Vogue Magazine recently named Georgia—the country, not the state—one of the hottest destinations to visit in 2017. Situated between the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains, Georgia is an ancient country with hip new appeal. Formerly part of Soviet Russia, it became an independent state in 1991. Today, it’s bursting with bistros and cafes, art galleries and boutique hotels, and a stylish new spirit amidst its historic landmarks. Winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, plus summer ones like hiking, climbing, and watersports make it a desirable year-round playground.
While Georgia may be a new destination for fashionistas, wine industry cognoscenti have been making pilgrimages to this country for the wines. With a history of winemaking dating back 8000 years, Georgia is often referred to as the “cradle of wine.” In fact, Georgia has been named a UNESCO World Heritage landmark for its winemaking history, a major achievement in the world of wine!
Georgia is home to ten different winemaking regions and more than 525 different grape varietals ranging from light and zesty, to bold and grippy. Where many wineries around the world use high-tech state of the art fermentation tanks, many Georgia wines are fermented in traditional qvevri (pronounced kweh-vree), large conical clay vessels which are lined with beeswax and stored underground. Wild yeasts from the grapes enhance the fermentation process; not much else is added. These are wines that ‘go natural.’ Many of the wines are unfiltered, and the shape of the qvevri provides natural filtration by collecting sediment at the base. A striking note is the amber color some of the wines impart, often referred to as “orange wine.” On many fashionable wine lists, “orange” is the new “white.”
Many of the indigenous grapes may be hard to pronounce for English-speakers, but the wines are easy to drink, albeit some may require getting used to. They have an earthiness to them that grows on you with each sip. I liken the wines to being “hippy sippy” chic versus oh-so-slick and polished.
Image: Taste Georgia/Facebook
Discovering the grapes and tasting the wines is a bit of an adventure on the palate. Some local grape varietals – among the many to note:
Whites: Rkatsiteli, whose name means “red stem” is the most widely planted white grape varietal in Georgia. Chinuri, whose name is derived from the Georgian word “chinebuli” or “excellent” imparts aromatic herbal flavors when vinified. Krakhuna, meaning “crispy,” is a thin-skinned grape with aromas of apricot and honey. Mtsvane Kakhuri, aka “green Kakheti,” is one of six different Mtsvane varieties grown throughout Georgia which produces aromatic, herbal-stone fruit inflected whites
Reds: Saperavi, translated “to dye or color,” is Georgia’s most widely planted red grape varietal that produces full-bodied wines rich in black fruit and velvety tannins. Otskhanuri Sapere, or “colorful,” is named after its local village, and has intense cherry and plum notes. Ojaleshi, “growing on a tree,” is one of Georgia’s oldest varietals with firm flesh and peppery spicy notes. Tavkveri is a flat top red grape whose name translates to “hammerhead” with bright cherry flavors,
It’s fairly common for Georgian families to make their own wine in small garagiste-style vineyards, most often for consuming at supras, festive all day/night gatherings where copious amounts of food and wine are consumed. If you ever visit Georgia, wrangling a visit to a supra is an experience not to be missed.
Image: Taste Georgia/Facebook
If you have the chance to taste Georgian wines in the USA (ask your local retailer), you’ll find many affordably priced between $16 and $30, some even less. Ones to look out for are Orgo’s Saperavi and Rkatsiteli (Georgian Wine House); Pheasant’s Tears’ Rkatsiteli and their Saperavi (Terrell Wines); Teliani Valley’s Tsinandali (Georgian Wine House); and Shumi’s Saperavi and Tsinandali (Blue Danube Wine). Speaking of affordability: If you have the opportunity to travel to Georgia, you’re in luck even more: Forbes named Georgia one of the cheapest destinations to visit in 2017.
For more information on Georgian wines, visit the Georgian Wine Agency or pick up a copy of For the Love of Wine: My Odyssey Through the World’s Most Ancient Wine Culture by Alice Feiring.
Melanie Young co-hosts the national weekly radio show, The Connected Table LIVE! Wednesdays 2 pm EST on W4CY Radio and podcast permanently to iHeart.com and the free iHeart App.
