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Levan Davitashvili together with the representatives of the wine sector discussed 2019 grape harvest related organizational issues
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Levan Davitashvili together with the Chairman of National Wine Agency, Levan Mekhuzla met with the representatives of wine sector to discuss 2019 grape harvest related organizational issues.
According to the Minister, fruitful cooperation and coordinated work between the state and the private sector will hopefully ensure a smooth running of the 2019 grape harvest .
“This year we are expecting a plentiful harvest considering grape quality / quantity. This year, all innovations embracing grape harvest will promote better organization of harvest, ensure registration, accountability and traceability, which is an essential tool for improving Georgian wine production efficiency.
Taking steps to ensure the quality of Georgian wine is a permanent and irreversible process. Consequently, Ministry will take even more active steps in terms of quality control and conduct monitoring after the grape harvest comes to an end ”said the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.
The Chairman of the National Wine Agency, Levan Mekhuzla provided participants with the technical details, procedural issues and news related to the grape harvest 2019.
This year, one of the important issue includes the registration of grape delivered to the wineries. Last year, only Saperavi grape varieties were registered. An administrative resource of the National Wine Agency is already mobilized to ensure a smooth running of the harvest.
Due to the diversity of grape varieties, the country is divided into a number of micro-zones, accordingly, this year, during the grape harvest, the grape will be delivered in the ‘’Kindzmarauli’’, ‘’Akhasheni’’, ‘’Mukuzani’’, and ‘’Kvareli’’ micro-zone grape enterprises only on the basis of vineyard cadastral extract. Levan Mekhuzla noted, that Georgia shares experience of other wine producing countries, therefore, quantity of grape was defined as 10 tons per hectare to ensure the quality of wine, although grape will be considered as Saperavi wine variety if it exceeds 10 tons and doesn’t have cadastral extracts.
As noted at the meeting, to certify the cadastre extract, the viticulturists should apply to the relevant departments in the villages of the municipalities until September 1, 2019.
The Deputy Ministers of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, representatives of the National Wine Agency and the winemaking sector attended the meeting held at the National Wine Agency .