Georgia
Captioned as ‘The Cradle of Wine’, this country has both a fascinating history and expansive modern-day wine portfolio. With over 525 indigenous grape varieties it isn’t hard to find something for everyone. Georgia is currently known as the oldest continuous winemaking country in the world. Archaeologists have found reminiscence of Qvevri vessels dating back over 8000 years.
Winemaking in Georgia
While the best-known wines from Georgia are produced in Qvevri’s there are many wines made in the more modern style. ‘Modern’ refers to wine made in the more common tank-style without the use of skin contact or the clay Qvevri. Many wines are produced as single varietals showing the true expression of the grapes. Field blends made from a vast number of grape varieties are also produced in Georgia. With over 525 indigenous varieties and some international grapes to Georgia is home to some of the worlds largest field blend wines.
Qvevri winemaking
What is Qvevri?
The Qvevri is an egg-shaped clay vessel that is buried into the ground. Its position below the surface traditionally kept the wine cool which was critical before electricity
This style of winemaking produces ‘Amber’ or ‘Orange’ wine if white grapes are used or rich and highly tannic red wines. They are extremely interesting and complex wines due to the high amounts of skin contact and the vessel used. Depending on the style of wine the producer is intending to make either whole bunches, only grapes or grapes with a proportion of stems are placed inside the Qvevri. The wines have a regular bunch down preventing the skins from drying out. The wine then stays in contact with the skins for a while, for some producers this can be up to 9 months!
Wine Regions and PDO’s.
Kakheti
Vineyards in the Tsinandali PDO
Kakheti is by far the largest and most important wine region in Georgia. The area is located to the east of the capital Tbilisi. The region borders both Azerbaijan and Russia and the northern area benefits from the Caucasus Mountain range. Kakheti is also home to the largest number of PDO’s including the most famous PDO called Tsinandali. Tsinandali is a white winemaking area produced from Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane Kakhuri usually in a ratio of 85% to 15% however, the original Tsinandali Estate uses different percentages.
The most important red grape variety in Kakheti are Saperavi but Tsiteli Budeshuri, Ikaltos Tsiteli and Kharistvala are also popular. The white grape varieties most grown here are Rkatsiteli, Kajhuri Mtsvane, Kisi and Khikhvi. Mirzaanuli, Chitistvala, Vardisperi Rkatsiteli and Kakhuri Msvivani are also grown.
Imereti
Is located in western Georgia. The Rioni River runs through this diverse, high altitude area. The most famous white wine here is a blend of Tsitska and Tsolikouri. The white grape Krakhuna and red Otskhanuri Sapere are also popular. Sviri is regarded as the best PDO in the Imereti region specialising in the three white grapes mentioned above,
Kartli
Kartli is a large area in central and eastern Georgia. It surrounds the capital Tbilisi. More unusually for the country, it focuses on high-quality sparkling wines as well as fresher styles of red and white wine.
Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti.
This is a high altitude region ranging between 400 and 5000 metres above sea level on the Russian border. The winters here are harsh and cold but Summers drastically heat up producing extremely high-quality grapes and interesting, complex wines.
There are two PDO’s; the first, Tvishi is for semi-sweet white wine and Khvanchkara is a semi-sweet red made from Mujuretuli and Aleksandrouli.
Meskheti
This area is in the south of Georgia. The climate is continental with long cold winters and warm summers. The vines are located at high altitude between 900 and 1700 meters. This is also thought to be one of the oldest winemaking areas within Georgia.
Regions in the larger ‘Black Sea Coastal Zone’
Guria
This small area is located in the south-west of Georgia and borders the black sea. The red grape variety Chkhaveri is the most popular here.
Samegrelo
Samegrelo also borders the Black Sea.
Ajara
Located in the black sea coastal zone surrounding the large city of Batumi. The area is very hilly with the highest mountain reaching over 3000 meters. It can be humid here in the warmer months and the area has the highest level of rainfall for the country. Tsolikouri and Chkhaveri are the most popular varieties.
Apkhazeti
Another mountainous region bordering the Black Sea. It has a mixed reputation and often struggles with rotten grapes.
Georgian Grape varieties.
There are over 525 indigenous Georgian grape varieties so only the most common are mentioned below.
White varieties.
Rkatsiteli translates as ‘red stem’ and it is the most planted white grape in Georgia. It is thought to have originated in Western Georgia, most likely in the Kakheti region. It is used for both Qvevri wines and wines without skin contact. The grape is relatively neutral with flavours of apples, nectarines and floral white blossom notes. When placed in the Qvevri the flavours become more oxidative like quince, honey, dried apricots and beeswax
Mtsvane Kakhuri
Translates as green Kakheti and often just called Mtsvane (however, this can be confused with Goruli Mtsvane). There are multiple genetic Mtsvane variants and each is named after where in Georgia they are from. It has high levels of sugars and acidity and used for both white, amber and fortified wines. The wines have flavours of tropical fruit, apricots, nectarines and floral notes.
Mtsvane Goruli
Translates as green Gori. The majority of plantings are along the Mtkvari River in Georgia and the thick skins prevent the grapes from suffering rot. The wines have flavours of lime with crisp, floral notes.
Tsolikouri
This is the most popular white grape variety in Western Georgia. The grape has relatively thick skins helping it to have improved disease resistance in the humid climate. The wines are often made without skin contact with melon, floral and saline notes.
Khikhvi
A popular white variety that is grown in Eastern Georgia. It is used to produce all style of wine and typically has flavours of apples, lemons and white blossom.
Kisi
A high-quality indigenous Georgian grape from the Kakheti region. It almost became extinct during the Soviet Union rule as the preference at the time was Rkatsiteli due to the higher yields. It has flavours of quince, dried apple, almonds and honey.
Krakhuna
Krakhuna means ‘crispy’ and supposedly refers to the sound of the crunchy ‘crispy’ grapes. It has flavours of stone fruits and citrus.
Tsitska
This grape is grown in the region of Imereti. It has flavours of quince, apple, pear and nectarine.
Red varieties.
This is the most famous and highly regarded red grape in Georgia. Spaeravi produces BIG wines, high in tannin, acidity, alcohol and body. Some producers use oak to soften the tannins however this can often distract from the distinctive features of the grape. It is grown throughout Georgia with Kakheti being a key region. Qvevri use is common with between 1 and 4 months of skin contact.
Ojaleshi
A very old variety originating in Georgia. The vines have low yield and concentrated high-quality fruit.
Aleksandrouli.
Grown mainly on the western coast of Georgia. It is a high quality, complex variety with a deep red colour and crisp acidity.
Otskhanuri Sapere
A brilliant, high-quality red variety mainly grown in western Georgia. The wines are full-bodied with high tannin and high acidity.
Aladasturi
This used to be a very popular red grape variety in Georgia but was almost completely wiped out by the phylloxera epidemic. It produces wines that age well with smokey tobacco flavours.
