Try January, Not Dry January
Try January: 4 Bottles from Georgia to Quench Your Curiosity
We all know the merits of drinking in moderation — having fun, enjoying the flavours of wine and the way it works with food, and, importantly, avoiding the morning headache. It’s hard to resist the temptation to go all-in over Christmas and New Year, though, and there’s no need to pretend: January wine consumption crashes for a reason. It’s the collective hangover followed by an equally collective detox.
What we want to do instead is encourage you to be mindful during the holidays and stay curious afterwards. You don’t need to go from festive excess to complete abstinence. You can simply slow down, choose more thoughtfully, and try something you wouldn’t usually reach for.
Rule 1: One glass instead of several glasses
The whole point is enjoying what’s in the glass, not rushing through it. Choose wines with character so a single glass actually feels satisfying.
Rule 2: Go for lighter styles
January is all about gentle resets. Lighter whites, elegant reds, eventually, lower-alcohol options - wines that don’t tire you out.
Rule 3: Explore outside your usual comfort zone
If you always pick Primitivo or Sauvignon Blanc, January is your excuse to taste something you’ve never tried. Georgia has plenty of those.
Rule 4: Keep it budget-friendly
After December spending, nobody wants premium price tags. The wines we will recommend are interesting, well-made, and easy on the wallet.
Let’s go!
Week 1. Bottle: Bedoba Orange
Bedoba Orange is a brilliant way to start Try January: expressive but not heavy, gently textured without the full qvevri punch, and full of citrus, quince and subtle spice. It’s also a decorated bottle — an IWSC medal-winner, which is always reassuring when you’re dipping your toe into orange wine. A glass of this feels both interesting and manageable, and it pairs easily with Veganuary staples and simple roasted veg.
Week 2. Bottle: Tiko Estate Mtsvane 2023
Kakhuri Mtsvane can take many forms, but the white or lighter skin-contact versions are ideal for January. They offer a bit of texture, soft grip, citrus peel, and herbal edges. The Tiko Estate bottling shows how fresh and drinkable Mtsvane can be, with bright acidity and a gentle spiced-apple finish. Exactly the kind of wine that makes “drinking less but better” feel easy.
Week 3. Bottle: Teliani Valley Winery 97 “Kakhuri No.8” Orange Wine 2020
If you’re curious about amber/orange wine but don’t want anything too tannic or intense, this is the perfect middle ground. Made with a light touch, No.8 offers dried citrus, apple skin and a clean, refreshing finish. Enough character to feel special, but never overwhelming — a classic mid-January “something different” bottle.
Week 4. Bottle: Vine Ponto Chinuri
To close Try January, here’s a truly elegant Georgian white: a qvevri-fermented Chinuri from Vine Ponto. Chinuri is naturally crisp and citrus-led, and the gentle clay ageing adds subtle texture without weighing it down. Expect green apple, quince, a soft herbal edge and a clean, mineral finish.
It’s an extremely fine and authentic expression of Kartli’s main white grape: textured, fine and perfect for a slow final glass at the end of January.
