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Representatives of relevant services of Armenia are getting acquainted with the certification system for grape planting material in Georgia

At the Jighaura base of the LEPL Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture, the Director of the Center, Professor Levan Ujmajuridze met with representatives of the Vine and Wine Foundation of Armenia, the Ministry of Economy and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations ( FAO ).Levan Ujmajuridze introduced the guests in detail to the complete process of grapevine certification implemented in Georgia, which includes the identification of grapevine varieties, their inclusion in the national catalog, testing for viral and phytoplasma diseases according to EPPO standards, in vitro propagation in screen greenhouses (screen-houses), and the production of basic seedlings for growing mother vines.
Dr. Tekla Zakalashvili, Head of the Plant Microclonal Propagation and Virus-Free Planting Material Research Division at the Tsilkani Base, introduced the members of the delegation to the work processes taking place in the laboratory, which is one of the important links in the certification process.
The guests visited the collections of Georgian and foreign grape varieties grown at the Jighaura base, mother plants of the rootstocks and scions, screen greenhouses and the grape and wine museum space. Also, a tasting of wines made from rare Georgian grape varieties was held, where they learned about the characteristics of varietal diversity and the traditional technology of making wine in a qvevri. The tasting was led by Professor David Chichua, Head of the Viticulture and Winemaking Research Division.
The visit of representatives of the Armenian viticulture and winemaking sector highlights the growing interest in Georgia's ongoing systematic approaches to certification, standards, traceability, and research. Such cooperation is important in terms of deepening regional partnerships and sharing innovative approaches in the South Caucasus.