How many varieties of grapes are in Georgia. White dry Georgian wines

Flowering foothills, harsh rocky ridges, subtropical Black Sea climate - God Himself created all the conditions for growing in Georgia vine. Georgians have a reverent, almost religious attitude towards winemaking. Georgian wines are well-deservedly popular all over the world. Unfortunately, the opportunity to enjoy true taste pure products do not always fall out: a significant part of Georgian wines on the shelves of supermarkets is a fake. The famous Khvanchkara wine is no exception. How to distinguish a fake without being a specialist in this field? Let's turn to the advice of experts.

The best Georgian wines

Throughout Georgia, you cannot find a region, village and house where local wine is not produced or consumed, but Kakheti is considered the most wine-growing region. It is the Kakhetian technology, according to which the pulp is not separated from the juice during fermentation (unlike the technologies adopted in other wine-producing countries), distinguishes the taste of Georgian wine from the rest. Vessels for fermentation - qvevri, which are buried deep in the ground, are used only in Georgian winemaking. Wine in Georgia is made from exceptional grape varieties that bear fruit only here and nowhere else. Georgians name their wines, with rare exceptions, not by the name of the grape variety, but by the name of the area in which it grows. This, by the way, is one of the rules for determining a fake. The inscription “wine is made from Khvanchkara grapes” should not be on the original in principle. Best Georgian wines, they are the most famous, these are:

White dry: Tsinandali, Gurjaani, Rkatsiteli.
Red dry: Kvareli, Mukuzani, Saperavi
Canteens: Tibaani, Teliani, Napareuli.
Semi-dry: Pirosmani, Barakoni, Akhmeta, Tetra.
Red semi-sweet: Khvanchkara, Kindzmarauli, Akhasheni.

Khvanchkara - princely drink

Khvanchkara is a red wine that belongs to the category of naturally semi-sweet. This means that no sugar is used in its manufacture. The wine was named after wine zone. It was known as princely because for a long period it was made according to their own recipe and for their own use by local princes brothers Kipiani. Mujuretuli and Alexandrouli grape varieties acquire the necessary bouquet only in this region. Attempts to grow them elsewhere have failed: taste qualities are completely lost. Vintage authentic wine Khvanchkara is a drink with the taste of red berries, which merges with hints of caramel, almond, blackberry, rose, walnut, violet, dried fruit. Color - rich ruby, shimmering purple. Khvanchkara fortress - 10 - 12 o, sugar content - 5%.

Why fake?

Most often, it is dry ones that are unprofitable to fake - it is more difficult and expensive to imitate the natural astringency of dry wine, and in semi-sweet astringency is muffled by sweetness, but still it is noticeably noticeable. This also applies to Khvanchkara wine. How to distinguish a fake taste? Of course, this is easy for an experienced taster. The average consumer should remember - if sourness appears in the taste, and not pleasant astringency, the wine is most likely not real.

As already mentioned, which gives an amazing drink called Khvanchkara, grows in a very limited area. Due to the small amount of harvest, even in favorable weather conditions, a relatively small amount of exclusive wine is produced: no more than 10 thousand bottles per year, some of them are export lots. Nevertheless, bottles with the name of this brand can always be found on the shelves of supermarkets.

What exactly is fake?

There are several ways to falsify. Some of them are harmless, spoil the taste, but do not harm health, and there are outright fakes. What do traders do to make a profit?

High-quality real or with another, cheaper (white) variety.
Under the brand of expensive wine, other, cheaper varieties are made from other grape varieties.
Fruit and berry semi-finished products are added to real wine.
Brazen fakes, when the composition of the drink contains alcohol, dye, water and flavor, are, fortunately, rare. This is no longer just a "divorce", but a direct threat to health.

Where is the real Khvanchkara wine? How to distinguish a fake before the tasting? We look at the price, label and bottle.

Value for money

The main criterion that determines the authenticity of Khvanchkara wine is the price. This is exactly the case when good does not come cheap. Favorite wine"leader of all nations" and business card The countries of Georgia today are a rarity. Estimated price - 40-50 dollars a bottle.

They say that it is much cheaper to buy good wine from barrels in peasant farms located in this region, and it is in no way inferior to the factory wine Khvanchkara. How to distinguish a fake in this case? Such wines, for family consumption, are usually natural and of high quality. Whether it’s Khvanchkara or not…

Reading the label

Winemaking in Georgia is currently protected by law, what does this mean? Most popular varieties Georgian wines, including Khvanchkara, the price of which is quite high on the world market, received the right to legally approve their unique technology and secure the name of origin. The main Georgian wine producers are not allowed to violate this law, otherwise they risk losing their license. Khvanchkara wine can only be produced from alexandrouli and mujuretuli grape varieties, which grow in a limited area of Racha-Lechkhumi. The grape variety must be listed on the label. Not more than 1% of the Saperavi variety is allowed.

Well-known manufacturers do not risk tarnishing their reputation with fakes, so it is better to give preference to well-known companies located in the same region. Experts recommend wines from the brands House of Georgian Wine, Marani, Badagoni, Bugiuli, Dionis Club, Vina Tavadze. The name of the manufacturer and the region must be indicated on the label in an accessible font.

Package

How is Khvanchkara wine packaged? How to distinguish fake wine by bottle? And is it really in principle? Yes, you should carefully examine the bottle itself. For expensive varieties quality wine is used glass container without chips, bumps or scratches. stickers and excise stamp are laid out evenly, without traces of glue. Wine of such a variety as Khvanchkara is not packed in bags. You should also not be deceived by frilly bottles. original form, or hidden in weaving: a cheap brand of wine can be hidden behind a beautiful container.

A bottle of Georgian wine - good gift for any celebration, if the wine is real, of course.

Georgia is a country with amazing climatic conditions, which are the best way to promote the cultivation of grapes and, as a result, the production of wines. Almost every family makes wine according to its carefully preserved traditions, using a special container - kvevri for aging and subsequent storage of drinks. Georgian wines, whose names add up to long lists, are a reflection of the traditions, history and mentality of this country, which attracts with its cheerfulness, sunshine and fun.

In the article:

Rating of the best wine producers in Georgia

The best producers of Georgian wines constantly confirm their honorary title of the best winemakers, combining old traditions and modern technologies. For this purpose, new methods of development and optimization are also practiced:

The distance between the vineyards and the shops themselves is reduced, which allows you to keep the raw materials as fresh as possible until they are laid down for processing.
Enormous funds are being invested in the re-equipment of factories. New equipment is being introduced that is capable of producing wine according to ancient technologies. And this, believe me, is quite difficult to combine.
The best wines of Georgia are made under strict control, and it concerns all stages of production, from growing grapes to shipment. finished products.
Brands of Georgian wines are scrupulously examined for falsification. Georgia even has a special law, according to which the name of the drink must match the place of its manufacture.
The cultivation of native and non-hybrid grape varieties is being revived, which makes it possible to obtain "pure" wine.
In order to increase the export of finished products to European countries, wines of Georgia, whose producers keep up with the times, practice the production of "light" drinks aged in oak barrels.

Despite all the innovations, the famous Georgian wines are drinks aged in Qvevri - huge clay vessels with a capacity of up to 1500 liters, half dug into the ground. Note that such containers are made only by hand, passed down from generation to generation and become more valuable as they age.

Wine cellars and enterprises are located throughout the country, but most of them are in Kakheti, the unspoken homeland of Georgian winemaking. In general, the ranking of Georgian wines in terms of fame and popularity trademark as follows:

JSC "Bagrationi"

This producer owns 75% of the entire wine market of the country. Have the greatest value sparkling drinks trademark.

"Kindzmarauli Marani"

This company was founded in 2000, while the history of the drink of the same name is rooted in the depths of the history of the country. According to the requirements of local laws, the names of the place of production, the grape variety and the drink itself are exactly the same.

"Alaverdi monastery cellar"

A manufacturer with a bright history, which for many centuries has remained true to the original traditions of making an intoxicating drink. The products are made using the Kakheti endemic grape variety, and Qvevri clay containers are used for its aging.

"Kimerioni"

Kimerioni is a relatively young brand that quickly adapted to the requirements of the modern alcohol market, starting to produce wines using traditional Kakhetian and European methods.

"Shumi"

This brand differs from its competitors in a closed production cycle. Its owners are engaged in the cultivation and processing of grapes for raw materials, monitor the processes of ripening, bottling and shipment.

Badagoni Georgia

The company was founded in 2002, choosing the village of Zemo Khodasheni as its location. A little later, her vineyards occupied the best plantations in the country, and their total area reached 300 ha.

Chateau Mukhrani

It attracts with its ultra-modern technologies for manufacturing products that meet all international quality standards. The uniqueness of Chateau Mukhrani wine lies in the fact that the grapes for it are grown literally 15 minutes from the plant, which allows you to save all the taste parameters and aroma of freshly picked berries.

Assortment of Georgian wines

Given the huge and constantly expanding range of products of the Georgian wine industry, it is quite difficult to single out the ideal variety of Georgian wine. Among the finished products, special honor should be given to:

Alazani Valley

Alazani Valley in red and white. The first version pleases with notes of dogwood and ripe blackberries, the second beckons with a pronounced amber color and the fragrance of summer wildflowers. Both drinks are good with cheeses and sweets.

Akhasheni - the wine of intense garnet color, which has not lost its popularity for 55 years in a row. Beverage production prerogative of this variety belongs to only one area, all other interpretations are outright and illegal falsification.

Bakhtrioni

Bakhtrioni is a white dry product produced exclusively in the Akhmeta region and is its symbol. The drink has harmonious taste qualities, a greenish tint and a couple of international medals.

Gurjaani

Gurjaani - one of the most ancient wine drinks, the manufacturing technology of which has not changed since 1877. It still undergoes a three-year aging in oak barrels and has a distinctive bitterness in taste. During the history of its existence, the product has won gold, bronze and nine silver awards.

Kardanakhi

Kardanakhi - an amber wine of the "port" type, the exposure of which is not less than three years. They store it in an open oak container, giving sunbeams the ability to warm the maturing liquid throughout the entire thickness. This is probably how the drink gets an intense honey color and taste that makes the best "nervously smoke on the sidelines."

Catalog of Georgian wines

Naturally, this is a very modest rating of Georgian wines, but Georgia does not hide its wine heritage, regularly increasing the turnover of exports of finished products and selling them on its territory at really ridiculous prices. Special road signs have even been prepared for guests of the country, following which you can get to both a huge winery and a small private courtyard with a couple of qvevris half dug into the ground.

Over the centuries, Georgians have created unique types of wine, each of them is different, and each of them is unique in its taste and aroma.

The chief winemaker of the Dugladze Wine Company, Levan Kanchaveli, singled out the 10 most expensive and unique Georgian wines.

Usakhelouri- the most expensive Georgian wine. Usakhelouri grapes grow in Okureshi village of Tsageri district in very small quantities, and wine of the highest quality is made from it. This is a very aromatic, semi-sweet red wine. Usakhelouri costs 80-90 lari, and, of course, its export price is expensive. This wine is in great demand in Europe and China. Among local wine growers, Usakhelouri is also known as Okureshuli.

Muscat - costs from 50 to 70 lari. This wine is also produced in very small quantities. Muscat grapes are mainly found in the regions of Kakheti and Kartli - in Mukhrani, as well as in Gori and adjacent villages. From this grape Georgian winemakers produce best wine, which is mainly sold in China and local market.

Kisi- qvevri wine, which is produced in very small quantities, and costs about 40 to 50 lari. This wine is brewed in the Kakhetian region, in the Akhmeta zone. The wine must boil for six months in qvevri, and only after that it is bottled. Kisi is produced in very small quantities and is a unique wine.

Khvanchkara- made from grapes of the Alexandrouli and Mujuretuli varieties. These two grape varieties grow everywhere in Racha, so Khvanchkara is not uncommon. This is a semi-sweet wine, the cost of one bottle of which is on average 40-60 GEL.

Tvishi- white, semi-sweet wine, made from Tsolikouri grapes. Historically insisted in Lechkhumi. There is a specific viticulture zone "Tvishi", which is located on the right bank of the Rioni River, at an altitude of 435 meters above sea level. It includes the villages of Tvishi and Alpana. It is from this zone that one of the outstanding semi-sweet wines comes, the price of which ranges from 25 to 35 GEL. By the way, Tsolikouri grapes also grow in Imereti, but are not suitable for making "Tvishi", unique taste wine is given by the soil and climate where it is made.

Otskhanuri Sapere also infused in small quantities.

He is insisted on oak barrels, and after about a year and a half they are transferred to bottles. This grape variety grows in Western Georgia, in the area near Zestaponi and Baghdadi. Tableware is made from it. dry wine best quality, the average price of which is 20-30 lari.

Akhasheni- semi-sweet wine made from Saperavi grapes. It is bred in Chumlaki, Akhasheni, and the micro zone that exists in these villages. The price of Akhasheni starts from about 15 lari and goes up to 25 lari. Its export area is mainly Russia and China.

Krahuna- in Western Georgia, on the territory adjacent to Zestaponi, delicious grapes Krahuna. This grape is very High Quality from which the best white, dry wine is made. Its price ranges from 15 to 20 lari. Champagne can also be made from Krahuna grapes, and a sparkling wine High Quality.

Kindzmarauli- not so expensive, but very popular wine. It is made from grapes harvested in Kakheti, in the Kvareli region. The price of wine is about 15-20 GEL. This is one of the unique varieties, despite the fact that it is not rare. Kindzmarauli is exported mainly to China and Russia.

Mukuzani- red dry wine, which is produced in the village of Mukuzani, and in the surrounding area. Mukuzani is a very high quality wine. First, it is aged in barrels, and after a year and a half it can be bottled. Mukuzani costs 15-20 lari. This is true, inexpensive wine, but this is one of the best Georgian wines.

Wine is alcoholic drink, which has a complex chemical composition. It is an unstable physical and chemical system. Organoleptic qualities and the chemical composition of wine largely depend on the climatic and soil conditions of the area where the grapes grew, as well as on the method of its processing. Great value to receive quality wines has a choice of grape varieties that would ideally suit the given area, given soil.

Since winemaking appeared, it has been tested and bred great amount grape varieties. To date, more than 4,000 varieties are known. wine grapes. Of these, a dozen have become international. These are the main white and red varieties of Bordeaux and Burgundy, the German Riesling, the Alsatian Gewürztraminer and the progenitor of many Muscat varieties.

Tens of thousands of people each year worked at the harvest, picking bunches by hand, and only in the 1960s, in the state of New York, the first mechanical machines appeared to facilitate the work. Mechanical harvesting has become widespread in large vineyards, although some regions produce high quality wines, especially where the steep slopes continue to handpick the grapes.

The first step in winemaking is to add a small amount sulfur dioxide (SO2) to crushed grapes or must. So far, nothing has been able to replace the time-tested antiseptic that protects the must and wine from oxidation.

Briefly describe the process of wine production, it is as follows: selected good grapes, is crushed, and the natural yeast found in the grape skins converts the sugar found in grape juice, into alcohol.

These common truths winemaking has been known for hundreds of years. Great wines appear where nature has shown its maximum favor.

Today, every aspect of grape growing and winemaking is controlled to a degree never before dreamed of. The scientific basis of winemaking is used both in regions with traditional winemaking and in small farms. On the other hand, as Professor Emile Peynot from the University of Bordeaux said: "The ultimate goal of modern oenology is the complete rejection of human intervention in the winemaking process."

In its own way color scheme all wines are divided into white , red and rosé . With age, white wines become intense tones instead of straw-yellow color, becoming golden-amber. Red wines and rosés, on the other hand, tend to fade with age. Garnet and ruby colors are converted to brick and brownish.

dry wine (up to 4g/l.)
semi-dry wine (4-12g/l.)
dessert wine (12-45g/l.)
liqueur wine (from 45g/l.).

Tartaric acid, which is vital important ingredient wine, the secret to its balance and bouquet, has the unfortunate property of forming crystals when interacting with either potassium (large sugar-like crystals) or calcium (small, white, powdery crystals). Used to be wine aged for several years in cold cellars, and these crystals formed on the walls of the barrels deposits known as "tartar". Crystals have no taste, are completely natural and harmless.

Consumer interest in wine as a subject of discussion and as a drink is growing every year. The rise of this interest began in the UK and quickly spread throughout the world. Today, in many countries, a lot of magazines and Internet sites about wine are published, wine tastings and meetings with winemakers are regularly held, wine tourism is developing rapidly.

If you want to buy wine at a level higher than a jug, try to do it consciously. You can buy wine for an enamel mug, but there are wines for Baccarat crystal, and it's pointless to pretend they're the same thing. When a wine has an exact place of origin, as opposed to nameless ones, it reflects specific soil, climate, culture and traditions. Find new taste sensations and think about them.

Delicious Georgian wines made the whole world talk about themselves. Georgia, so colorful and sunny, is rightfully called the cradle of winemaking.

More than 500 varieties of grapes (out of 4 thousand varieties known to the world), growing on the territory of the country, once again prove that Georgia is nothing but a “world center” for the formation of cultivated and wild grapes.

The optimism and courage of Georgian winemakers are admirable. Grape plantations spread throughout the country were repeatedly attacked and subsequently liquidated by militant conquerors. For example, in the 14th century, after the invasion of Tamerlane and his hordes, only devastated and scorched earth remained from the recently beautiful vine. The heyday of Georgian winemaking fell on Soviet times. In the USSR, 80% of all vintage wines were supplied by Georgia.

Kakhetian traditional winemaking

Today, Georgian wines are famous all over the world for their Kakhetian wine-making technology. The essence of this method is the storage and aging of wine in special jugs, conical shape- Qvevri (capacity up to 500 decaliters). Qvevri is buried in the ground, leaving only the opening of the jug on the surface. This immersion achieves a relatively constant temperature (14 degrees), ideal for fermentation and storage of the must, which to this day is crushed from the grapes with their feet. The impeccable quality of Georgian wine is the result of a unique Kakhetian method.

Names of the best Georgian wines

White dry Georgian wines (vintage):

"Tsinandali" - dry white Georgian wine

Wine Tsinandali wine of light golden color, with a bright floral aroma and light honey notes.

The taste is harmonious, full, soft; the aftertaste is long and pleasant. It is customary to drink chilled.

Made from Mtsvane and Rkatsiteli grapes. Aged in natural oak barrels for about 2 years.

Approximate price 650-1100 rubles (150-300 UAH)

"Gurjaani" - dry white Georgian wine

Wine Gurjaani soft sandy color, with light spicy notes and gentle bitterness.

The grapes and the aging time are identical with Tsinandali.

Approximate price 600-700 rubles (250-300 UAH)

"Rkatsiteli" - dry white Georgian wine

Wine Rkatsiteli dark amber color, saturated with fruity notes and tones of tea rose wine.

The taste is extractive, full, with a mild astringency. The wine reveals its chic bouquet at room temperature.

"Rkatseteli" is produced according to the Kakhetian technology, and then aged in massive oak barrels for more than a year.

Approximate price 480-500 rubles (160-180 UAH)

"Tibaani" - Georgian white table wine
	Tibaani wine is a deep amber color, iridescent with a dark golden hue. Fine and elegant - this white wine has a rich, complex bouquet, dominated by tones of varietal aroma and withered tea rose. Slightly oily taste of wine pleasantly surprises with gentle velvety. “Tibaani” is made from Rkatsiteli grapes, according to the Kakheti method.

Red dry Georgian wines (vintage):

"Teliani" - red Georgian wine (table, vintage)

Wine Teliani dark pomegranate color, with a bright bouquet, rich cherry and barberry tones.

Soft and velvety taste is harmoniously combined with astringency; aftertaste is long, royal.

It's red vintage wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Long exposure complicates and enriches the bouquet of wine, it shows the tones of mountain violets and weightless morocco notes.

"Kvareli" - red dry Georgian wine

Kvareli wine is a rich red color with a harmonious and delicate taste.

This is one of the first-class Georgian wines, with a complex bouquet of varietal aromas. Made from Saperavi grapes.

Approximate price 800-900 rubles

"Saperavi" - dry red Georgian wine

Wine Saperavi intense dark garnet color. The drink has a fresh and strong varietal aroma, in which tones are pronounced. black currant. Moderately tart taste with a slight bitterness, smoothly flows into a long pleasant aftertaste.

Saperavi is an ordinary Georgian wine, extremely popular in the world. Produced from the grape variety of the same name.

Approximate price 500-700 rubles (150-300 UAH)

Red semi-dry Georgian wines (vintage):

"Pirosmani" - semi-dry red Georgian wine

Pirosmani wine is distinguished by a concentrated dark garnet color and a complex structure. With feeling, the expressed varietal aroma clearly echoes the tones of cherry liqueur. The taste of the drink is full, fresh, with piquant softness.

Produce "Pirosmani" from red grapes Saperavi.

Approximate price 600-900 rubles (150-250 UAH)

White semi-sweet Georgian wines (vintage):

"Akhmeta" is a white semi-sweet wine with a greenish-golden hue and delicate fragrance flowers with light spicy tones. Soft and balanced taste, excitingly captivate with an elegant long berry aftertaste. This Georgian table wine is made from Mtsvane grapes. Serve exclusively chilled (8-12 C).

Tetra is a semi-sweet white wine made from Rachuli Tetra berries. This white wine has a greenish-golden color and a subtle yet distinct aroma of mountain flowers. Notes of summer honey and strong tones of grape berries create a harmonious composition. fresh taste. Long soft aftertaste goes well with a light dessert and fresh fruit. Chilled to 8-12 degrees, Tetra wine reveals the whole amazing bouquet of flavors.

"Tvishi" is a semi-sweet white wine, light golden in color, unusually fresh in taste. It should be remembered that the semi-sweet wine "Tvishi" opens gradually, so you need to drink it slowly, enjoying every sip. Wine will give an unforgettable pleasure if it is cooled to 12 degrees.

Chkhaveri is a semi-sweet white wine with a delicate, slightly pinkish color. Exquisitely soft drink is drunk only chilled, giving a subtle and floral-honey aftertaste. White wine is made from berries of the same variety.

Red semi-sweet Georgian wines (vintage):

Khvanchkara is a red semi-sweet Georgian wine - the brightest and most ancient representative of Kakhetian wines. Color - juicy pomegranate with a purple tint. A multifaceted varietal bouquet beckons with tones of raspberry, velvety dark red rose and mountain violet. The velvety taste is unusually harmonious and rich, and the refined aftertaste is difficult to describe. in simple terms. The grape varieties used in the manufacture of Khvanchkara are Mudzheretuli and Aleksandrouli.

"Kindzmarauli" is a semi-sweet red wine with a thick dark pomegranate color that captivates fresh bouquet varietal tones, with hints of black currant and cherry pit. The taste is round, full and velvety. Made from Saperavi grapes. Pairs well with dessert or fruit.

Akhasheni is a semi-sweet wine with a deep pomegranate color. It contains a fragrant bouquet with a fresh melody of red berries, cherries and, at times, red currants. Spicy soft notes are slightly captured in a fresh and harmonious taste with bright varietal tones. The raw material used is Saperavi grapes.

Fortified Georgian wines (vintage):

Kardanakhi is a strong white wine (port) of a deep amber color. The taste is brightly felt tones of honey and freshly roasted bread toast. Wine made from Rkatsiteli grapes is aged in strong oak barrels outdoors for 3 years.

"Anacha" - white strong wine(Madeira), rich golden and dark amber color. Madera tones are pronounced in the taste and bouquet of the drink. The aftertaste is extractive and long. In the manufacture of Rkatsiteli - Kakhetian grapes. The aging period in oak barrels under the sun is 3 years.

Dessert Georgian wines (vintage):

"Saamo" - dessert white wine, different golden color And delicate aroma ripe quince with hints of slightly wilted tea rose. The taste is honey, oily, rich. The raw material is Rkatsiteli grapes.

Khikhvi is a dessert white wine with a dark amber color. Varietal aromas, with light nutmeg and honey notes, dominate the bouquet of the drink. On the palate, the wine is soft and buttery. Grapes are the same.

Salkhino is a blended liqueur red wine with a bright pomegranate color, shimmering with golden highlights. A rich bouquet contains strawberry-quince tones and, at times, creamy chocolate notes. The oily taste is unusually harmonious. Aged in barrels for 3 years. The source material is Isabella, Dzvelshavi and Tsolikouri grapes.

Which Georgian wine is better to choose?

The global wine market provides customers with a fairly wide choice. And yet, when going for a bottle of good Kakhetian wine, do not be tempted by a wide selection of supermarkets, but look into a specialized wine shop. A wine consultant will help you choose the right drink.

By the way, the Georgian people, choosing between white and red wine, often give preference to white wine. Most likely, this is due to the amount of alcohol in the drink. White wine is much easier to drink than red wine, and, accordingly, is much better suited for noisy and long feasts.

If you want to buy real Georgian wine, then pay attention to the products of the Mukhrani or Marani trademark - the best producers of true Georgian wine of their kind.