The Fourth Symposium of Qvevri Wine was Opened in Ikalto
The Fourth International Symposium of Qvevri Wine was opened today in Ikalto Qvevri School-Academy. The event will last for two days and is organized by the Association "Georgian Wine".
The symposium was opened by the Metropolitan of Alaverdi, Abba David.
“The International Symposium of Qvevri Wine is held once every two years since 2011. The 4th Symposium of this year is remarkable by the international competition of the Qvevri wine, which is held for the first time within the frame of the event. We hope that this innovation will be the basis for the future Qvevri symposium to be held in any European country of wine traditions and create "Qvevri Wine Category" in the major international competitions. That's why this year the symposium is important" - stated the Metropolitan.
Tina Kezel, Executive Director of Association "Georgian Wine" welcomed the participants. According to her, holding the symposium is especially important on the background of the exhibition "Georgia - The Cradle of Wine", which is held in Wine Civilization Center in Bordeaux, France.
“This is a big achievement of our country that the exhibition "Georgia - The Cradle of Wine" will be held in France for four months. This was a big contribution of the Qvevri Wine Symposiums held in the previous years. In the Bordeaux Wine Civilization Center Georgian Qvevri is already placed, indicating that the Qvevri wine making technology is in the list of Unesco's list of the "intangible cultural heritage of humanity", this Qvevri will be in permanent exposition of the center and the first thing every visitor will see will be this Qvevri, which is a great achievement and recognition” - stated Tina Kezeli.
The first day of the symposium was dedicated to 4 scientific sessions. Chairman of National Wine Agency Giorgi Samanishvili delivered a report on the following topic: Qvevri Wine and Updated Georgian Legislation. On September 3, 5 scientific sessions will be held within the symposium and in the final part, the winners of the competition of the Qvevri wine contest will be identified and awarded.
The symposium is organized and supported by the Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia, National Wine Agency, Association "Georgian Wine" and Alaverdi Metropolitan David.
The jury of the First International Competition of Qvevri Wine is represented by Georgian and foreign professionals, including the famous American master of wine, Lisa Granik. Scientists, wine experts, masters, sommeliers and journalists are taking part in the 4th International Symposium of Qvevri Wine. The participants have the opportunity to share experiences and views on trends and challenges in wine, Qvevri wine and culinary industry.
The Qvevri Symposium was held in Georgia in 2011 and 2013. As a result of the first symposium, Georgian traditional method of Qvevri wine-making won a place on a list of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) "intangible cultural heritage of humanity".