Wines of Georgia will have its largest ever presence at this year’s London Wine Fair.
170 wines from 18 producers will be available to taste at the Georgian Wine Pavilion (F40).
Diverse wine styles
The diversity of Georgian wine will be well represented at the stand. Sarah Abbott MW who runs the Wines of Georgia UK Campaign explains: “Georgia has seen huge growth in the UK over the last five years and we continue to see increasing interest from the trade. At the Fair this year, visitors can expect to try modern fresh dry whites from aromatic varieties such as Kisi, Mtsvane, and Rkatsiteli. Georgia’s hero red grape, Saperavi, is present in many guises, from rich and oak-aged to juicy and fresh. The growing plantings of rescued varieties is reflected in the diversity of varietal wines, which further include (in whites) Tsitska, Tetra, Krakhuna, Tsolikouri and (in reds) Aleksandreuli, Ostkhanure Sapere, Tavkveri, and Aladasturi. There is even some qvevri Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec for those reassured by a familiar name!”
Wine styles include dry whites, rosé and reds, and qvevri amber and red wines. There are also some high quality examples of the fresh and off-dry reds that Georgia was once most famous for.
The range of producers taking part also reflects the healthy diversity of Georgian wine, from large corporations to artisanal low-intervention wineries. Sarah continues: “The large number of producers on the stand shows the commitment of the Georgian wine industry to develop the UK market, and to diversify from its reliance on the Russian market.”
Highlights include the launch of Château Kétévane, who will be introducing their IWSC Gold medal winning Rkatsiteli for the first time, and new brand launches from Ikalto and Andamati wineries. Tbilvino, which has found great success in the UK – with Laithwaites, Marks and Spencer ‘s “Found” range, and Majestic and Waitrose – will be showing their full range of wines, which are available from Berkmann Wine Cellars.
Masterclasses at IWSC stand K50
Sarah Abbott will be hosting walk-up masterclasses on Georgian wines on the IWSC stand (K50). The sessions are: Monday 15th May from 3-4pm on New Wave Qvevri wines, and Wednesday 17th May from 12pm-1pm with a focus on Super Saperavi. These are drop in masterclasses and registration is not necessary but they are expected to be popular and prompt arrival is advised.
Embassy of Georgia supports
Her Excellency Sophie Katsarava, MBE, Georgian Ambassador to the UK will formally open the stand on the morning of the 15th May.
Producers at the stand are:
- Acto Bediani
- Aleksandrouli
- Baias wine
- Bolero and company
- Chateau Buera
- Chateau Ketevan
- Dugladze wines and spirits
- GK winery
- Goglas wine
- Iako wines
- Kakhuri gvinis marani
- Kartveli
- Labara
- Mtevino
- Qvevri generation
- Samisi winery
- Tbilvino
- Tsereteli wine company
- Wineman
- Winery Ikalto
- Winery Melitoni
In addition, Georgian and Italian wine importer Gardabani will be showing wines from their portfolio on stand C41, including Chateau Svanidze and Askaneli from Georgia.