Georgian Wine History

Georgia is one of the oldest wine regions in the world.The fertile valleys and protective slopes of the Transcaucasia were home to grapevine cultivation and neolithic wine production (Georgian: ღვინო)for at least 8000 years.Due to the many millennia of wine in Georgian history and its prominent economic role, the traditions of wine are considered entwined with and inseparable from the national identity...

Georgian "saperavi"

Saperavi (Georgian: საფერავი) is an acidic, teinturier-type grape variety native to the country of Georgia, where it is used to make many of the region's most well-known wines.Saperavi grapes are used predominantly in Georgia, but have spread to other regions of Eastern Europe more recently (Purcari, Moldova). Saperavi cultivars are also being grown in New World wine regions, notably in Finger Lakes, New York area vineyards. It has shown promising results for a few growers in Australia, where it was pioneered in the King Valley Region of North East Victoria.Notable Georgian wines made exclusively or predominately with Saperavi grapes:Kindzmarauli, Akhasheni,Mukuzani

Georgian "Rkatsiteli"

Rkatsiteli (Georgian: რქაწითელი) is a kind of grape used to produce white wine. This ancient vinifera originates in Georgia and is one of the oldest grape varieties. In Georgia, clay vessels were found with seeds of Rkatsiteli grapes which date back to 3000 BC.Rkatsiteli was popular in the Soviet Union prior to its fall and at one point was responsible for more the 18% of all Soviet wine production.In Kakheti it was particularly known for its sweet dessert wines fashioned in the same manner as port wine. There were many attempts to create a sparkling wine from the grape but its naturally high alcohol levels prevented it from being much of a success. Rkatsiteli grapes are frequently mixed with the Mtsvane Kakhuri variety.