The Cradle of Wine: 8,000 Years of Continuous Winemaking Tradition
National Wine Agency system
Archaeological evidence
Wine in religious culture
Royal wine culture
Nobility estates
Quantity focus
Vine destruction
Revival begins
Export growth
Qvevri heritage status
Global recognition
Georgia's wine heartland - 70% of national production
Protected by the Caucasus Mountains, continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Home to most PDO zones and both traditional and modern wineries.
Kakheti contains most of Georgia's 18 PDO zones, each with specific terroir and wine styles.
Central Georgia - Traditional sparkling and modern innovation
Continental climate at higher elevation. Known for traditional method sparkling wines and indigenous varieties like Chinuri and Goruli Mtsvane.
Warmer climate, archaeological significance with ancient qvevri sites. Growing area for international varieties.
Western Georgia - Lighter style qvevri wines
Humid subtropical climate. Different qvevri tradition with shorter skin contact (2 months vs 6 in Kakheti). Focus on white varieties, especially Tsitska and Tsolikouri.
Small PDO for traditional method wines from local varieties.
Mountainous region producing Georgia's most prestigious semi-sweet wine, Khvanchkara. Cool climate, limestone soils, naturally semi-sweet wines.
Western region with unique Ojaleshi grape. Historic wine culture being revived.
Coastal Black Sea regions with unique local varieties.
Historic region being revived after Soviet-era abandonment.
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2013
Clay vessels buried underground for fermentation and aging. Natural temperature control, wild yeast fermentation, extended skin contact creating amber wines from white grapes.
Philosophy: Zero additives, wild fermentation
Recognition: International natural wine fame
Trend: Young winemakers returning to roots
Export: Growing international demand
525+ indigenous varieties - the world's richest ampelographic heritage
Georgia's most important red grape. Teinturier variety (red flesh and skin) producing deeply colored, tannic wines with excellent aging potential. Grown throughout Georgia.
Most planted white
Green from Kakheti
Premium indigenous
Character: Generally lighter, higher acidity
Method: Shorter skin contact tradition
Status: Protected, limited areas
Value: Premium prices, rare finds
Kartli's pride
Kartli green
Kartli red
სუფრა - The Supra table where 8,000 years of wine tradition meets legendary hospitality
Export leaders
Qvevri specialists
Quality focused
Significance: Traditionally male-dominated field
Recognition: International acclaim growing
Method: Traditional qvevri only
Purpose: Religious use and sales
| Georgian Term | English | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ღვინო (Ghvino) | Wine | General term for wine |
| ქვევრი (Qvevri) | Clay vessel | Traditional amphora |
| მარანი (Marani) | Wine cellar | Traditional cellar |
| რთველი (Rtveli) | Harvest | Vintage/harvest time |
| ჭაჭა (Chacha) | Grappa | Grape pomace brandy |
| ნახევრად ტკბილი | Semi-sweet | Medium sweet wine |
| მშრალი | Dry | Dry wine |
| წითელი | Red | Red wine |
| თეთრი | White | White wine |
| ქარვისფერი | Amber | Skin-contact white |
2019: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Exceptional vintage, perfect conditions
2020: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very good, balanced wines
2021: ⭐⭐⭐ Challenging, careful selection needed
2022: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good quality, classic style
2023: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Promising early reports
Rare qvevri wines and aged Saperavis with international recognition
| Category | USD | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | $6-10 | Basic Saperavi, Rkatsiteli |
| Premium | $10-20 | PDO wines, estate bottles |
| Qvevri Wines | $15-35 | Traditional method, amber wines |
| Natural/Rare | $25-50 | Small production, rare varieties |
| Icon Wines | $50+ | Limited editions, aged reserves |
| Style | Region | Specific Bottle | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Saperavi | Kakheti | Teliani Valley Saperavi | $8 |
| Premium Saperavi | Mukuzani | Shumi Mukuzani Reserve | $18 |
| Qvevri Amber | Kakheti | Pheasant's Tears Rkatsiteli | $20 |
| Natural White | Kartli | Iago's Chinuri | $18 |
| Semi-Sweet Red | Kakheti | Kindzmarauli PDO | $12 |
| Sparkling | Kartli | Bagrationi Gold | $10 |
| Rare Red | Racha | Royal Khvanchkara | $20 |
| Premium Qvevri | Kakheti | Our Wine Kisi | $25 |
| European Style | Kakheti | Tsinandali Estate White | $14 |
| Icon Wine | Kakheti | Château Mukhrani Reserve | $35 |
| Monastery Wine | Kakheti | Alaverdi Tradition | $22 |
| Women's Wine | Imereti | Baia's Tsitska-Tsolikouri | $16 |