Iago Bitarishvili makes just 5,000 bottles a year, but his influence and impact is that of a major, and visionary, producer. From his family vineyards in Kartli he makes arrestingly elegant Amber and White wines from the local Chinuri grape. Born to a wine-making family, Iago reintroduced the use of Qvevri in the early 2000s…
Khareba is a large and commercially significant Georgian wine producer with an aristocratic origin. As long ago as the 17th century, wines from its vineyards in Vachnadzeani, in Hereti, were championed by the noble Jandieri and the Vachnadze families. The following period, however, brought conflict and rule by the Persians, and destruction of vineyards and…
Although it was officially launched in 1997, Teliani Valley winery has over a century of history – and a pivotal role in the development of Georgian wine. The modern winery is the successor of one opened in Tsinandali in 1887 by Prince Alexander Chavchavadze. It was remarkably innovative for its time. Chavchavadze was a celebrated…
Mosmieri. Founded by a German-Georgian team near Telavi, Kakheti, this new winery is an example of the flourishing of Georgia’s boutique wine scene. The beautiful winery, courtyard garden and restaurant are built using the delicately proportioned hand-finished bricks and stone of local origin. The tower and wooden balconies nod to Georgia’s distinctively elegant traditional architecture.…
A new documentary film about Georgian wine makers is among screenings at the Georgian Film Festival in London from 1st to 8th May. “Our Blood is Wine” is directed by Emily Railsback, and co-presented by sommelier Jeremy Quinn. Shot entirely on iPhone, the film explores the resurgent wine culture of Georgia, and its powerful links…
The second annual Georgian Trade and Press Tasting in London will include more than 100 wines representing the diversity of the regions, terroirs, grapes and wine styles of this resurgent and dynamic wine nation. Styles available to taste include aromatic whites and supple reds from contemporary large producers, as well as artisan wines from Qvevri…
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, but there is no question that this is precisely what Georgia achieved this year with its presence in Hall 15. Over 20 producers of varying…
The UK is falling in love with Georgian Wine, and we are delighted to share the greatly expanded list of retailers, online merchants, restaurants and importers offering Georgian wine after this first year of group marketing in the UK. Please note that listings are subject to change, and we recommend checking in advance before making…
New findings from a research project conducted by an international team of scientists have confirmed that the beginnings of viticulture and winemaking can be traced to around 6000 B.C., in Georgia. Image courtesy of: Early Neolithic Wine of Georgia in the South Caucasus Previous evidence suggested that the earliest signs of winemaking dated to around 5400 –…
Reading the report on Sarah Abbott’s recent trip to Georgia with a team of top UK buyers prompted some memories of my own from three decades ago. I still don’t know how, in 1987, I came to be included in a small group of wine professionals invited to visit the then Soviet Union. There were,…