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A delegation of French scientists visited the Jighaura Perennial Crops Experimental and Demonstration Base

A representative delegation of scientists from France specializing in viticulture and winemaking agro-ecology, physiology, and microbiology visited the Jighaura Perennial Crops Experimental and Demonstration Base of the Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture.

Levan Ujmajuridze, Director of the Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture, introduced the delegation to the important projects implemented and ongoing by the Center; the plantations of local grape varieties, where about 1,000 genotypes are represented, aroused particular interest. Levan Ujmajuridze focused on the unique genetic resources of grapevines, as well as fruit trees and agro-forestry crops, discovered through many years of work and preserved in the Jighaura collective plantations, and their importance in preserving biodiversity.

The delegation of foreign guests, consisting of representatives of the National Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE, Montpellier) and partner research organizations (Bordeaux, Gironde), got acquainted with the areas of activity of Georgian scientists, which related to the identification of grapevine varieties by ampelographic signs, clonal selection, production of basic materials for scions and rootstocks, certification, adoption of varieties adapted to climate change, microvinification and other important issues.

Within the framework of the memorandum signed between the LEPL Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture and the French National Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE), the parties discussed future joint international projects, which concern the complex ampelographic work underway in the collections of Jighaura and Vassal (Montpellier), France, including the updating of databases and the cultivation of a new test plot.

At the end of the meeting, the members of the French delegation tasted samples of wine made from local grape varieties preserved in the Jighaura collective plantation. The tasting was organized by the employees of the Scientific-Research Center for Viticulture and Winemaking.