The event “Leveraging the microbial terroir of the vineyards of Ktima Pavlidis to highlight the distinctive quality characteristics of local wines – Pavlidis Terroir” by “Ktima Pavlidis” was completed with great success and a large turnout on Wednesday, March 8, at the event hall of the Evros Prefecture building in Alexandroupoli.
Among other things, the informational workshop presented the very interesting final results of the research carried out by “Ktima Pavlidis” in collaboration with the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics of Democritus University of Thrace, under the measure “Financial Support for Research, Development & Innovation Projects in the RIS3 priority sector” of the Operational Program “Eastern Macedonia & Thrace 2014–2020”.
The goal of the Pavlidis_Terroir project was to develop higher value-added wines and to showcase successful Greek varieties with a local “terroir” and a local “signature”.
The event was honored by the presence of Giorgos Broufas, Vice Rector for Research and Lifelong Learning at Democritus University of Thrace, Theodoros Lialiaris, Dean of the School of Health Sciences at Democritus University of Thrace, Ioannis Kesanlis of the Special Managing Authority of the Operational Program of the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, and Christos Giordamlis, President of the Association of Manufacturers, Industries and Exporting Businesses of Evros and of the Network of Manufacturers' and Industries' Associations of the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
The final results of the project were highlighted by Athanasios Exarchou, Oenologist at Ktima Pavlidis, who welcomed attendees, thanked the scientists who contributed to the project's successful completion, and presented the company's journey, highlighting the comparative advantages of its varieties and its production process.
ena Development Consultants was represented by Stelios Kotopoulos, Research Program Development Consultant. In a short presentation, he spoke about ena's mission and role as a development actor in the region, its participation in flagship projects (#DigiAgriFood, eMT cluster and Thinc Thrace incubator), and the financing and development opportunities offered by the “Research – Innovate 2021–2027” program, which has been pre-announced.
Next, Marirena Grigoriou, Professor at the Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics and Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Lifelong Learning at Democritus University of Thrace, presented the DUTh Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics and its activities, spoke about the 2.5-year journey to the completion of this project, and explained to the audience what microbial terroir means and why it matters.
The final research results of Pavlidis_Terroir were presented by Anastasios Nikolaou, Postdoctoral Researcher, and Konstantinos Tegopoulos, PhD Candidate at the Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics of Democritus University of Thrace.
According to the speakers, over the course of the project they tested spontaneous fermentations and methods for analyzing the indigenous microbiome, such as isolating the DNA of all the natural microbes found on the fruit, isolating wild yeast strains, and micro-vinifications with Assyrtiko must. Finally, they discussed future plans that can be carried out following this extensive and important research.
At the end of the event, there was a tasting of the distinctive wine produced as part of the Pavlidis_Terroir project, which made a very positive impression on attendees.
The event was organized by #enaevents, the new service of ena Development Consultants that designs and delivers corporate, educational, conference and informational events, in person, hybrid and remote, in the physical and digital world.
The #enaevents team would like to warmly thank everyone who helped organize the event, the attendees who honored it with their presence, and finally all the distinguished speakers for their excellent presentations.
