The country of bewitching discoveries, glorious history and hospitable people is famous all over the world for its magnificent wine. More than 500 grape varieties are grown on the mountain slopes of Georgia, warmed by the gentle Caucasian sun, with the gentle and caring hands of hardworking people. Alcoholic drinks are made from this grape, and in our review the best Georgian wines, which have long gained popularity among true connoisseurs of noble drinks in different corners of the globe.
Gurjaani
Gurjaani wine is made from typical grape varieties according to old traditional Kakheti technologies. White wine is highly noted not only by lovers of noble alcoholic drinks, but also by professionals.
At international competitions and wine exhibitions, wine from Georgia won silver medals 9 times and received bronze once. It has a bright straw color with a golden overflow, and the heady aroma is full of fruity notes.
Gurjaani wine is perfect for fish, as well as chicken dishes. Refined taste will emphasize cheese or vegetable slicing.
Kindzmarauli
Semi-sweet red wine, produced since 1942, is aged in special conical clay jugs “qvevri”.
Vineyards of the Saperavi variety, from which this brand of wine is made, grow in the picturesque Alazani Valley, where the waters of the Duruji and Alazani rivers merge. It is produced in small batches and is a rarity.
In 2012, the brand was recognized as the property of Georgia, and the use of the name is prohibited in other regions. Kindzmarauli wine is served with meat, and true connoisseurs combine sips of the drink with dessert and juicy fruits of Georgia.
Tsinandali
One of the oldest wines, the production traditions of which are carefully guarded since 1886. Dry white wine for 3 years is aged in oak barrels, and only then a light golden drink is bottled.
It received its name from the ancient estate of the princes Chavchavadze, and in the Soviet period a winery farm worked here. Through time, the winemakers of Kakheti managed to preserve a unique recipe for excellent wine.
Tsinandali wine has a fresh, harmonious taste with an attractive fruity aroma.
Akhasheni
One of the most popular Georgian wine Akhasheni in the history of its production was awarded six gold medals at international wine exhibitions, adding to the piggy bank, and five silver.
Like other wines, it got its name from the area where grapes are cultivated and harvested for its production, and an ancient legend says that even King David ordered to plant vineyards here.
Semi-sweet red table wine with an alcohol content of not more than 12% is served with spicy meat dishes, as well as with chocolate dessert or cheese cutting.
Pirosmani
In 1981, they began to produce white and red wine with the picturesque name "Pirosmani", which, due to the soil-climatic conditions of the cultivation of grapes, received unique taste properties.
The thick dark garnet color of the wine resembles the saturated strokes of the great Georgian artist, and the aroma intoxicates with balanced herbs.
The Pirosmani bottle has become a familiar and coveted element of the Georgian feast. Wine is distinguished not only by taste, but also by the design of the bottle, on the labels of which the artist’s plots are marked.
"Napareuli"
The brand, famous at the end of the 19th century, today is one of the ten most popular dry wines of Georgia. The vineyards from which the white and red species of this brand are produced grow at an altitude of 500 meters above the sea.
There is also a historic wine cellar that stores production ingredients. A special production technology is used, as well as bottling.
Suitable for any feast menu, but gourmets will clearly determine when to use white and when to use red “Napareuli”.
Baraconi
Wine bright garnet color from the varieties "Alexandrouli", "Mujuretuli" began to be produced in 1982. Relatively inexpensive with excellent taste, it quickly became popular.
It features a magnificent bouquet with violet tons and shades of herbs. Prepared by traditional technologies, by incomplete fermentation.
It undergoes pasteurization, and usually serves it to meat, as well as to traditional dishes of Georgian cuisine.
Saperavi
The wine, named after the same grape variety, has a number of features, which significantly distinguishes it among similar drinks.
First of all, Georgian wine Saperavi is the most popular wine in Georgia, as grapes grow in any part of the mountainous country. The second feature is saturated bright garnet color and excellent tart taste.
But the most remarkable thing is that winemakers learned from one crop to make wines unlike each other, saturated with a pleasant taste and heady aroma.
Tamarani
The rating of Georgian wines continues with the matured sparkling drink Tamarani, pleasing to the eye with its light straw color and captivating with a pleasant taste.
In semisweet white wine, fruity and citrus notes form the basic basis into which floral shades are harmoniously interwoven. But the aftertaste is refreshing with a taste of lemon and the aroma of mountain herbs.
An invigorating, refreshing drink has a 6-month aging with a harmonious acid balance.
Teliani
Another red vintage table wine is also included in the list of wines delivered abroad, so its bright label can be found on store shelves in different corners of the globe.
It began to be produced at the very end of the 19th century, and today Teliani remains the leading brand of Georgia. The drink is distinguished by the delicate aroma of violets, and the aftertaste captivates with the light freshness of grapes.
The components for making a wonderful drink are aged in oak barrels for three years, which gives the wine sophistication, as well as unusual taste.
Bahtrioni
Dry Georgian wines are represented by a wide line, among which the legendary Bahrationi wine stands out with its special tastes.
It is produced from grapes growing in only one region of Georgia, and is named after the great son of the Georgian people, the hero of the Patriotic War of 1812. The world-famous wine is the real pride of the Akhmeta region.
Color with a slightly greenish tint, and the taste is harmonious and balanced. The jury of international exhibitions awarded the Georgian masterpiece 2 gold medals.
Mukuzani
Bright red wine made from local grape varieties tops the list of popular drinks from Georgia. In addition, it is one of the oldest, because its production began in 1888.
Mukuzani is aged for 3 years in oak barrels, which gives the wine an exclusive aftertaste of oak combined with hints of wild berries. The taste is far ahead of wines made from the Saperavi variety.
Thanks to its palatability, the wine is highly praised by experts, and has been awarded many awards at exhibitions and competitions.
Kardanakhi
But this fortified wine is aged for 3 years in oak barrels under the scorching rays of the Caucasian sun, therefore it belongs to the category of “port wine”.
Due to the peculiarities of production technologies, a rich dark red color and astringent taste are obtained, in which notes of honey come out with a slight aftertaste of spices.
It has been produced since 1926 from a mixture of different varieties of white grapes. A wonderful product of Georgian winemakers successfully competes in inserts with Portuguese and Spanish wines, winning 8 gold awards.
Chavery
The magnificent taste of wine, created by nature itself and a mild climate, won the hearts of not only the inhabitants of the Caucasus, but also far beyond the Caucasus Range.
Experts advise drinking Chhavery in small sips, savoring the charming taste, inhaling the intoxicating aromas that come from the very heart of the vine.
It has been produced since 1943 from the same name variety, possessing special properties. The color of the drink is also unique, in the bottle it is transparent white, but in the glass it will shimmer with pinkish shades.
"Alazani Valley"
Another good Georgian wine got its name from the name of the picturesque Georgian valley. It is as beautiful as the charm of nature, where it is produced.
It is produced in two types, red - from the famous "Rkatsiteli", but white - from the traditional "Saperavi". But note that other varieties can be added.
Despite their youth, they produce it according to old Kakheti recipes, using a unique technology, using jugs-burrows buried in the ground.
Salkhino
Dessert red wine obtained from the wonderful Isabella variety will not leave indifferent true connoisseurs of noble drinks from sunny Georgia.
The history of production began in 1928, and the variety used is collected from different regions of Georgia. Then the wine components languish in barrels for 2-3 years, and only then, after filtering, the wine is bottled.
Depending on the region where the grapes grow, the color ranges from bright pomegranate to bright red.
"Kakheti home"
Natural white wine is a vivid example of Georgian traditions of winemaking, which absorbed the best qualities of the most famous grape varieties.
The noble amber color perfectly plays with glare in the sun, and the taste captivates with subtle notes of fresh grapes and spices, with a light herbal aftertaste.
"Kakheti homemade" is usually served at room temperature for meat and dishes, but gourmets prefer to use it, no matter what menu is presented on the table.
Khvanchkara
Georgian spill wine with the poetic name “Khvanchkara” is a real gem among noble drinks originating from the mountainous regions of the Caucasus.
Grapes growing in the ancient land of Colchis give the drink a noble dark ruby color and unique taste. A rich grape bouquet harmonizes perfectly with tones of raspberries and captivates with a light fruity aftertaste.
“Khvanchkara”, the production of which began in 1932, was considered Joseph Stalin's favorite drink; he, on giving, gave this name to wine in the village of Khvanchkara, where a winery was built in 1927.
"Usahelauri"
Georgian manufacturers strictly adhere to old traditions and take their business with care and soul. This fully applies to Usakhelauri, which is the most expensive Georgian wine today.
Get a semi-sweet white grape of the same name, carefully grown in the valleys of the Caucasian country. Note that the sweetness of this noble drink, the price of which ranges from $ 100 per bottle, is given not by sugar, but by grapes.
Connoisseurs know that you can buy it in Moscow, and the taste with velvety grape tons and hints of berries will not leave anyone indifferent.
After the Napoleonic Wars, the world caved in under the pressure of French-Saxon tastes, but the Georgians preserved their unique wine-making traditions and today compete on equal terms with recognized world alcohol brands.
In conclusion, some statistics confirming that Georgian wines are valued far beyond the borders of the Caucasus. According to surveys conducted in Russia, Georgian wines are considered the most popular, but they account for only 15% of the alcoholic beverages market. Wines from Georgia are exported to 40 countries of the world, and in Georgia itself it is believed that wine is one of the factors of the excellent health of Georgians and their enviable longevity.
Article author: Valery Skiba