Posted: 18.06.2024
Zakarpattia wines have received Geographical Indication. Why is this so important for Ukrainian winemaking?
A historic event for Zakarpattia winemaking – the Geographical Indication “Zakarpattia/Zakarpattia Wine” has been granted. On May 30, the Public Union “Grapegrowers and Winemakers of Zakarpattia” officially received the certificate. Origin protection is a global practice for wines and other unique products that tell people about their region. A label on a wine bottle indicates both quality and uniqueness. It’s a signal to consumers from global shelves – something worth paying attention to. And from today, this perspective is available for Zakarpattia wines.
The event was significant and celebratory, held in the atrium of the Zakarpattia Regional Council with the participation of esteemed guests, including the head of the Zakarpattia Regional State Administration Viktor Mykyta, the general director of the corporation “Ukrvinprom” Volodymyr Kucherenko, and others.
“This is a step towards recognizing and preserving the unique winemaking heritage of our region. I sincerely thank everyone who, despite the war, keeps moving forward, making dreams and plans a reality, uniting people, and strengthening Ukraine”, said the head of the Regional State Administration.
“An important step in the development of this winemaking region, as it not only emphasizes the uniqueness of Zakarpattia wines but also strengthens their position in the international market”, noted Mr. Kucherenko.
It is important and joyful for the entire viticulture and winemaking industry of Zakarpattia: these are new opportunities and prospects for wines created on the “Land close to heaven”, as our region is called.
It is also a happy moment for our company. More than 5 years have passed since the dream became a reality thanks to the efforts of many people, a team driven towards the goal by the founder of Chateau Chizay, Hugo Gutman.
He says, “Now is a new stage. We are developing clear rules for granting the right to label wines with the Geographical Indication (GI) of Zakarpattia producers. We have requested methodologies from our French and Hungarian colleagues to use the best practices.
The goal is to provide producers with the most detailed and understandable ‘roadmap.’ Absolutely transparent”.
A Geographical Indication is analogous to the European PGI system, a wine of controlled designation of origin.
A Geographical Indication protects uniqueness, helps achieve international success, aids in preserving winemaking as part of culture, and increases value.
Here’s why a Geographical Indication (GI) is important for Zakarpattia:
🍇 Protection of Uniqueness – A GI ensures that the name is used exclusively for wines produced in the region, guaranteeing authenticity and protecting against counterfeits.
🍇 Wines with a GI embody the history and culture of the region, becoming a part of its heritage.
🍇 Economic Benefit – A GI can increase the market value of wine, promoting economic growth and creating jobs.
🍇 International Recognition – Wines with a GI receive more attention on global markets, increasing export opportunities.
🍇 Preservation of Biodiversity – A GI encourages winemakers to maintain traditional viticulture methods, supporting the preservation of local varieties.
Therefore, obtaining a Geographical Indication for Zakarpattia wines is a step towards recognizing and preserving the unique winemaking heritage of the region.
This long and significant journey of the Public Association “Winemakers and Vinegrowers of Zakarpattia” was undertaken with an incredible team of specialists and experts. Here are the individuals we would like to extend special thanks to:
🤍 Anatoliy Poloskov, longtime General Director of Chateau Chizay and a patriot of Ukrainian winemaking
🤍 Saverio Savio, Head of the EU Project “Support to the Development of the Geographical Indications System in Ukraine”
🤍 Experts: Olena Motuzenko, Darko Jakšič, Hanna Antonyuk, Zhenya Nikolaychuk
🤍 Corporation Ukrvinprom and Volodymyr Kucherenko
🤍 Yulia Prokhoda, lawyer and patent attorney
🤍 Yuriy Bandurovych, Director of the Zakarpattia Branch of the State Institution “Soil Protection Institute of Ukraine”
Without these wonderful professionals and without the initiative of Hennadii Gutman and his team, the people who kept the process under control and lived this work, this achievement would not have happened.
Anatoliy Poloskov comments on the event: “Many years ago, Hennadii Yosypovych Gutman entrusted me with starting this work. Together with representatives of the European mission, we traveled a long road. I fulfilled the task within my understanding of the importance of geographical indication mechanisms, and in recent days, celebrations on this occasion took place in Uzhhorod.
The scale of the celebrations corresponded to the historic nature of the event: the first wine GI of Zakarpattia was registered. There may be dozens of other registered indications in the future, but this GI will always be the main and first. Therefore, I feel that the first stage of the work has been qualitatively completed. It is just the first stage, because if we stop now, it will all end with the presence of a beautiful Certificate of Registration for the wine GI ‘Zakarpattia/Zakarpattia Wine.’ So, step by step, we need to conquer the next stages that will lead to the main goal – wines with the geographical indication of Zakarpattia will enhance the reputation and added value through their uniqueness.
The presence of a GI registration certificate will not make the wine better. It is a tool for promoting the best wines on the international and domestic market. Therefore, vinegrowers and winemakers now have more work to do. But the prospects are also greater”.
Congratulations to the entire viticulture and winemaking industry of Zakarpattia! Let there be good!
