Azerbaidjan

This country, which used to be part of the Soviet Bloc, has seen many changes in recent years.

The viticulture and viniculture sector has suffered much damage. Today, only 9,000 hectares remain, producing 62,000 tonnes of grapes a year. The Ministry of Economic Development has launched a programme envisaging the replanting of 60,000 hectares between now and 2007.

Most wine factories have been abandoned. The equipment dating from the Soviet era is in very poor condition.

Sparkling wines in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan has a Sampan factory (making local lightly sparkling wine) near Baku. It is one of the few companies with productive equipment and produces about 20 million bottles of sparkling wine a year.

Source: ADEPTA’s letter Nº 2005/08