Georgia - the birthplace of wine
We Georgians are proud to live in the place where wine was born - indeed we feel this is only natural. Archaeological research provides evidence of viniculture as far back as 7000 years in the Caucasus region. Many say that the generic word ‘wine’ stems from the Georgian word ‘gvino.’ Certainly Georgia has many more original varieties of grape than any other country - over 500. Our warm climate and moist air, touched by the Black Sea, provide perfect conditions for the cultivation of wine. With so many centuries of practice it is no surprise that our wines are superb. Saperavi, Tsinandali, Mukuzani, Teliani, Napereuli, are names now extending beyond the former Soviet empire, into the super-markets of Western Europe and America.
Among red wines the barrique method of barrel fermentation and storage is now virtually standard practice. However the old Caucasian method of wine production is still widely practiced in the east, particularly Kakheti in which grapes are placed in large, earthenware vessels called Qvevri, buried in the ground, sealed and left for several months to reach a natural and delicious maturity.
***The Wine Tour
***Discover the time-honoured pleasures of wine tasting close to where the grapes are harvested. Our Kakhetian region is famous for its many superb wines, and its capital, Telavi, its numerous wine cellars. Drink your fill and then eat. Georgia’s fine wines are both a thing in themselves and an exellent aperitif to the unique, delicious and mostly organic Georgian cuisine.
Visit virtually any home in the wine-growing region of **Kakheti *and be greeted by a glass (or two) of delicious home-produced wine – following a tradition dating back thousands of years. Today’s wine is produced in exactly the same way. Grapes are placed in large earthenware vessels called ‘quevri,’ buried in the ground up to their necks. These special wine vaults are called ‘marani,’ and the ‘quevri’ are then sealed and left for three or four months. The result is a tannin and vitamin-rich wine, more often than not organic – and delicious.
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Did you know that viniculture as far as back as 7000 years in Caucasus Region?
Did you know that word ‘wine’ stems from the Georgian word ‘gvino’?
Did you know that in Kakheti, Georgia has more original varieties of Grape than other country – over 500?
**Did you know that in Kakheti, the heart of the wine country, some wines many centuries old, can still be found with trunks over a metre in circumstance?
***For more information, Georgian Tourist Board : www.georgia.travel