In accordance with the Item 1.3 of the "State Program on the development of viticulture in the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2012-2020", the improvement of the regulatory framework for the activities in the field of viticulture and wine-making is one of the most important measures to be taken to ensure the development of viticulture and wine-making. In this regard, the establishment of the Central Tasting Commission on alcoholic beverages is of particular importance.
The main purpose of the Commission is to assess the quality of alcoholic beverages in the following cases:
1) Goods allowed for production and sale;
2) Goods exported abroad and imported into the country;
3) Goods presented at fairs, competitions, international exhibitions.
According to the Article 24.1 of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on viticulture and wine-making, grape and wine products produced and imported in the Republic of Azerbaijan are analysed and evaluated in terms of physical, chemical, organoleptic, toxicological and radiological properties.
Scientists and specialists of the Scientific Research Institute of Viticulture and Wine-making are actively involved in the development of national standards, norms and rules.
The Agrarian Science and Information Advisory Center of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan can be one of the executive bodies appointed by the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan. There are scientific-research centers serving for different areas under this center. Scientific - Research Institute of Viticulture and Wine-making is the only scientific research institute engaged in the research of wine, raw alcohol, including alcohols produced from various fruits, rectified alcohol, brandy alcohols and alcoholic beverages produced from brandy alcohols. Not only physic-chemical and organoleptic characteristics are determined in this institute, but also technologies of the new types of alcoholic beverages produced from them are developed for production.
Scientific research works are carried out to preserve valuable wine brands and grape varieties of Azerbaijan in order to produce competitive, high-quality wines and dark drinks in accordance with the international standards, and they are tested at farms and private farms.
Therefore, we propose that the Central Tasting Commission be established under the Scientific Research Institute of Viticulture and Wine-Making of the Ministry of Agriculture. Apart from the scientists and specialists working in the Institute, the Commission can also include representatives of relevant Ministries, the State Committee for Standardization, Metrology and Patents, as well as large companies producing alcoholic beverages.
Ability to conduct organoleptic tests and evaluate quality indicators is one of the most important prerequisites for the experts to be included in the Central Tasting Commission.
Scientific Research Institute of Viticulture and Wine-Making of the Ministry of Agriculture has sufficient high skilled, experienced and highly qualified staff with the above-mentioned qualities.
At the same time we justify our proposal by the fact that this practice is existing in the most European countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus. According to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers date of April 14, 2008, No. 548 JVb, it is important to refer to the physical-chemical parameters of alcoholic beverages in the determination of their organoleptic indicators during tasting. Our institute has been supplied with modern equipment and devices that meet international standards for determination of the physical, chemical and biochemical indicators of alcoholic beverages.
Taking into account the foregoing, it is reasonable to establish a Central Testing Laboratory and Central Tasting Commission at the Scientific - Research Institute of Viticulture and Wine-making of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Scientists of the Scientific Research Institute of Viticulture and Wine-making regularly participate in international scientific congresses and tastings.
Tariyel Mahammad Panahov - Director of the Scientific Research Institute of Viticulture and Wine-making and full member of the International Academy of Viticulture and Wine-making and the European Academy of Natural Sciences has been invited to the 40th World Congress of Vine and Wine and the 15th General Assembly of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine, which took place in Bulgaria, Sofia on 29 May-02 June 2017.
Tariyel Panahov was invited as wine tasting judge and wine taster to the “Concours mondial de Bruxelles 2017” that took place on 05-07 may 2017 in Valladolid city of Castilla Province, Spain and International Tasting held in Tramonti province of Italy on 25-28 May 2017 organized by Town of Valdobbiadene, Citta del Bio I.VIN Ltd companies, as well as Citta del Vino Association and RECEVIN company under the scientific guidelines of the International Grape and Wine Association (OIV) and with the permission of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forest Policy.
Scientific Research Institute of Viticulture and Wine-making sent the wines produced in wine-making enterprises of the Republic to the International Tasting Contests for promotion of Azerbaijani wines on the international market, increase their competitiveness and reputation, as well as increase interest in this area.
