Otar Shamugia expresses concerns over quality of Georgian wine

Tbilisi: The Georgian Minister of Environment and Agriculture Otar Shamugia, Deputy Minister Yuri Nozadze, Director of Scientific Research Center of Agriculture, Levan Ujmajuridze and Chairman of the National Wine Agency of Georgia recently visited the wine laboratory named after Irma Chanturia, where they inspected the newest laboratory equipment, ongoing work and discussed the future plans for the development of quality of the Georgian Wine.

According to the minister, the image of Georgian wine remains a priority for the state. With increased export conditions, quality control remains one of the main challenges. Accordingly, in view of the international demands, the wine laboratory capabilities are getting stronger.

Otar Shamugia stated: “In recent years, we have made important investments and reforms in the field of winemaking. Accordingly, the area of vineyards, as well as wine production, increased export indicators, dozens of new modern enterprises were created. 

At the same time, it becomes important to maintain quality and we must pay attention to it. This year another step has been taken in this direction – since January 1, it has become mandatory to certify wines produced and supplied to consumers in Georgia.

“This is another step to improving wine quality. Strengthening laboratory capabilities is particularly important – a successful wine laboratory that conducts research with modern standards. The wine laboratory in our system has recently been equipped with additional modern technology. The laboratory serves our entrepreneurs, develops and conducts relevant research, which is important to control wine quality,” Otar Shamugia said.

In order to develop a Georgian wine quality system and promote the transition of the private sector to European standards, “Irma Chanturia Wine Laboratory” has been operating in accordance with various certification requirements.

 As the director of the laboratory, Tinatin Jajanidze, noted, in order to strengthen quality control and conduct research at the international level, the laboratory has equipped with the latest expensive equipment, which provides superior performance than heavy metals conducting test, as well as increasing the performance of alcohol testing.

 It is noteworthy that the laboratory has long-term cooperation with the Austrian company “Anton Paar”. In order to conduct experimental work, the Austrian side has handed over to the laboratory a tool that defines 15 basic parameters of a wine and/or wine sample with absolute accuracy. Also, it is already possible to determine isotope ratios of different grades in the laboratory, which meets the requirements of some major market countries.