During archaeological excavations on the territory of Georgia, scientists discovered objects that testify to the fact that winemaking already existed here during the Bronze Age. This gave the right to believe that the country is the birthplace of cultural viticulture, and therefore the wines of Georgia are the hallmark of the state, which has been breeding its own varieties of vines for centuries. Wine production technologies, invented by Georgians, today are a rich educational material for every novice winemaker.
National treasure
For the inhabitants of Georgia, wine is a national treasure and a great pride, a tradition proven over the centuries, and leisure worthy of the best. According to an ancient legend, the baptist of Georgia, Saint Nino, came to these lands with a cross made of a vine.
More than five hundred varieties of grapes are grown on the land of Georgia, each of which, in one way or another, participates in the production of wine. One of the famous local varieties, Saperavi, has a beetroot-red berry juice and is used to make red wines.
Regions of Georgian winemaking
The main volume of wines exported from Georgia is produced in the Kakheti region. It is located in the east of the country and it is here that the famous "Kindzmarauli", "Mukuzani" and "Tsinandali" are produced. Dry white wine "Kakheti" has a specific fruit aroma and is famous for its special amber color. It is made from the Rkatsiteli variety, blended with Kakheti Mtsvane.
Alazani Valley wine is no less pride for Georgians. White, semi-sweet, it has a mild and harmonious taste. Three-year aging in an oak barrel infuses dry white "Tsinandali" to a fragrant bouquet that has been known to connoisseurs of Georgian wines since 1886. Wine tours to Georgia are gaining popularity today, giving all travelers the opportunity to get acquainted with the winemaking of the brotherly country.
Besides Kakheti, wine production in Georgia is of great importance in the regions of Kartli, Imereti and Lechkhumi:
- In the Kartli region, there are preserved stone grape presses in the cave city of Vardzia. They date back to the 12th century, and it is in the Kartli region that the enoteca of the Tbilisi winery is located. Its main relic is bicentennial wines.
- A feature of the production of Georgian wines in the Imereti region is the use of containers in the form of clay jugs for fermentation of wort, as it was centuries ago. This technology allows you to create a delicate and aromatic bouquet in each type of wine.
