The history of Georgian wine goes back at least 8000 years. French, hats off, Georgia is part of the oldest wine-producing area in the world!

It is still disputed today who, Georgia, Armenia or Azerbaijan was the first to produce this divine nectar. Indeed, the borders have changed a lot since the Neolithic period. But science has spoken, it is here that we find the oldest evidence of winemaking in the world. Indeed, in 2018, a jar was found in present-day Georgia and the vintage is no less than 8,000 years old. 

For Georgians, wine is a national pride, the message is clear as soon as you set foot in the capital. Mother Georgia, who is majestically enthroned in Tbilisi, holds in her left hand a cup and in her right hand a sword. Understand the message: we welcome our friends with a cup of wine and our enemies with the sword. It couldn’t be clearer: In Georgia, people like to drink but only with friends!

Georgian wines have very different aromas from French wines! They are cloudy, strong, often sweet

Vinified according to ancestral methods, the whole bunches are crushed and then poured into large terracotta or stone vessels which are closed, buried and covered with earth during the winter. This method does not make it possible to control the vinification process as in France. This gives sometimes surprising tastes, with a lot of tannins due to the maceration of the juice with the grape skins. Often sweet, thick, they are everything… except light.
The country has hundreds of grape varieties, all ending in i, including Rkatsiteli, Sapéravi, Mtsvane, Khikhvi, Kisi, etc.

In Georgia you will also find imported varieties such as Pinot or Cabernet Sauvignon

Georgians are very hospitable. They are always happy and above all it is their duty to welcome the curious traveller with a snack or a drink. A glass of wine is therefore often a must.
Georgians often make their own wine, 100% home-made, it’s an adventurous tasting! Straight out of a plastic can, more cloudy than a broth, thick as orange juice, sweet and often “green”, it is a welcome glass that should not end in a wince, your host would take offence. So make a little effort and congratulate the winemaker! 

Even if I pass myself off as a hypocrite, I have no shame in lying: the glass that is generously handed to me can only be divine, it has a taste of generosity and fraternity.