There only was thirty-five wine producers in Poland three years ago. However, according to the Agricultural Market Agency will increase up to one-hundred-fifty next year. They will produce approximately 7 000 hectolitres of wine. Is this a lot? Definitely not enough to include Poland as a wine country in the International Organization of Vine and Wine report (OIV). What is the obstacle for the Polish wine producers?
Beaujolais Nouveau Day is the celebration that has been occurring near Lyon for several years. This tradition has also reached Poland, which isn’t surprising since Polish wine is becoming increasingly esteemed.
Worldwide decrease – increase in Poland
The latest OIV report states that in 2016, Italy will produce the most wine (49 million hectolitres). The report also states that the runners-up, France, will produce 41.9 million hectolitres. The third place in this classification went to Spain. - We drink wine daily. There’s basically no family meetings without wine. This is a custom, which is deeply rooted in our culture. Moreover, people from Spain drink wine in many different ways. For example, teenagers love kalimotxo, which is a combination of less expensive wine with cola and ice – explained Oier Fano Dadebat, a journalist from San Sebastian.
Currently the worldwide wine production is the lowest in twenty years. However, according to the Agricultural Market Agency, this trend doesn’t concern Poland. The data shows that the country had only thirty-five wine producers, three years ago. However, at the end of July, the amount of registered local wine producers was larger than one-hundred, and it continues to grow. According to estimates from the Agricultural Market Agency there will be one-hundred and fifty registered wine producers in Poland, who will produce approximately 7 000 hectolitres of wine. However, this is still not enough to include Poland as a wine country in the International Organization of Vine and Wine report (OIV). In order to be included in this report, a particular country needs to have a production above the level of one million hectolitres per year.
Vineyard worth two million
Krzysztof Fedorowicz and Marta Pohrebny are the owners of Miłosz vineyard, which is located in Łaz near Zielona Góra. They have been producing wine for twelve years. Even though they often receive phone inquiries regarding their wine from Italy, Spain or France, their production is still too small to break through to the foreign markets. The wine from Miłosz vineyard are purchased by the local customers. - There is a large shortage of wine here in Poland. Maybe in fifty years the local wine producers will produce enough wine to satisfy the Polish market, as well as sell a few pieces abroad – said Krzysztof Fedorowicz.
So, what seems to be an obstacle for Polish wine producers? They won’t be able to catch up with France, Italy or Spain because of the climate. Another issue are necessary investments. - I’ve made a business plan and it appeared that equipping the entire vineyard, which is 3.5 hectare large, will cost me 2 million PLN. This is the minimum for a professional equipment, such as tractor and plantings – said Krzysztof Fedorowicz.
Find savings abroad
Polish wine producers search for inspirations closer than in the Mediterranean countries. - We most often visit Czech Republic and Austria for inspiration. These countries have similar climate conditions for producing wine to the ones in Poland – explained Kinga Koziarska. Together with her husband, she runs Kinga vineyard, which is located in Stara Wieś near Nowa Sól.
However, it appears that Polish wine producers go abroad not only to search for inspiration, but also to buy equipment. They most often import machines and devices from Czech Republic, Austria and Germany, and sometimes from Hungary and Slovakia. The equipment can be new or used, depending on the size of vineyard, as well as its financial abilities. - Imported equipment gives large savings for Polish wine producers. Our services allow you to save up to 228 000 PLN on exchanging two million PLN to the Czech korunas – said Piotr Kiciński, Cinkciarz.pl vice-president of the Board (all currency exchange rate as given by Cinkciarz.pl on 09.11.2016).
Quality is the key
Polish wine has been gaining distinctions in the international contests. The jury of CUVEE 2016. which was held in Valtice in Czech Republic, esteemed Passage Cuve white wine from Equus vineyard, which is located in Mierzęcin. They described it as specific, original and tasty.
Each year, Łukasz Chrostowski of the Polskie Wina online store, sells approximately 15% of what Polish wine producers manage to produce, to the customers in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Denmark. This is not enough to make Polish wine noticed abroad. However, the Polish contribution in the global production has been increasing. - Exported wines should be of the highest quality, because have to prove their value. It’s not enough for them to be from Poland. They really have to be good. Their price is a less significant matter – claimed Chrostowski. Are Polish wines good? - Polish wines have a distinctive flavor and aroma, which are gaining increasingly more supporters. You can say that it has its own soul – he adds.