164,000 tonnes of grapes processed in Georgia as of September 22
Out of the processed grapes, about 96,000 tonnes were of the Rkatsiteli variety, 60,000 tonnes were Saperavi, 3,300 tonnes were Kakhuri Mtsvane and the remaining were different grape varieties. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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In total 164,000 tonnes of grapes have been processed in the Georgian wine region of Kakheti as of September 22, announces the Georgian National Wine Agency.
Out of the processed grapes, about 96,000 tonnes were of the Rkatsiteli variety, 60,000 tonnes were Saperavi, 3,300 tonnes were Kakhuri Mtsvane and the remaining were different grape varieties.
The grape harvest generally begins in September in Georgia’s winemaking regions of Kakheti, Imereti and Racha, however this year it started in August in Kakheti after heavy hail and wind destroyed 4,600 ha of vineyards in about 30 villages.
- Early grape harvest begins in Kakheti after heavy hail damages 4,600 ha of vineyards
- Georgian gov’t will purchase grapes damaged by heavy hail in Kakheti wine region
The grape harvest will start in the first half of October in Georgia’s Racha-Lechkumi region. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
Head of the National Wine Agency of Georgia Levan Mukhuzla said that this year Georgia harvested less grapes, but better quality ones compared to the previous years.
This will improve the quality of wine in general which in the long run will have a positive impact on the price of Georgian wine and, consequently, on the incomes of both grape growers and entrepreneurs. High quality will allow Georgian wine to establish a proper place in export markets", he said.
The grape harvest will start in the first half of October in Georgia’s Racha-Lechkumi region, which is famous with its Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli grape varieties. The famous semi-sweet Georgian red wine of Khvanchkara is made exactly from these unique grape varieties.
The Georgian government has decided to subsidise the 2021 grape harvest due to the post-pandemic situation in order to financially support farmers.
Georgia exported 65 million bottles of wine to 59 countries in January-August 2021, which is an increase of 19% compared to the same period of 2020, says the Georgian National Wine Agency. By selling wine abroad Georgia generated $145 million. Revenues increased by 13% year-on-year. Meanwhile, Georgia exported 22 million bottles of Georgian brandy (+21%) and 570,000 bottles of chacha (+115%) abroad in the first eight months of 2021.
The Georgian government will purchase grapes as a result of heavy hail and wind in the Georgian wine region of Kakheti, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili stated today.
The grape harvest has started early in the Georgian wine region of Kakheti after heavy hail and wind destroyed 4,600 ha of vineyards in about 30 villages this week. Farmers are picking hail-damaged grapes in the towns of Kvareli, Gurjaani, Lagodekhi and Telavi in Kakheti.
The Government of Georgia intends to assist in the generation of $1 billion from wine exports in the next 10 years, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has announced at a meeting with winemakers held at Chateau Zegaani, in Kakheti region today.
The Georgian government has allocated 14 million GEL in subsidies to assist in the harvesting of grapes damaged by heavy hail in the Georgian wine region of Kakheti on August 27 and September 2. The government is also subsidising the 2021 grape harvest to financially support farmers during the pandemic
Specific measures necessary for an “organised and successful” grape harvest in Georgia this season were discussed by Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Government officials earlier today.