Aizawl | February 4 : A recent research on the alcohol content of grape wine product from Mizoram revealed that the alcohol content is comparatively high with that of other product across the country. Apart from alcohol, the content of tartric acid, citric acid and acetic acid were also found out to be higher in the local harvest grape wine. The alcohol content in the grape wine is 9% which is very high, said the researchers today in Aizawl.
The research was carried out by H Lalhlenmawia, scientist and Sr. Lecturer, Department of Pharmacy, Regional Institute of Paramedical and Nursing Sciences (RIPANS), Aizawl with the assistance of Samson Lalfakmawia and Sarah Laldintluangi. Both of them are researchers from Food and Drugs Control Administration, Health and Family Welfare departmentt, government of Mizoram. It has also found out that the other contents like citric acid, acetic acid and tartric acid in the Mizoram product wine is also much higher than the rest of the world.
On the other hand, sugar level of local wine is very low. The study also finds the negative side of container used for storing and preserving grape wine. It had been cautioned that using of coloured-syntax drum can caused health hazards as the chemical present in the plastic when contacted with wine may result in forming dangerous chemical for health.
According to local residents, the state produces the premium variety of Lubrusca grapes. Wine made from the fruit is said to be of high quality and commercially viable. Some 1,000 farmers in Mizoram grow an estimated 6,000 quintals of grapes annually in small to medium plantations spread over about 3,000 acres.
Hnahlan village, near the Indo-Myanmar border, noted for its extensive grape cultivation, is now striving to become the largest grape producing village in India. Around 80 per cent of the villagers are engaged in grape-cultivation, after foresaking the primitive shifting cultivation 10 years ago and are now reaping the 'fruits of their labour', sources said.
The enthusiasm of the grape farmers has been fuelled by the amendment of the Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition (MLTP) Act. The Act had earlier prevented them from large-scale commercialisation of their products and wine-making from grapes. The green foliages and fruits of the grape gardens would be ready for harvest by the later part of July, the sources added.

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