The Ministry has already started working to ensure the organized vintage performance
The Ministry has already started working to ensure the organized vintage performance
In order to improve the quality of Georgian wine, during the vintage 2021, the control over the productivity limits determined by the specifications of the PDO will be tightened. In addition, it is planned to hold the harvest on the bases of the Vineyard Cadaster Program data and to develop an electronic program for managing the queues during grape delivery.
The above-mentioned issues were discussed by the Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Otar Shamugia at a meeting with the heads of Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti regional administrations and mayors of local municipalities in Ambrolauri.
According to the Deputy Minister, preparations for the vintage have already begun to ensure an organized and smooth process of storing the grape harvest in the fall.
"Last year, a record number of grapes were harvested in the Racha-Lechkhumi region; Consequently, the income of viticulturists has also increased significantly. However, there were also pandemic challenges that we must tackle together and make the 2021 vintage a success. It is very important that the information about the planned measures to improve the quality of Georgian wine is delivered to the viticulturist farmers in a timely manner. The information-consulting services of the Ministry are actively working in this direction, which will start meetings in all the villages of the region together with the representatives of the National Wine Agency in May. Similar meetings have already been held in Kakheti region,” Otar Shamugia said.
It should be noted that this year, it is planned to complete the vineyard cadaster program in Kakheti and Racha-Lechkhumi regions, which is important for the development of the viticulture and winemaking sector and the promotion of quality wine production. Cadastral works of vineyards in Racha-Lechkhumi region were carried out in 2014. As the area of vineyards in the region has significantly increased since then, aerial photography of Tvishi and Khvanchkara micro-zones will be carried out this year to update the data.
As Papuna Margvelidze, State Representative of Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, noted, the planned innovations are timely and especially important for the population of Racha-Lechkhumi region, whose economic income directly depends on the viticulture and winemaking sector.
According to the Chairman of the National Wine Agency, Levan Mekhuzla, the sugar content of the grapes to be delivered, which is determined by the relevant normative documents, defines the quality of the grapes, which will be reflected in its market value.
Lasha Shalamberidze, Head of the Rural Relations Department of the Rural Development Agency, spoke about the activities within which farmers will receive comprehensive information on projects planned and ongoing by the Ministry, including the electronic program for managing rows during the harvest.