Tsolikouri
The leading white grape of western Georgia, Tsolikouri originates in Kolkheti (ancient Colchis, the land of the Golden Fleece). The origins of its name are uncertain. The vine has medium-sized,…
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Georgian Grape Varieties
Georgian grape names are nearly always descriptive of their appearance or flavour, reflecting the historic widespread viticulture of the country. Georgia has at least 500 native varieties, but most were almost wiped out during Soviet times, when consolidation and efficiency replaced the naturally diverse, regional and individualistic Georgian wine culture. Today, around 45 varieties are commercially produced, but the Georgian government is on a mission to save and reintroduce the old grapes. In summer 2014, the National Wine Agency started by giving over 7000 plants of ‘obscure’ varieties to growers around the region, and this had steadily increased over subsequent years.
White Grapes
Mtsvane Kakhuri
This name means “green Kakheti,” and is usually called simply “Mtsvane” (Green). Mtsvane Kakhuri is one of six different Mtsvane that grow throughout Georgia, each with a different DNA fingerprint,…
Goruli Mtsvane – a white grape to watch
Goruli Mtsvane (pronounced Go-roo-lee Mah-ts-vah-nay) may not be as well known as its white counterparts Rkatsiteli or Kisi, but its well worth seeking out. Goruli Mtsvane originates from Kartli, one…
Khikhvi: the ‘unsung hero’ grape of Georgia?
In a country overflowing with native grape varieties, it’s inevitable that the origins of some may fade into obscurity. Khikhvi is one such grape – it grows widely in Eastern…
A grape by any other name: Tsitska
If you’re looking for a high-quality, soft and approachable white wine, then look no further than Tsitska. Indeed, in upper and central Imereti, Tsitska is principally used to make sought…
Textured, mineral whites: if you like this try…
Do you like rich, textural white wines? Love an oaked Chardonnay, with its creamy mouthfeel? Perhaps you favour a rich style of Pinot Grigio, or a white Rioja with its…
Fruity, aromatic whites: if you like this try…
We know that for many drinkers, Georgian varieties can seem a little daunting because the names and pronunciations are so different than familiar European varieties. So, we want to make…
Krakhuna: the star of Western Georgia
In a country overflowing with ancient grape varieties, Krakhuna is one of the oldest. And is happily easier to pronounce than many other Georgian grapes! Indigenous to Imereti in the…
Crisp, fresh whites: if you like this try…
Like crisp, really dry, fresh white wines? There’s no need to be daunted by the complexities of Georgia’s varieties. We know it can seem a little daunting because the names and…
Tsolikouri: the white grape of Western Georgia
If Rkatsiteli is the white grape of eastern Georgia, then Tsolikouri is the white grape of western Georgia. Pronounced sol-li-kori, Tsolikouri is planted throughout Imereti. The region is packed with…
Chinuri: Georgian sparkling wine
The name ‘Chinuri’ is derived from the word chinebuli, meaning ‘excellent’ in Georgian. It refers to the grape’s reputation for excellence in terms of appearance, colour and flavour. Chini also means ‘reddish-green’,…
Rkatsiteli: *almost* a household name
If you’re at all interested in Georgian wine, then you’ll almost certainly have heard of Rkatsiteli. A white grape used to produce both traditional Georgian-style and European-style wines, it is…
Georgian wine geek-out! Essential info on: Mtsvane Kakhuri.
As Georgian wines become more available and visible in the UK, the time is now for this series of short posts giving you the essentials on the grapes, growers and…
A Tbilisi mini-break isn’t complete without a visit to Kakheti
The beauty and cultural richness of Georgia is finally gaining Western recognition – and not a moment too soon. Tbilisi’s appeal is providing an important opportunity for Georgian winemakers to…
Georgia, Behind the Label
It is far from easy to stand out among the thousands of stands spread across the 10 halls covering 71,000 square metres at the annual ProWein fair in Dusseldorf,…
Georgia Chosen to be First Guest Wine Region by Bordeaux’s Cité du Vin
Cité du Vin – a celebration of wine in France The Cité du Vin, which opened in the heart of Bordeaux earlier this year, is much more than a museum;…
Rkatsiteli
Rkatsiteli means “red stem”, and is the sturdy workhorse of white grapes in Georgia. It is cultivated throughout its native Kakheti, and in Kartli. Rkatsiteli is disease resistant, and ripens…
Goruli Mtsvane
Not to be confused with the Mtsvane Kakheti, this “Green Gori” has a variety of alternative names and synonyms. Commercially, however, it is labelled consistently as Goruli Mtsvane. The variety…
Red Grapes
Otskhanuri Sapere
Otskhanuri Sapere means “Otskhana’s colourful.” Otskhana is a village in western Georgia. One of the oldest Georgian varieties, Otskhanuri Sapere grows only in the western part of the country, mostly…
Shavkapito
Meaning “vine with a black cane,” Shavkapito originated in Kartli, in eastern Georgia. Its medium-sized, conical bunches typically have wings and moderate density. The round, medium-sized berries are round and…
Aladasturi
Another vine named for its presumed origin (the village of Aladast, in Guria), Aladasturi vines were widespread throughout central Georgia but were largely wiped out by phylloxera. Originally trained to…
Supple, textured, scented reds: if you like this try…
Do you love supple, textured, scented red wines? Love cool-climate Syrah, a Rioja or other good Tempranillo? Or perhaps you favour a New Zealand Pinot Noir or supple European Merlot? With…
Nearly wiped out by phylloxera: try rare but resurgent Aladasturi
Aladasturi is a famous grape in Georgia, oft quoted in Georgian folklore and literature. The vine species appears in a number of Georgian poems, novel, songs, proverbs and sayings, though, as…
Usakhelouri: the grape with no name
Usakhelouri was nearly wiped out. During Soviet rule, Georgia’s wine industry was geared entirely towards supplying bulk wine to Russia. This policy put Usakhelouri particularly at risk – it doesn’t…
Aleksandrouli: Racha-Lechkhumi’s admired grape variety
Racha-Lechkhumi is one of Georgia’s smallest wine regions, but also one of the country’s most important. Covering less than 2000 square miles of Northern Georgian, this little region is wedged…
What makes Saperavi so special?
Even wine lovers not versed in Georgian grape varieties will most likely have heard of Saperavi. As ancient as Georgia itself, Saperavi has done more for the profile of Georgian…
If you like this try: Ruby Port and other sweet wines
At this time of year – especially with Christmas coming up – we love nothing more than something a little sweet. Whether your tipple is desert wine, or a velveting,…
Light, refreshing reds: if you like this try…
The weather’s come over all autumnal. We bet your thoughts are turning to rich stews – and even richer reds wines to go with them. But we think there’s still…
Brought back from the edge of extinction: Jani
Jani was very nearly lost to the phylloxera outbreak of the late 19th century. How appropriate that the name ‘Jani’ means ‘powerful’ – because it took great power and determination…
Can you pronounce Otskhanuri Sapere?
Otskhanuri Sapere (oh-sah-kh-ah-noo-ree sah-pear-eh) is thought to be one of Georgia’s oldest grape varieties – which is really saying something in a country bursting with ancient grapes. Otskhanuri Sapere is…
A well kept secret of sweet wine lovers: Khvanchkara AOC
If you have even a passing interest in sweeter wines, then you have to know about cult wine Khvanchkara AOC. Khvanchkara is a semi-sweet red wine from this small appellation…
The perfect summer wine: Dzelshavi
Lockdown is making life far more challenging for us all but we’ve found a silver lining is a heightened appreciation for what we put on our tables. With summer fast…
Recently rediscovered drink of kings: Shavkapito
On the scale of obscure indigenous Georgian grape varieties, Shavkapito takes the biscuit. Though once the favoured grape of kings, Shavkapito was only recently rediscovered. Indeed, it’s so rare that…
Tavkveri: the shark of wines
What do sharks and wine have in common? Not much! Though this grape is nicknamed after one the ocean’s most elusive predators: Hammerheads. These red grapes are evocatively nicknamed for…
Drink Saperavi this Christmas
Is there a red grape more suited to Christmas feasting than Saperavi? This versatile grape can be used to make dry, semi-sweet, full-on sweet, and fortified wines. If you wanted, you…
Sweet and spicy
Georgia has become internationally known for its qvevri wines, helped in no small part by a swelling global interest in natural wines and orange wines. But did you know that…
A Tbilisi mini-break isn’t complete without a visit to Kakheti
The beauty and cultural richness of Georgia is finally gaining Western recognition – and not a moment too soon. Tbilisi’s appeal is providing an important opportunity for Georgian winemakers to…
Dzelshavi: the oldest Georgian grape?
In a country overflowing with ancient and rare grape varieties, it takes something special to stand out from the crowd. Dzelshavi is believed to be one of Georgia’s very oldest…
How shifting export opportunities are driving quality in Georgian wine
The CIS or Commonwealth of Independent States was formed in 1991; a union of 10 post-Soviet republics in Eastern Europe which marked the end of the Soviet Bloc. Prior to…
Saperavi: the grape to watch
If Sarah Abbott MW has her way, Saperavi will soon be as familiar a grape as Shiraz. “It makes soulful tasting wines”, she says. Saperavi is Georgia’s hero grape variety. One of only…
Georgia, Behind the Label
It is far from easy to stand out among the thousands of stands spread across the 10 halls covering 71,000 square metres at the annual ProWein fair in Dusseldorf,…
Georgia Chosen to be First Guest Wine Region by Bordeaux’s Cité du Vin
Cité du Vin – a celebration of wine in France The Cité du Vin, which opened in the heart of Bordeaux earlier this year, is much more than a museum;…
Saperavi Joins the Ranks of the World’s Fine Wines
Fine minds and fine wines…. What makes a wine ‘fine’? Along with 60 or so wine enthusiasts, professionals and consumers I was lucky to be invited by Nicole Sierra-Rolet co-founder of…
Aleksandrouli
The indigenous “vine of Alexander,” Aleksandrouli has been nurtured for a long time in the mountainous hillsides of Racha-Lechkhumi in western Georgia. Long thought to be a completely distinct variety…
Mujuretuli
Mujuretuli is, with Aleksandrouli, best known as forming the other half of the cult partnership that is Khvanchkara. Like its relative, it is largely cultivated along the Rioni River in…
Usakhelouri
Literally, the “grape with no name,” Usakhelouri is indigenous to western Georgia. Early 20th century historian Javakhishvili noted it was name for a village of the same name that was…
With thanks to:
Georgian Amplelography, N. Ketskhoveli et al.
Wine Grapes, Js Robinson, Harding, Vouillamoz
D. Maghradze
L. Uzunashvili
N. Tsertsvadze (2012)
Wine Grapes, Js Robinson, Harding, Vouillamoz
D. Maghradze
L. Uzunashvili
N. Tsertsvadze (2012)