Georgia (the Eurasian nation, not the American state) is one of the oldest wine-producing countries in the world. The main wine varieties favored in Georgia are the red Saperavi and the white Rkatsiteli.
These are the classic varieties of the former Soviet republics, from Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan to Moldova">Moldova and Ukraine. A number of other long-established varieties are widely grown in the country.
Of these, red wine grapes are by far the most common, including Alexandrouli, Aladasturi, Keduretuli, Ojaleshi and Usakhelauri. Their white counterparts are led by Chinuri and Mtsvani, in the Goruli and Kakhuri variants.
The country is also strongly associated with the continuation of ancient winemaking techniques. This includes the use of clay vessels called qvevri (or kvevri) for Fermentation and storage.
Similar to ancient amphorae, they are buried in the ground outside, or built into the floor of a Cellar to ensure temperature Consistency. Winemakers in the United States, Australia and elsewhere have also begun importing and using them.
Archaeological evidence suggests that early wine production began 6,000 to 8,000 years ago in the Russia/kavkaz">Caucasus region. This region includes Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and eastern Turkey.
A very old variety grown most often in Kakhetia (Georgia). It can also be found in Moldavia, Ukraine, Dagestan, Central Asia... almost unknown in France.
white wines from the region of Georgia go well with generally quite well with dishes of rich fish (salmon, tuna etc), shellfish or vegetarian such as recipes of smoked salmon omelette, shrimp in red sauce or quiche without pastry.
On the nose in the region of Georgia often reveals types of flavors of orange, honey or earth and sometimes also flavors of tree fruit, citrus fruit or peach.
