Sakpatenti has Granted the Status of Appellation of Origin to 3 Georgian Products

The National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia – “Sakpatenti” has granted the status of appellation of origin to 3 unique Georgian products. “Askhi Mountain Sulgiuni” on the basis of the application of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, wine “Lechkhumi” on the basis of the application of LEPL National Wine Agency and wine “Racha” on the basis of the application of association of winegrowers “Khvanchaka were registered as appellations of origin. 

“Askhi Mountain Sulguni” is a cheddar-type cheese, its microzone includes the landscape-geobotanical area of Askhi Mountain. The milk used for its production is obtained mainly from Megrelian red breed cows (or their crosses) or Megrelian goats after their movement from the pastures to the mountains, from the second half of May to mid-October, during which period the animals feed only on subalpine and alpine pasture grass. 

Wine “Lechkhumi” is a dry wine that can be white and amber. The microzone is located in Lechkhumi and it includes the area of Rioni, Lajanuri and Tskhenistskali valleys, distinguished by favourable soil and climatic conditions for viticulture, located within the administrative boundaries of Tsageri Municipality. Wine “Lechkhumi” can be made only from grapes of Tsolikouri variety grown in the corresponding microzone. The use of other varieties is not allowed. 

Wine “Racha” is a dry red wine that can be made only from grapes of Alexandrouli and Mujuretuli varieties grown in Racha microzone. It is also permitted to use in total up to 15% Kabistoni, Dzelshavi and Saperavi varieties from the same microzone.

The detailed specifications of registered appellations of origin are available at the following link: https://www.sakpatenti.gov.ge/ka/state_registry/ 

In Georgia registration of geographical indications and appellations of origin is the authority of Sakpatenti. These statuses are granted to special Georgian products. Geographical indications and appellations of origin inform consumers about the origin of a specific product and the unique characteristics attributable to its place of origin, the environmental conditions existing there and the traditional knowledge of production, disseminated among the local population, which ultimately defines the distinctiveness and uniqueness of each such product. 

As of today, 42 appellations of origin and 32 geographical indications are registered in Georgia. Granting of the status of a geographical indication and an appellation of origin ensures protection and competitiveness of products on local and international markets, which creates a solid foundation for the agricultural and economic development of the country, in general.

In the near future, on the basis of the Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration, the relevant database in the Lisbon Treaty Registry, administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), will be updated. Sakpatenti will also carry out necessary measures to protect new geographical indications and, to extend international protection to new products, will apply to the European Union for the renewal of the list of geographical indications provided for by relevant annexes to the “Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and Georgia, of the other part”. It will also apply to the Swiss Confederation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine to renew the lists of geographical indications provided for by the existing agreements on mutual recognition and protection of geographical indications.