According to television news, from July 11, it returned to Russian shelves after a 7-year break. Georgian wine.
The Georgian SSR is one of the main and oldest wine-growing regions of the USSR. The variety of climatic conditions allows the production of high-quality table and fortified wines in Georgia. Production grape wines The enterprises of Samtrest, which had exemplary state farms, were engaged in: Tsinandali, Napareuli, Mukuzani, Kvareli in Kakheti and Vartsikhe in the western part of Georgia. These state farms, as well as in Tbilisi, had well-equipped factories. The champagne wine factory produced Soviet champagne and grape wines. In the sixties, 26 brands of wine were produced in Georgia: 12 dry table wines, 7 semi-sweet wines, 5 strong wines, 2 sweet dessert wines.
The best table wines of Kakheti: white - Tsinandali No. 1, Gurjaani No. 3 - were produced from Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane grape varieties; red - Mukuzani No. 4 from Saperavi grapes and Teliani No. 2 from Cabernet grapes. White Georgian wines had a golden color, a delicate fruity bouquet and a fresh, harmonious taste. The Kakheti region was also famous for white and red wines prepared locally: Tibaani No. 12 from the Rkatsiteli grape variety and Saperavi (red) from the variety of the same name. These wines were characterized by fullness of taste and astringency resulting from fermentation on pulp.
Semi-sweet table wines were produced in Georgia. These wines are not stable and fermented when the temperature increased, losing their qualities. They should be stored at a temperature from 0 to 2°. The semi-sweet table wines included: Chkhaveri No. 11 from the grape variety of the same name, Kindzmarauli No. 22 from the Saperavi grape variety, Ojaleshi No. 24, Usakhelauri No. 21 from the grape variety of the same name, Khvanchkara No. 20 from the Alexandrouli and Mujuretuli grape varieties, Tvishi No. 19 from Tsolikauri grape variety. All these wines contained 10-14% alcohol by volume and 3-5 g/100 ml sugar.
The Kakheti region also produced high-quality fortified spirits and liqueur wines. Fortified strong wines such as port Kardanakhi No. 14, Khirsa No. 15 have a characteristic honey tone in taste; Anaga type Madeira contained 19% alcohol by volume and 4 g/100 ml sugar. The liqueur wines included Salkhino No. 17, made from Isabella grapes, containing 15% alcohol by volume and 30 g/100 ml sugar. In addition to vintage aged wines, various regions of Georgia produced ordinary wines in the following assortment: table white No. 6, red port No. 13, table red No. 10, port No. 18, Kakheti No. 8, Bouquet of Abkhazia No. 25. Among these wines, Bouquet was especially famous Abkhazia No. 25, prepared from Isabella grapes. At the International Wine Exhibition in Yugoslavia in 1955, the wines Tsinandali No. 1, Teliani No. 2, Chkhaveri No. 11 semi-sweet, Tvishi, Kindzmarauli, Khvanchkara, Chkhaveri No. 11 sparkling received silver medals; wines Gurjaani No. 3 and Mukuzani No. 7 are bronze. 
"KHVANCHKARA"
Table semi-sweet red ordinary wine. Made from Alexandrouli and Mujuretuli grape varieties. It has a dark ruby color. Alcohol content 10.5-12%, sugar content 3-5%, titratable acidity 6-7 g/l. Produced since 1932. Awarded 2 gold and 3 silver medals. 
"KINDZMARAULI"
Table semi-sweet red ordinary wine. Made from Saperavi grapes. It has a dark garnet color and a fruity bouquet. Alcohol content 10.5-12%, sugar content 3-5%, titratable acidity 5-7 g/l. Produced since 1942. Awarded 3 gold, 4 silver and bronze medals. 
"AKHASHENI"
Table semi-sweet red ordinary wine. Made from Saperavi grapes, which are grown in the Gurjaan region. It has a dark garnet color and varietal aroma. Alcohol content 10.5-12%, sugar content 3-5%, titratable acidity 5-7 g/l. Produced since 1958. Awarded 6 gold and 5 silver medals. 
"SAPERAVI"
Table dry red ordinary wine. Made from Saperavi grapes, which are grown in Kakheti. It has a garnet color. Alcohol content 10.5-12.5%, titratable acidity 5-7 g/l. Produced since 1937. Awarded gold and silver medals 
"MUKUZANI"
Table dry red vintage wine. Made from Saperavi grapes, which are grown in Kakheti. It has a dark garnet color and a pronounced varietal bouquet. Alcohol content 10.5-12.5%, titratable acidity 6.7-7.5 g/l, extractive substances at least 2.2%. Wine 3 years old. Produced since 1893. Awarded 8 gold, 4 silver and bronze medals. 
"ALAZNIS VELI (ALAZAN VALLEY) RED"
Table semi-sweet ordinary wine. Made from grape varieties Saperavi, Aleksandrouli, Mujuretuli, Ojaleshi, etc. It has a color from light to dark red, a clean bouquet without extraneous tones. Alcohol content 10-12%, sugar content 3-5%, titratable acidity 5-8 g/l. The wine has been produced since 1977. 
"TWISHI"
Table semi-sweet white ordinary wine. Made from Tsolikauri grapes, which are grown in Georgia. Has a straw color. Alcohol content 10-12%, sugar content 3-5%, titratable acidity 5.5-7.5 g/l. Produced since 1952. Awarded gold and 2 silver medals. 
"CHKHAVERI"
Table semi-sweet white ordinary wine. Made from Chkhaveri grape variety, which is grown in Abkhazia and other regions of Georgia. It has a light straw color with a pink tint, a varietal bouquet. Alcohol content 9.5-11%, sugar content 3.5%, titratable acidity 6-7.5 g/l. Produced since 1943. Awarded gold, 4 silver and bronze medals. 
"TETRA"
Table semi-sweet white ordinary wine. Made from Tetra grapes, which are grown in Georgia. Has a straw color. Alcohol content 9.5-11%, sugar content 3-5%, titratable acidity 5-7 g/l. Awarded 2 silver medals. 
"NAPAREULI WHITE"
Dry vintage table wine. Made from Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane grape varieties grown in the Napareul microdistrict of Georgia. It has a light straw color and varietal aroma. Alcohol content 10-12%, titratable acidity 6-7.5 g/l. Wine 3 years old. Produced since 1983. Awarded gold, 6 silver and bronze medals 
"TSINANDALI"
Table dry white vintage wine. Made from Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane grape varieties. It has a light straw color. Alcohol content 10.5-12%, titratable acidity 6-7.5 g/l. Wine 3 years old. Awarded 10 gold and 9 silver medals. 
"VAZISUBANI"
Table dry white vintage wine. Made from Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane Kakheti grape varieties, which are grown in Kakheti. It has a light straw color. Alcohol content 10.5-12.5%, titratable acidity 5.5-7 g/l. The wine is aged for 1.5 years. Produced since 1978. 
"GURJAANI"
Table dry white vintage wine. Made from Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane Kakheti grape varieties. It has a light straw color. Alcohol content 10.5-12.5%, titratable acidity 5.5-7.5 g/l. Wine 3 years old. Produced since 1943. Awarded gold, 9 silver and bronze medals.
If you are sure that traditional Georgian wine is red semi-sweet, then you know nothing about Georgian wine! The fact is that after Russia imposed an embargo in 2006, fundamental changes occurred in the winemaking of this ancient country, which allowed Georgians to literally break into the elite of world winemaking. High-quality Georgian wines are now successful in European and American markets, and only a small part of them reaches Russian wine lovers.
White starts and wins
It turns out that 90% of wines in Georgia are white. More than 500 autochthonous varieties grow in this small area, the wines of which have no analogues in the world. This is a plus that allows Georgian wine to stand out.
70% of all vineyards are located in the east of the country, in Kakheti. This is where the legendary microzones (or appellations) Kindzmarauli, Tsinandali, Mukuzani, Manavi, Napareuli and Akhasheni are located.
Who is who
White variety number one - Rkatsiteli, with high acidity and apple-citrus aromas. It is cultivated in almost all zones, and brandy is also produced from it. You can try basic dry rkatsiteli from Badagoni or Talisman. If you want Rkatsiteli from the microzone (appellation), then look for the inscription Tibaani or Napareuli on the label.
Grade number two - Kakhuri Mtsvane with its bright pear-floral palette and wonderful minerality. Single-varietal kakhuri mtsvane is extremely difficult to find, except from the Tamada brand. From the combination of these two varieties, Rkatsiteli no less than 85% and Kakhuri Mtsvane no more than 15%, wonderful wines are born: Tsinandali, Vazisubani and Gurjaani. And only in Manavi wines the varietal composition is reproduced exactly the opposite!
Kakheti winemakers are now relying on two low-yielding varieties, hikhvi And kitty with a bright personality, but wines from them are difficult to find; if you see them on the shelf, take them without hesitation. Fans of the exquisite combination of aromas of white flowers and peaches should pay attention to the Goruli Mtsvane variety from Kartli. Try Chateau Mukhrani for a beautifully made elegant wine made from it.
If, nevertheless, you are attracted to semi-sweet white drinks, then such ordinary wines are produced under the brands “Alazani Valley” and “Pirosmani”. The varietal composition there, as a rule, is not monitored. But it’s worth trying the naturally sweet wine from the Tvishi appellation, made from grapes tsolikauri.
Born in the earth
Georgian winemaking has its own tradition - aging in qvevri, huge clay vats buried in the ground. White grapes it is lowered into them with skins, seeds, and sometimes ridges, with which it is not only fermented, but also aged for several months. The result is an “orange” wine - tannic, oily, thick, with pronounced sherry tones of dried apricots and honey. Georgians drink it throughout the meal, serving it with spicy salads, and for khinkali, and for shish kebab. You can have different attitudes towards such wines, but you should definitely try them once!
We have collected the main varieties of Georgian wines - someone will remember a once-loved, but almost forgotten taste, and someone will have the opportunity to discover it for themselves for the first time.
1. “Kindzmarauli” - high-quality red semi-sweet wine with intense overripe cherry color, varietal bouquet, delicate, harmonious, velvety taste. One of the most famous wines of Kakheti. Produced since 1942. Experts note that kindzmarauli goes best with grilled meat. In addition, the wine goes perfectly with desserts and fruits. 
2. “Tsinandali” - a special white wine, the pride of Georgian winemakers, light straw color, with a wonderful fruit bouquet, soft delicate taste. Produced since 1886 at the oldest winery in the country. 
3. “Khvanchkara” - the pearl of natural semi-sweet wines, the pride of Georgian winemakers, a repeated winner at international wine tasting competitions, with an elegant dark ruby color, a highly developed bouquet and aroma, a harmonious velvety taste with raspberry tones. Favorite wine Comrade Stalin. 
4. “Saperavi” is not only a red wine, but also a variety wine grapes. The wine has an intense, thick dark garnet color, a unique harmonious taste, pleasant astringency, and a developed bouquet. Produced since 1886. Saperavi is recommended for fatty dishes of Georgian cuisine. 
5. “Tbilisuri” - white floor dry wine. Light straw color, harmonious combination The natural sweetness, acidity and aroma of grapes give the wine a freshness and softness of taste. It is recommended to combine wine with Suluguni cheese, fish and fruit. 
6. “Akhasheni” is an excellent red semi-sweet wine with a strong pleasant bouquet, bright dark garnet color and a rare harmony of taste properties with chocolate tones. Produced since 1958. 
7. “Hereti” - natural dry white wine, light straw color, aroma with fruity tones, fresh and harmonious taste. Produced since 1977. It is an excellent aperitif and also served with seafood and vegetable salads. 
8. “Mukuzani” is one of the best dry red wines, dark garnet color, with a pronounced fruity aroma and complex bouquet, has a soft velvety taste and a harmonious, wonderful aftertaste. Produced since 1888. Mukuzani is considered the best Georgian wine made from Saperavi grapes. It differs in that it is aged for a long time in oak barrels- at least three years. Pairs best with meat. 
9. “Kakheti” is a natural dry white wine produced in Georgia since 1948. The wine has a golden-amber color, high extractivity and a specific fruity aroma. When a person hears about Georgian wines, the names of these drinks are immediately associated with the specific taste and aroma bouquets, as well as with the special region of winemaking. Georgia is a country of grapes, snow-capped mountains, beautiful songs, ancient and colorful winemaking traditions.
History of Georgian winemaking
The history of winemaking in Georgia begins in the 10th century BC. e. This fact was proven by archaeologists who discovered fragments of the famous ceramic vessels, called qvevri.
The development of winemaking was also facilitated by the adoption of Christianity by Georgians. Since that time, wines, especially red ones, began to be used for ritual and medicinal purposes.
Winemaking in the southern country reached its peak of development in the 19th century. The Appanage Department, which was owned by the Russian Tsar, played a big role in this. He owned the vineyards that gave rise to the most famous brands Georgian wines.
The best local, Russian and French specialists participated in the development of Georgian winemaking.
In the 70s of the 19th century, two events took place in Georgia: a school for training professional winemakers was opened and the production of Georgian champagne began.
Winemaking in Georgia received further development under Soviet rule. Then 4 centers for the production of branded wines were formed. In addition to Georgia, these included Moldova, Armenia and Crimea. At this time, the Georgian center became popular outside not only Georgia, but also the Soviet Union.
Nowadays, the best Georgian wines are recognized as European-level brands, which allows them to be supplied to many countries around the world.
The best varieties of Georgian wines
These wines are made without added sugar. For this reason, they have a sour taste and are divided into:
- to varietal ones, i.e. produced from berries of the same variety;
- to vintage ones (they are also made from the same variety, but using strictly controlled technologies);
- for collection (they undergo many years of aging in qvevri).
The best varieties include Georgian wine Kindzmarauli, which is the most famous wine product in the world. Kindzmarauli is produced using Imeretian technology from the Saperavi variety, which is cultivated in the Kakheti village of Kvareli. How best brand winemaking in Georgia, Kindzmarauli is now made in several regions of the country at once.
In addition, the Georgian list best wines headed by:
- Tsinandali - white dry with a golden hue, aged two years with floral and honey aroma. Produced from Rkatsiteli and Mtsvanetsveta grapes.
- Kvareli - refers to red wines, the basis of production is the Saperavi variety. Possesses delicate taste, delicate aroma, rich color.
- Ojaleshi is a rare brand with a ruby color, produced in western Georgia since 1933 from the grapes of the same name.
- Barakoni - red semi-dry wine pomegranate color shades and mountain violet aroma, based on Georgian Alexandrouli and Mudzheretuli grapes.
- Rkatsiteli is a dry white wine of dark amber color with the taste of fruit and the smell of tea rose.
- Teliani is a vintage table red wine with cherry and barberry flavors, produced from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.
These drinks represent the Georgian brand at the international level, competing with the best wine brands in Europe.
Red wines of Georgia
Wine products that are made from predominantly dark varieties with the inclusion of berry skins in the fermentation process are called red. In this case, technology must be followed to ensure the transfer of antacids from grape skins to the must. These drinks contain a large number of tannins, which creates spicy aromas.
Georgian wines do not have a high sugar content, so dry red wine predominates among them, containing no more than 4 g/l of sugar. When using some grape varieties, semi-dry wine (4-12 g/l) and even semi-sweet (12-45 g/l) is produced.
Red dry
Red Georgian wine with minimum quantity sugar is represented by the following brands:
Red semi-sweet
White wines of Georgia
Wines, called conventionally white, are made from different varieties grapes in compliance with fragmentation technology. The light shades of the drink are due to the absence of grape skins. Inside, all the berries have different shades, but they are never rich red.
White Georgian wines are produced using different technologies and with different sugar content. Georgian semi-sweet wine is often in demand on the market because it has a delicate bouquet and goes well with fruit and sweets. Dry white wines are most often in demand when consuming fatty meat and fish foods with spices. The laconic bouquet of such drinks helps enhance the perception hearty dishes.
White semi-sweet
White Georgian wine with increased content sugar is represented by the following brands:
White dry Georgian wines
Dry Georgian wine is popular all over the world. The famous Tsinandali, sung in songs, belongs to this category. The following brands are considered the best representatives of this group:
How to spot a fake
Counterfeits are always sold at reduced prices. The buyer, overwhelmed by the prices, does not have time to think about what is contained in the bottle. If the wines are not natural, then they consist of diluted alcohol, dyes and flavors. In this composition, the presence of alcohol is strongly felt, and instead of a natural aroma, a person feels the taste of chemicals.
- In order not to be mistaken, buy natural drinks in branded stores. You should always read labels carefully. Georgian wines must be produced in Georgia and nowhere else.
- Good wines are always bottled with a concave bottom. Such containers are sealed with a porous stopper, opened with a corkscrew.
- Even long-aged natural alcohol may contain sediment. These are leftovers organic matter, which with the help of bacteria were converted into alcohol. Powdered drinks never contain sediment.
Georgian wines are distinguished by a wide variety of brands, tastes, and aromas. Unforgettable shades depend not only on the grape variety, but also on the place where it is grown, as well as on the technology used and even on the vessels in which the drinks are matured.
Georgian dry red wine is the most popular drink. Georgia has always been considered the ancestor of the grapevine. Winemaking specialists put their souls into the production of the drink. In Georgia the best varieties grapes, pleasant atmosphere and favorable climate. This is a country of real wine made using ancient technologies.
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Among the varieties of dry red wine there are several best drinks. These include:
- Saperavi;
- Khvanchkara;
- Mukuzani;
- Kindzmarauli;
- Akhmeta.
Saperavi is a dry red wine with a pleasant dark garnet hue. This sweet nectar is the most famous. Made from . Translated from Greek, this word means “blood of the earth.” For centuries there have been real legends surrounding this nectar. According to them, the berries that make up red wine contain the real blood of the Guardian of the Mountains. The nectar is distinguished by light shades of mulberry, followed by blueberries and raspberries. This red wine is recommended to be consumed with meat dishes.
Dry red wine “Saperavi”
- Khvanchkara is grape nectar, distinguished by the specific taste of raspberries. Red wine goes well with desserts and is considered semi-sweet.
- Mukuzani - great option for connoisseurs of fruity notes. The taste is pleasant and soft. Red wine is made from the Saperavi grape variety. Aged for three years in oak barrels. Goes well with vegetables cheese products and meat dishes.
- Kindzmarauli is a red semi-sweet wine, considered the most famous Georgian drink. Distinctive feature is a delicate and harmonious taste. It is recommended to combine with light fruits and desserts.
- Akhmeta is another one a good option drink It has a pleasant floral aroma and a pale tint.
When choosing the optimal drink, you should not give preference to options in earthenware. Red wine reaches its maximum aging in oak barrels. This is due technological features processing.
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There are a lot of different wines on the world market. For an ignorant person, choosing a worthwhile option is quite difficult. The variety of manufacturers and brand varieties really complicates the situation. Experts recommend buying real grape drinks in specialized stores. A wide selection of supermarkets allows you to choose red Georgian wine, but you can easily get confused in all the variety.
A wine consultant will come to the rescue in a specialized store. Having found out the buyer’s preferences, he will offer suitable options for a grape drink.
Grape drinks from Georgia
The people of Georgia prefer not red, but white wine. This is due to the taste characteristics and the amount of alcohol contained in the drink.
The white drink is much easier to drink and is suitable for light evenings with pleasant conversations.
Red nectar - perfect option for noisy parties. He's different high level alcohol content, which causes intoxication to occur much faster.
When purchasing real Georgian nectar, you need to pay attention to the brand. The best producers of grape drinks are Mukhrani and Marani. This wine is produced in compliance with all requirements, making it the most delicious and enjoyable.
