🇬🇪GEORGIA  

GEORGIA IS–   Regions– 18     Districts/ PDO.’s- 20     Grapes– 62?    @Tbilisi

  • WHITE= Rkatsiteli 45%, Tsolikouri 8%, Tsitska 4%, Abaajiche, Akhaltsikhuri Tetri, Arabeuli Tetri, Avasirkhva, Brola, Budeshuri Tetri, Buera, Chinuri, Chitiskvert Skhu Tetri, Chitistvala Tetri, Chvitluri, Dondghlabi Tetri, Goruli Mtsvane, Gorula, Kapistoni Tetri, Khikhvi, Kisi, Krakhuna, Kudza Tetri, Melikuda, Meskhuri Mtsvane, Mtsvane Kakhuri, Rachuli Tetra AKA=Albillo Krimskii, Qisi, Sakmiela, Tskhenis Dzudzu Tetri, Tsulukidzis Tetra, Udis Tetri
    • –International– Alilgote, Pinot Blanc
  • RED= Saperavi(T.) 6%, Aladasturi, Aleksandrouli, Amlakhu, Arabeuli Shavi, Arabeuli Tsiteli, Ashughaji, Asuretuli Shavi, Budeshuri Tsiteli, Chkhaveri(T.), Chumuta, Gianni, Danakharuli, Dzvelshavi Obchuri, Gabekhuauri Shavi, Izabella, Jani, Jgia, Kachtichi, Kapnis Kurdzeni, Kharistvala Shavi, Kolkhuri, Kapistoni Shavi, Meskhuri Shavi, Meskhuri Kharist Vala, Mtevandidi, Mujuretuli, Ojaleshi, Otskhanuri Sapere, Paneshi, Satsuravi, Shavkapito, Skhilatubani, Tamaris Vazi, Tavkveri, Tskenis Dzua Shavi, Usakhelouri, Zabalkanskii
    • –International– Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

GEOGRAPHY– The Caucasus, COUNTY-Georgia,  LATITUDE: 42.3° ‘N‘

  • BORDERS-Russia(North), Turkey(South-West), Armenia(South), Azerbaijan(South-East)
  • BETWEEN-On~Black~Sea~(West), On~Caspian~Sea~(East)
  • REGIONS– Black Sea Coast (Abkhazia, Ajara, Guria, Samegrelo)
    • Central Georgia (Imereti, Lechkhumi, Meskheti, Racha, Samtskhe, Shida Kartli, Tskhinvali)
    • Eastern Georgia (Kakheti)

TOPOGRAPHY– FEATURES- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly/ Valley/ Gorge”

  • SLOPES/ Greater Caucasus Mountain Range(North)
    • Lesser Caucasus Mountain Range(South)
    • Likhi Mountain Range (Divides Georgia Between East & West)
  • PLATEAU/ Southern Caucasus,  LOWLAND/ Kolkhida

SOILS– “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Calcareous

  • **Refer to “TERROIR/ Geology & Soil” For Detailed Information On Soils.

CLIMATE– “Continental”

  • West– Influence by OCEAN EFFECT/ Black Sea   |    East– Influenced by +WINDS/~Asian~

VITICULTURE–  55,000 ha. Planted,  (White 60%/ Red 40%)

  • #     In Grape Production & #     In Wine Consumption In World
  • Kvevri- @Georgia, Earth-Ware 1,000L– 3000L. For Fermentation or Storage
    • **Refer to “CONTAINERS/ Earthware” For Detailed Information On Kvevri.
  • Satsnakheli- Ancient Grape Presses Hollowed Out of Rock and Still Used Today.
  • ACADEMICS~ ~Saguramo Scientific Research Center~
    • Specialization~ Researching and Identifying Indigenous Meskhetian Grapes Varieties.
  • ASSOCIATIONS~ ~Georgia National Wine Agency~
    • Mission~ Control and Certification of Wine Production Quality. Promote and Progress of Awareness, Growth of Export Potential.
  • CONTENTIOUS WINE ISSUE! “The Wine World Accepts That There’s 525 Indigenous Grape Varieties In Georgia, But as of 2020 I Can Only Find, Demystify and Classify 60. There is Not 525 Varieties!”
    • “If Myself or Some Organization Can’t Come Up With a Definitive List of All the Worlds Grape I Will Use My Estimation of Around 100.”

VINICULTURE– SPARKLING…Method…Traditional

  • Orange Wine- Historic and Cultural Roots In Macerating White Grapes For Orange Wine.
    • White Grapes Macerated For Extended Time With Skins, Seeds and Stems In Qvevri Coated With Beeswax and Buried Below Ground. Kvevri Allow Slow Oxygenation of Wine, Yielding Deeply Colored Red/ Orange-Hued White Wines With Complexed Flavors and Tannins.
    • **Refer to “WINE STYLES/ Orange Wines” For Detailed Information On Orange Wine.
  • Pirosmani- +BLEND/ Tsolikauri(40%), Tsolikauri(60%)
  • Fortified-
    • Anaga– GRAPE/ Rkatsiteli
    • Kardanakhi– GRAPE/ Khikhvi, Mtsvane, Rkatsiteli
    • Kolkheti– GRAPE/ Tsolikauri, Tsitska
    • Lelo– GRAPE/ Tsitska, Tsolikauri
    • Marabda– GRAPE/ Rkatsiteli
    • Sighnaghi– GRAPE/ Rkatsiteli
    • Taribana– GRAPE/ Rkatsiteli
    • Veria– GRAPE/ Chinuri, Mtsvane, Rkatsiteli

HISTORY– 8,000 Year Wine History

  • 6000 BC. @Georgia– Tradition of Wine Making Dates Back 8,000 Years Ago.
    • Egypt, Greece and Roman Viticulture All Give Respect to What Started In Georgia.
  • 5,800 BC. – 6,000 BC. @Georgia– Shulaveri-Shomnu Was First Culture to Produce Wine.
    • In a Stone-Aged Settlement In Kakheti, Called Gadachrili Gora, Archeologists Unearthed the Oldest Evidence of Winemaking  In the World.  DNA. Testing Dated the Residues Found In Pottery Dating Back 7,000 Years.
  • Often Referred to as “Russian Georgia” or “Soviet Georgia”, Georgia’s Domination by Russian Has Only Been For the Past 200 Years.  The Land Know as Modern Day Georgia Has Been Overrun and Ruled by: Assyrians, Greek, Persians, Romans Monglols and Recently Bolsheviks and Russians.
  • 1991 @Russia/ Georgia– Break-Up of the Sovietologist Union/ USSR.
  • 1997 @Georgia– Start of Georgia PDO. Appellation Sytem.
  • 2013 @Russia/ Georgia– Lift of the Embargo On Georgian Wines.

CULTURE–

  • UNESCO. WORLD HERITAGE SIGHT~  ~Qvevri Winemaking~ (Cultural)
  • ASSOCIATIONS~ ~Georgia Wine Association~
  • FESTIVALS~ ~Winexpo Georgia~ (June)

GEORGIA WINE LAW

  • GOVERNING BODY-
  • LAWS GOVERNING- Geographic Boundaries Varietals
    • Label Requirement-
      • +AGED/ Yield/ Hectare

Black Sea Coast

  • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia(West), REGIONS-Abkhazia, Ajara, Guria, Samegrelo
    • On~Coast/ Black~Sea~
    • BORDERS-West-Central Georgia ‘Region'(East)

ABKHAZIA–Region     @Sukhumi

  • WHITE= Avasirkhva
  • RED= Kachichi
  • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia(North-West), REGION-Black Sea Coast(North)
    • BORDERS-Samegrelo(South)
    • DISTRICTS-Gagra, Gali, Gudauta, Gulripshi, Ocharnchira, Sukhumi, Tkvar-Cheli
  • TOPOGRAPHY-“Flate/ Rolling”, On~Coast/ Black~Sea~
  • CLIMATE- “Continental”
  • VITICULTURE-   ?  ha. Planted
    • Estate/ Producers-
  • VINICULTURE- Anakopia– Off-Dry, GRAPE/ Tsolikauri
  • GAGRA–District–
  • GALI–District–
  • GUDAUTA–District–
  • GULRIPSHI–District–
  • OCHARNCHIRA–District–
  • SUKHUMI–District–
  • TKVAR-CHELI–District–

SAMEGRELO–Region     @Zugdid

  • WHITE= Chvitluri, Krakhuna, Tsolikauri, Tsitska
  • RED= Chkhaveri, Dzvelshava, Ojaleshi, Osakhelauri
  • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia(West), REGION-Black Sea Coast(Central)
    • BORDERS-Abkhazia(North), Guria(South)
    • CITIES– Abasha, Jvari, Khobi, Poti, Senald, Zugdidi,
    • ZUBI-OKURESHI–Distrcit
    • MAYAKOVSKI–District
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling”, On~Coast/ Black~Sea~
  • CLIMATE- “Continental”
  • VITICULTURE-   ?  ha. Planted
    • Estate/ Producers-
  • VINICULTURE-
    • Gelati– Dry/ +BLEND/ Tsolikauri, Tsitska, Krakhuna
    • Odzhaleshi– Semi-Sweet, GRAPE/ Ojaleshi

GURIA–Region      @

  • WHITE= Tsolikouri
  • RED= Aladasturi, Chikhaveri
  • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia(West), , REGION-Black Sea Coast(South)
    • BORDERS-Samegrelo(North), Ajara(South-West)
    • CITIES– Kveda Nasakiral, Naruja, Ozurgeti
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling”, On~Coast/ Black~Sea~
  • CLIMATE- “Continental”
  • VITICULTURE-  ?   ha. Planted
    • Estate/ Producers-

ADJARA–Region     @Batumi

  • WHITE= ?
  • RED= Chkhaveri, Satsuravi
  • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia(South-West), REGION-Black Sea Coast(South)
    • BORDERS-Guria(North)
    • CITIES- Batumi, Chakvi, Keda, Khulo, Kobuleti, Makhlnjauri, Shuakhevi
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flate/ Rolling”, On~Coast/ Black~Sea~
  • CLIMATE- “Continental”
  • VITICULTURE-  ?   ha. Planted
    • Estate/ Producers-

Central Georgia

  • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia(West-Central), BORDERS-Black Sea Coast“Region”(West)
    • REGIONS– Imereti, Lechkhumi, Meskheti, Racha

LECHKHUMI–Region      @

  • WHITE= Tsolikouri
  • RED= Ojaleshi, Usakhelouri
  • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia(North-Central), REGION-Central Georgia
    • TVISHI–District(Laps)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling”, On~Rioni~River~
  • CLIMATE- “Continental”
  • VITICULTURE-   ?  ha. Planted
  • VINICULTURE- Tvishi– Semi-Sweet, GRAPE/ Tsolikauri
    • Estate/ Producers-

RACHA–Region     @Ambrolauri

  • WHITE= Alexandria, Mudzhuretuli
  • RED= Aleksandrouli, Mujuretuli
  • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia(North-Central), REGION-Central Georgia
    • BORDERS-Imereti(South)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”
  • CLIMATE- “Continental”
  • VITICULTURE-   ?  ha. Planted
  • VINICULTURE- Khvanchkara– Semi-Sweet, GRAPES/ Alexandria & Mudzhuretuli
    •  Estate/ Producers- Marani
  • CULTURE- AKA=Racha-Lechkhumi Kvemo Svaneti
  • TVISHI–District(Laps)
  • KHVANCHKARA–PDO.
    • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia, REGION-Racha(South-Interior), MANICIPALITY-Ambrolauri
      • VILLAGES–
    • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling”, SLOPES/ , +Alt. ? mt.

IMERETI–Region     @Zestaponi

  • WHITE= Kisi, Krakhuna, Rkatsiteli, Saperavi, Tsitska, Tsolikouri
  • RED= Dzvelshavi, Obchuri, Ostkhanuri Sapere, Saperavi
  • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia(West-Interior), REGION-Central Georgia
    • BORDERS-Racha(North), Meskheti(South)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling”, On~Rioni~River~
  • SOILS- Carbonated Humus, Sand, Clay
  • CLIMATE- “Continental”, Humid, Wet, Hot
  • VITICULTURE-  ?    ha. Planted
    • Estate/ Producers- Amiran’s, Archil Guniava, Baia’s Wine(6ha.), Maranuli, Nikoladzeebis Marani, Vartsikhe Marani
  • VINICULTURE- Dimi– +BLEND/ Tsolikauri, Krakhuna
  • SVIRI–PDO.       @Sviri
    • WHITE= Krakuna, Otskhanuri Sapere, Tsitska, Tsolikouri
    • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia, REGION-Imereti(Central-Interior
      • VILLAGES-Meore, Pirveli, Rodinauli, Sviri
    • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling”, On~Kvirila~River~Tributary~Rioni~River~
    • VITICULTURE- 2,700 ha./ ? ha. Planted,   Blend
      • Estate/ Producers- Khareba, Imeretian Wine Company

MTSKHETI–Region     @Akhaltsikhe, Borjomi

  • WHITE=   |
  • RED= Meskhuri Shavi
  • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia(South-Central), BORDERS-Imereti(North)
    • VILLAGES-Chachkari(Historical Village Which Was Once a Main Center of Viticulture. Now a Historic and Cultural Monument.)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Terraced”
  • CLIMATE- “Continental”
  • VITICULTURE-   ?  ha. Planted
    • Estate/ Producers- Natenadze
  • CULTURE-
    • “Monks & Monasteries”  ~Vardzia Cave Monastery~
    • PIONEERS~ ~Giorgi Natenadze~ His Team Rehabilitated and Restored Ancient Vine Terraces From the 1500’s.

SAMTSKHE JAVAKHETI–Region     @

  • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia, REGION-Meskheti
    • Sub-Zones- VARDZIA TERRACES–

TSKHINVALI–Region   AKA=South Ossetia  @Tskhinvali 

  • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia, REGION-Central Georgia
    • BORDERS-Shida Karli(South)

Eastern Georgia

  • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia(Eastern), REGIONS– Kakheti, Kartli

KARTLI–Region     @Tbilisi

  • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia, REGION-Eastern Georgia
    • Estate/ Producers- Tevza
  • SUB-ZONES KARTLI
    • KVEMO–District
    • SHUA–District
    • ZEMO–District

KAKHETI–Region     @Tsinandali

  • WHITE= Chinuri, Kakhuri, Kisi, Khikhvi, Mtsvane Kakhuri, Rkatsiteli, Tetri Chitisvala
  • RED= Jgia, Saperavi, Takveri
    • –International– Cabernet Sauvignon
  • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia(South-East), REGION-Eastern Georgia
    • BORDERS-Kvemo Kartli(East), Azerbaijan(South)
    • MUNICIPALITIES-Gurjaani, Kvareli, Sagarejo
    • CITIES-Sighnagul, Telavi
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling”, SLOPES/ Tsiv-Gombori Range, +Alt. 400mt.-500mt.
    • On~Alazani~River~
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Cinnamonic, Alluvial Loam, Clay
  • CLIMATE- “Continental”,  *Summers– Hot, Dry
  • VITICULTURE-   ?  ha. Planted, Produces 70% of Georgian Wine
    • Estate/ Producers- Alaverdi Monastery, Askaneli, Badagoni, Batono, Casreli, Chubini Wine, Dakishvili/ Vita Vinea, Danieli, Dakishvili, Dila-O, Do Re Mi, Georgian Legend, Georgina Wine(Co.-Op.)Havlabari, Kakhetian Royal, Lapati, Maranuli, Matrobela, Mukuzani, Nekresi, Niki Antadze, Okro’s Wines, Orgo, Ori Marani, Otia, Our Wine, Papari Valley, Pheasant’s Tears(Nat.Pro.), Rosha, Satrapezo, Schuchmann, Shilda, Tbilvino, Tchotiashvili(4.5ha.), Telavi, Teliani Valley, Tsikhelishvili(2.5ha.), Vinoterra, Wine Thieves, Vinoterra, Zurab Topuridze
    • Vineyards- Akhasheni, Asureti, Kardanakhi
  • VINICULTURE- Still,  Blends,  Orange
    • Kakhetian Style– +AGED/ 6mo./ On Skins & Stems In Qvevi, +AGED/ 3 yr.-4 yr. In Bottle
    • Mukuzani– Dry, GRAPE/ Saperavi
    • Tsinandali– +BLEND/ Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane
    • Saamo– Sweet, GRAPE/ Rkatsiteli
  • SUB-ZONES NORTH Of ALAZANI RIVER
  • NAPARULI–PDO.     @
    • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia, REGION-Kakheti
    • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling”, On~Alazani-River~(North)
  • KINDZMARAULI–PDO.     @
    • RED= Saperavi
    • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia, REGION-Kakheti, MANICIPALITY-Kvareli
      • VILLAGES– Almati, Akhatsopeli, Chikaani, Chantnskuri, Gremi, Kuchatani, Sanavardo, Shilda, Zinobiani
    • TOPOGRAPHY– “Rolling”, SLOPES/ Greater Caucasus Mountains(South), +Alt. 350mt.- 550mt.
      • On~Avaniskhevi/ Bursa/ Chilti~Duruji/ Intsobo/ Sharaokhevi~Rivers~Tributaries~Alazani~River~(North)
    • VINICULTURE- Semi-Sweet
  • KVARELI–PDO.
    • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia, REGION-Kakheti(North-West-Interior), MANICIPALITY-Kvareli
      • VILLAGES-Akhalsopeli, Chikaani, Kuchatani, Utisdzire, Gavazi
    • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling”, SLOPES/ Greater Caucasus Mountains, +Alt. 450mt.
      • On~Bursa/ Alazani~Rivers~
    • VINICULTURE- Kindzmarauli– Semi-Sweet, GRAPE/ Saperavi
  • SUB-ZONES SOUTH Of ALAZANI RIVER
  • TSANANDALI–PDO.     @Telavi
    • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia, REGION-Kakheti
    • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling”, On~Alazani-River~(South)
      • Estate/ Producers- Chona’s Marani(2ha.), Shumi(Sparkling)
  • TEJIANI–PDO.     @
    • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia, REGION-Kakheti
    • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling”, On~Alazani-River~(South)
      • Estate/ Producers- Teliani Valley
  • VAZISUBANI–PDO.     @Vazisubani
    • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia, REGION-Kakheti
    • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling”, On~Alazani-River~(South)
  • MUKUZANI–PDO.     @Mukuzani
    • RED= Saperavi
    • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia, REGION-Kakheti, MANICIPALITY-Gurjaani
      • VILLAGES-Chumlaki, Mukuzani, Velistsikhe, Zegaani
    • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling”, SLOPES/ ?, +Alt. 350mt.-750mt., On~Alazani-River~(South)
  • AKHASHENI–PDO.     @
    • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia, REGION-Kakheti
    • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling”, On~Alazani-River~(South)
  • KOTEKHI–PDO.     @
    • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia, REGION-Kakheti
    • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling”, On~Alazani-River~(South)
  • GURJAANI–PDO.     @Gurjaani
    • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia, REGION-Kakheti
    • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling”, On~Alazani-River~(South)
    • VITICULTURE- Akhasheni– Semi-Sweet, GRAPE/ Saperavi
      • Estate/ Producers- Iberieli Zurab
  • KARDANAKHI–PDO.     @
    • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia, REGION-Kakheti
    • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling”, On~Alazani-River~(South)
  • SUB-ZONES Of KARTLI
    • ALAVANI VALLEY–District
    • TELAVI–District
    • ALMETA–District
  • MANAVI–PDO.     @
    • WHITE= Mtsvane Kakhuri, Rkatsiteli
    • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia, REGION-Kakheti, MANICIPALITY-Sagarejo
      • VILLAGES-Antoki, Burdiani, Didi, Giogitsminda, Manavi, Tokhilavri
    • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling”, SLOPES/ Tsiv Gambovi, Mountain Range, +Alt. 450mt.-800mt.
  • TIBAANI–PDO.     @
    • WHITE= Mtsvane Kakhuri, Rkatsiteli
    • GEOGRAPHY- Georgia, REGION-Kakheti

**Refer to “BIBLIOGRAPHY/ Sources” For Details On Scholarly Works Referenced.