In May we launched an initial series of three Virtual Tastings on Georgian Wine, with Swirl in The Cloud. Hosted by Sarah Abbott MW, all three events were fully subscribed and were attended by wine trade professionals and journalists. Guests were sent sample wines in advance of the tasting, and came together online to watch a presentation, ask questions and taste wines and offer their feedback.
The topics covered by the events were Essential Georgia, Georgian Qvevri Wines, and Contemporary Georgia.
The feedback from attendees was hugely positive:
“Thank you so much for this morning’s presentation, it was fascinating and the proof is that there were so many questions…this webinar really made my week.“
“…it was greatly informative and so interesting…”
“…a very interesting and illuminating presentation…”
“Just wanted to say thanks for the webinar on Georgian wines last week. Really fascinating and so much to learn!”
We have expanded our Virtual Tasting program of Georgian wines, with new dates now confirmed from June. While in-person tastings remain postponed until at least September, we are delighted that the format of these digital equivalents is proving so popular and valuable.
The upcoming events for Georgian wine are as follows:
1. Closer than you think: Georgian Grape Varieties
Webinar: Wednesday 17th June 2020
- • 3pm-4:30pm British Summer Time
This Webinar explores Georgian grape varieties, where to find the wines made from them, how to understand them, and how they relate to familiar European wine grapes. This format is a theoretical exploration of the history, planting, survival and wine styles of Georgian grape varieties. We give examples of key wines, regional characteristics, typical winemaking treatments in both classic and qvevri methods, and listings of importers and wholesalers with example wines in the UK.
2. Georgian wines, here and now.
Virtual Tasting: Wednesday 24th June 2020
- • 1pm British Summer Time
This Virtual Tasting is for UK-based members of the wine and hospitality trades, and wine journalists and writers. The availability of Georgian wine in the UK has blossomed in the last 6 months, and this Virtual Tasting will cover the essentials of Georgian wine regions, grapes and styles illustrated by sample wines all of which are now available from UK importers.
Wine styles include sparkling, rosé, dry white, dry red, amber, and qvevri amber and qvevri red wines, as well as authentic off-dry red wines.
Confirmed guests will be sent sample bottles of the selected wines.
3. Raw, real and personal: low intervention wines from grower-makers.
Virtual Tasting: Wednesday 1st July 2020
- • 1pm-2:30pm British Summer Time
This Virtual Tasting explores the eclectic, artisanal, low-fi counter culture of wine through a Georgian lens. The Georgian temperament has a famously soulful, idiosyncratic and expressive streak. Combine this with an 8,000 year unbroken wine tradition, the heartfelt identification of country with wine-making, and the survival of ancient qvevri winemaking methods, and it’s easy to see why Georgia is one of the centres of the natural wine movement. We will explore a range of wines, predominantly made in qvevri, from makers with a deep personal investment and determindly low-intervention approach.
Confirmed guests will be sent sample bottles of the selected wines.
4. Georgian Qvevri Winemaking: ancient wisdom for contemporary wines
Webinar: Thursday 23rd July 2020
- • 3pm-4:30pm British Summer Time
This topic returns by popular demand in a webinar that explores in more depth the history, production, usage and renaissance of qvevri wine making across Georgia. These traditional clay vessels have been used in Georgia since 6,000BC to ferment, mature and store wines of diverse styles. Despite the rapid increase in interest in qvevri winemaking, the science, art and nuanced practice of qvevri winemaking is still misunderstood. Qvevri solve a lot of winemaking problems, but their effective use demands close attention, relentless hygiene and patient commitment from the winemaker. This theoretical webinar seeks to bust a few myths and explain the value and appeal of making qvevri.
5. The little Georgian universe: meet the diversity of Georgia
Virtual Tasting: Wednesday 29th July 2020
- • 1pm-2:30pm British Summer Time
Aimed at wine trade professionals and journalists, this Virtual Tasting explores the contemporary diversity and potential of Georgian wine, with reference to the place for Georgian wine in the UK, the range of wine styles being made in Georgia, and how to put such Georgian wines in context for the UK market.
6. Welcome to Georgian Wine!
Webinar with optional tasting wines: Friday 7th August 2020
- • 6pm-7:30pm BST
Open to all, and not just wine professionals this webinar is a broad introduction to Georgian wine culture and wines, covering everything you need to get your head around the basics of this fascinating wine country. From how to pronounce, and recognise, Georgian wine names and grape varieties, to what to drink them with. The webinar is free to attend, and guests can choose to order tasting packs of Georgian wine from several UK wine merchants who are now offering a selection of Georgian wines.
For further information, please contact:
Madeleine Waters [email protected] 07778 702221
Website: Georgianwine.uk
Twitter, Facebook, Instagram: @GeorgianwineUK