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NEW YORK, June 29, 2021 / PRNewswire / – The National Wine Agency of the country’s Ministry of Agriculture Georgia reports that qvevri (pronounced KWEH-vree) are the first non-agricultural product to be listed in the Georgian National Register of Protected Geographical Indications (PGI). This IGP legally establishes Georgia as the place of origin of the qvevri, as well as codifies their forms, capacities, raw materials and methods of production.
Qvevri handmade in production. Photo credit: J. Peterson / Marq Wine Group
The Georgian State Register of Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) aligns with the EU classification system. Like the French system, the IGP appellation is similar to a VDP (Vin de Pays) classification. Now under IGP regulation, only raw materials obtained in Georgia should be used for the production of qvevri.
Qvevri are large clay vessels – often 1000 liters or more – that are buried up to the neck to keep temperatures constant during fermentation and aging. In the traditional method, the winegrowers ferment the juices and skins together and skin contact transforms what would otherwise be white wines into amber wines with tannins (some outlets have nicknamed these wines “orange wines”). Winemakers use qvevri to ferment red grapes as well as white grapes. Qvevri are also used to age and preserve wines.
President of the National Center for Intellectual Property of Georgia (Sakpatenti) Mindia Davitadze explains: “Georgia is the archaeologically proven birthplace of wine, and the Georgians have been making wine in qvevri continuously for 8,000 years, so the award of the IGP was a natural decision …
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Levan Davitashvili, said: “With the increasing popularity of amber and natural wines, the demand for qvevri wine is on the rise. Georgia and internationally. For example, over the past five years, exports of qvevri wine to the United States have grown by an average of over 34%. Now you can even see wines produced in qvevri (as well as in Italy, Slovenia, and many other countries). The new qvevri IGP is expected to further increase the overall demand for Georgian wine, increase its value and facilitate the global promotion of Georgian wine. “
Qvevri are handcrafted by Georgia master potters. In 2013, the United Nations added qvevri winemaking to the UNESCO list documenting the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
press contact
Christine Deussen
Deussen Global Communications, Inc.
New York, New York State
Mobile: 917-545-1459
[email protected]
Business & Strategy Contact
Julie peterson
Wines from Georgia – American office
Marq Wine Group
Washington DC
Mobile: 202-999-7533
[email protected]
Related files
Wines Georgia Facts and Figures March 2021.pdf
GeorgiaMap_8.5×11-1024×791.jpg
Related images
handmade-qvevri-in-production.jpg
Handmade Qvevri in production
Qvevri handmade in production. Photo credit: J. Peterson / Marq Wine Group
SOURCE The National Wines Agency of the Pays de Georgia
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