PDO 101: Tibaani
Tibaani PDO is for skin-fermented Rkatsiteli produced using traditional qvevri. Tibaani has a dark amber color, nutty aromas, intense bouquet, velvety taste and raisin flavours. The micro-zone is located in…
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…
Understanding the supra
Georgian hospitality is the stuff of legend. And the supra really is a feast of legendary proportions – to the British, the sort of special occasion meal we’d partake in…
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,…
Georgian ‘khantsi’ drinking horns
Drinking horns can seem like a relic of an ancient culture. They feature heavily in stories of Viking beer halls, legends of Thor and Medieval feasting where they were preserve…
Tavkveri
This red grape, evocatively named “hammerhead,” for the flat top of the bunch itself, is indigenous to Kartli but also grown in Kakheti. Tavkveri grows well in deep clay 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…
Chkhaveri
A western Georgian variety, Chkhaveri is mostly planted near the Black Sea coast in Adjara and especially in Guria, but also in Imereti. Chkhaveri originally was a “maghlari” wine, a…
Khikhvi
The origins of Khikhvi’s name are unknown, but it grows widely in eastern Georgia, especially in Kakheti it originated. Most plantings are on the East-Southeast reaches of the province, on…
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…