Importer Focus: Proper Natural Wine
The newest importer in the Georgian Wines UK stable, Proper Natural Wine isn’t your average wine company. Its founder, Lucy Hewitt, is a relative newcomer to the wine scene with…
A Tbilisi mini-break isn’t complete without a visit to Kakheti
The beauty and cultural richness of Georgia is finally gaining Western recognition – and not a moment too soon. Tbilisi’s appeal is providing an important opportunity for Georgian winemakers to…
Dzelshavi: the oldest Georgian grape?
In a country overflowing with ancient and rare grape varieties, it takes something special to stand out from the crowd. Dzelshavi is believed to be one of Georgia’s very oldest…
How to toast – the Georgian way
In the country where wine was invented (so say Georgians), it’s hardly surprisingly that toasting is serious business. The tradition is called supra, and its background and process are the stuff…
Saperavi: the grape to watch
If Sarah Abbott MW has her way, Saperavi will soon be as familiar a grape as Shiraz. “It makes soulful tasting wines”, she says. Saperavi is Georgia’s hero grape variety. One of only…
Marketing romance: the qvevri makers of Georgia
Qvevri – large earthenware jars used for fermentation – have become a vital part of the consumer perception of Georgian wine. The National Wine Agency of Georgia, together with Swirl &…
Qvevri wines taking center stage
Georgia is a small country, but the climatic and topographic variation is huge. You can find a spot to grow almost anything in Georgia, from tea to walnuts. (It’s one…
Producer Focus: Vazisubani Estate
This small estate of 34 hectares is being restored to old glories by Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze. Vazisubani’s mansion and vineyards were established by Tavadi (Prince) Sulkhan Chavchavadze in…
Georgia – Thirty Years On – A Personal Recollection by Robert Joseph
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…