Gwangyang Plum Transformed Into Wine… Setting Sights on Global Market

[Anchor]

Sparkling wine made from Gwangyang plums has embarked on its export journey overseas. Expectations are rising that this will go beyond simply expanding distribution channels to increase the added value of local agricultural products.

This is Kim Yeon-jun from KBC.

[Reporter]

Bubbles rise from the wine poured into the glass, accompanied by a sweet aroma.

It is the world's first plum sparkling wine made by fermenting Gwangyang's specialty products, plums and wild pears.

It was developed by a brewery in Gwangyang in collaboration with Gwangyang City and Suncheon National University.

It has received favorable reviews from domestic consumers as it offers a richer aroma and refreshing taste compared to infused liquors.

[Oh Gyu-shik / Vice President, Spring of Seomjin River: We blend plums, wild pears, and citrons in a golden ratio, ferment them, and make wine. That wine is made using the Charmat method in a pressure-resistant tank to retain carbonation.]

Overseas distribution channels are also opening up.

Recently, 700 bottles were exported to stores in Germany and Hong Kong.

Next month, another 720 bottles are scheduled to be exported to the United States, alongside attendance at an international wine fair.

In particular, Gwangyang City expects to capture the tastes of Japanese tourists following the opening of the Korea-Japan car-ferry route.

[Park Sung-hyun / Mayor of Gwangyang: Once we pioneer export distribution channels, we gain the know-how to make it possible for other countries as well. With the Korea-Japan car-ferry operating, Japanese people love plum blossoms. They love plums, too.]

Driven by the expansion of distribution channels, production of the sparkling wine is scheduled to increase more than threefold next year compared to this year.

Attention is focused on whether this export can serve as an opportunity to turn Gwangyang's agricultural products into globally competitive processed foods.

(Video Reporter: Kim Hyung-soo, KBC) KBC, Kim Yeon-jun
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.