Hosting representatives of the “Ukshin Hoti” University of Prizren from Sunday March 20 to Saturday March 26, 2022 for the “University training vine & wine France-Kosovo” project

Hosting representatives of the “Ukshin Hoti” University of Prizren from Sunday March 20 to Saturday March 26, 2022 for the “University training vine & wine France-Kosovo” project

Context: This Franco-Kosovar cooperation project focuses on the exchange of training experience between all the partners involved in the project, with a view to identifying local needs in terms of training, internships and exchange programs (Erasmus).

Within this project on higher education in the vine and wine industry, there is a project leader: Bordeaux Sciences Agro, a French stakeholder, and a co-leader, the “Ukshin Hoti” University of Life and Environmental Sciences in Prizren, a Kosovar stakeholder. INTERCO Nouvelle-Aquitaine plays a coordinating role, bridging the gap with numerous partners: ISVV, INRAE, VINITECH-SIFEL, Lycée agro-agricole de Blanquefort.

French wine experts Jean-Philippe Roby (Professor at Bordeaux Sciences Agro and international expert for the French Ministry of Agriculture) and Stéphane Badet (Professor of Economics at the Lycée Technique Vitivinicole and Bordeaux Sciences Agro), together with Christine Pecastaingts (Director of Interco), welcomed and accompanied the Kosovar delegation throughout the week, two experts from the Universiteti “Ukshin Hoti” Prizren, who enjoyed a rich and intense program of technical visits, conferences and wine tastings.

The program in detail:

March 20: Arrival in Bordeaux in the evening.

March 21: Participants discussed the academic programs of Bordeaux Sciences Agro and Universiteti “Ukshin Hoti” Prizren with Mr. Roby. Interco accompanied them on a visit to Château Couhins and Château Luchey-Halde to find out all about their terroir, the varying composition of its soil, and the quality of their wines. They also met with Mme Maffrand, in charge of international partnerships at the Cité du Vin, to discuss future collaborations.

March 22: Participants attended a seminar on wine exports at Bordeaux Sciences Agro. They also visited Château Beychevelle with Mr. Roby, with its 250 ha, of which around 90 are planted with vines.

March 23: Participants took part in an export seminar at Bordeaux Sciences Agro. They took the opportunity to visit the Cité du Vin with Mr. Badet.

March 24: The Kosovar delegation visited the Institut des Sciences de la Vigne et du Vin (ISVV) and had lunch with Mr. Roby and Mr. Fontenelle (BSA’s international relations delegate) who promotes international cooperation as well as incoming and outgoing mobility for students and teachers with Mr. Roby. They then met Mr. Badet for a tour of the Blanquefort agro-agricultural high school and a presentation of the Vinopole. The day ended with a tasting of Kosovar wines with the students.

March 25: Participants visited the Cave de Rauzan with Mr. Roby, Mr. Badet and Ms. Pecastaingts. They then visited Saint Émilion and Château La Conseillante, an 800-hectare appellation built around a precious central clay core, Pétrus. The mission ended with a closing dinner and preparation for the next stages. The following day they flew back to Pristina.