|
News, Articles and Releases
Asconi Receives Organic Wine Certification
 TUESDAY,
FEBRUARY 24, 2004 6:00 AM
ORLANDO, Florida, February 24, 2004 - /PRNewswire-FirstCall/
-- Asconi Corporation (Amex: ACD), one of the largest Eastern European
producers of wines and spirits, today announced that it has been
certified to produce organic wines.
The Organic Production Certification was issued by the Swiss Societe
Generale de Surveillance (SGS) and covers approximately 2,400 acres
of producing vineyards. Grapes grown on the certified area include
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Aligote, Pinot Franc, Merlot, Muscat
and a number of local varieties. The 2003 vintage collected and
processed by Asconi has been certified "in conversion to organic"
as being compliant with SGS Organic Production Standards for Orchard
and Viticulture Production and Food Packing and Processing.
The SGS Organic Production Standard is a worldwide program for
organic production and processing. Organic agricultural and horticultural
systems promote the sustainable production of food of optimum quality
and quantity. The program has been developed with reference to IFOAM,
European Community Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91, United States Department
of Agriculture (USDA) rulings and has been accredited by governmental
authorities in a number of countries, including the USDA, to carry
out certifications against the SGS Organic Production Standard.
"The organic wine market has seen rapid growth in recent years,
primarily due to increasing consumer awareness and trends towards
healthier food and beverage consumption," commented Constantin
Jitaru, President and CEO of Asconi Corporation. "The certification
enables us to expand our product range into this attractive market
where wines are priced, on the average, 30% higher than conventional
wines. We are pleased to be among the first wine producers of wines
from organically grown grapes in the region."
"Our future plans include certification of additional vineyards,"
continued Mr. Jitaru. "In particular, we plan to certify the
800 acres of the Company-owned vineyards to be planted this Spring.
Our overall strategy in this regard is to promote the healthy consumption
as well as environmentally and socially responsible grape-growing
and winemaking."
About Asconi Corporation
Asconi Corporation (AMEX: ACD) is one of the largest producers
and distributors of wines and spirits in Eastern Europe. Asconi
currently markets its products in seventeen countries worldwide
and offers an extensive portfolio of over 350 items in fifty product
lines. The Company is involved in every aspect of wine and spirits
production and distribution, from grape processing to sales of alcoholic
beverages.
For more information, please visit www.asconi.com.
Contact: Mr. Serguei Melnik, Asconi Corporation Chief Operations
Officer
Phone: 407 679-9463
Email: info@asconi.com
Safe Harbor Statement
Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The
statements in the press release that relate to the company's expectations
with regard to the future impact on the company's results from new
products in development are forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
The results anticipated by any or all of these forward-looking statements
may not occur.
|
