign markets, which has significantly boosted visibility. Therefore, Qvevri requires more attention as the latter has a profound impact on the wine quality. UNESCO’s recognition has imposed a bigger responsibility upon us. The Government has had endless efforts for promoting wine made in Qvevri. The Ministry has shaped a standard of Qvevri, which embraces historical heritage and preserves our memory in this regard. We have actively joined efforts with the Sakpatenti and our cooperation has harvested that the Qvevri is the first-ever non-food product to have a status of the protected geographical location in Georgia. The latter achievement will accelerate the process of promoting Georgian Qvevri wine both, in Georgia, as well as abroad” – Minister Levan Davitashvili stated.
The year of 2013 has marked recognition of an ancient Georgian traditional wine-making method as the UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which celebrated uniqueness of the respective method and is a message to an entire world that wine-making heritage is at core of Georgian culture.
The MEPA has accurately filled out the respective registration forms, which has dealt with size, shape, material, composition, production methodology and other characteristics of Qvevri. These peculiarities are vital for improving Georgian wine and serves as yet another progressive step made forward.
“The Qvevri has been added to the State Register of Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications. The respective registration process has been initiated by Minister; thus, I would like express my appreciation for such an initiative. The process was launched last year and has successfully commenced every stage” – Mr Mindia Davitadze stated.
Transforming Qvevri into the geographical indication is a vital event for Georgia, which has enjoyed 8 thousand years of an undisrupted history. Georgian traditional wine-making is closely tied to Qvevri, which is an intangible intellectual resource of the Georgian nation.
Almost each and every Georgian wine-making company produces Qvevri wine, which has embraced an increased export volume. At this stage, some of the wine-makers are producing wine in Italy, USA, France, Spain, Japan, Slovenia and other countries with the Georgian Qvevri.