Georgian Wine: 5 Fast-Facts you Need to Know

It’s hard to believe it’s been an entire month since my glorious trip to Georgia. Yes, I’m talking about the country, folks. To be honest, Georgia has always been one of those places that really intrigued me as a traveler and yet, up until earlier this fall, I had no set plans to visit. Now that I’ve been, however, I can’t imagine NOT going. Every day was an opportunity to meet new people, gaze upon century old buildings and churches and best of all, literally drink my way through Georgia.

Despite being a small nation—there are about 4.5 million inhabitants—Georgia has no shortage of lush landscapes, jaw-dropping views and delicious cuisine. What impressed me most, however, was the wine. Not only does it taste like no wine you’ve ever tried before, but there’s such love that goes into every bottle. Fellow foodies take note!

Here are 5 must-know fast facts about Georgian wine.

travel guide to Georgia

1) Georgia is called the “Cradle of Wine”

Let’s start with the basics. Kakheti, Georgia’s main wine-producing region, is called the “Cradle of Wine,” because the locals have been producing wine for 8,000 years. Yep, that’s right; For more than 8,000 years, the Georgian people have been growing vines on the slopes of the Caucasus Mountains. Then, at one point, they began exporting their wines, including the technology for making them, to the Ancient Greeks. Most recently, UNESCO recognized traditional Georgian wine making on its list of the intangible heritage of humanity. That’s no easy feat!

Georgian Wine: 5 Fast-Facts you Need to Know

2) Many wineries are still family-run

With a history of more than 8,000 years, it probably comes as no surprise that many of Georgia’s wineries are family-run, with many companies being passed down from generation to generation. One of my favorite visits was to Tsinandali, an estate and winery while once belonged to the 19th century poet Alexander Chavchavadze and his family. Nowadays, it’s still family-run and the owners have turned the gorgeous estate into a museum of sorts, with informal stations on how to make bread and other traditional treats. So, make a point to chat with the owners; it’s one way to brush up on Georgian history.

where to go wine tasting in Georgia

3) The tarter the wine, the healthier it is

It’s true! Georgian wine is a tad healthier than your every-day wine. In short, the tarter the wine, the healthier it is, so go ahead and pour another glass. 🙂  You might also notice that many Georgian wines are amber in color. For example, the Khikhvi vintage white dessert wine as well as the Kakheti and Gareji varietals are amber. Tartness aside, since Georgian wines don’t require the addition of sulfites (more on that later), the process is completely natural. While I’m not opposed to wine made using modern advances, I do prefer Georgia’s organic approach.

where to find the best wine in Georgia

4) Qvevri-making is a serious skill

If you take a peek at the image below, you’ll see a larger-than-life replica of a qvervi. While the qvervis used in wine-making are considerably smaller in size, it’s still a good reference point. These egg-shaped clay vessels have been used in Georgia for winemaking for at least 8,000 years. Why you ask? Well, for one thing, the unique shape ensures that sediment naturally sinks to the bottom during the fermentation process, meaning that there’s no need for sulfites. The wine will mature in the qvevri for up to six months, at which time the clear wine is ready to be bottled.

qvevri wines
Image: Sophie Ibbotson

5) Come tasting time, think outside of the “bottle”

Don’t limit your Georgian wine tastings to wineries and vineyards. There are several monasteries that produce wines, too and if you make an appointment ahead of time, you can pay a visit. After all, Georgian monasteries were responsible for creating and protecting vast libraries of books about indigenous grape varieties, the terroir, and wine making methods, and it is thanks to their collective diligence we know so much about Georgian wine traditions today. The medieval Shavnabada Monastery is a good starting point, as it’s not too far from Tbilisi’s Old Town.

Georgia's wine route
Image: Sophie Ibbotson

Have you been to Georgia? Tell me in the comments below!

This post is in collaboration with Maximum Exposure and the Georgian Tourism Board. All opinions are my own. 

Like me on Facebook and Tweet me: @BohemianTrails.

Sign up for my free monthly BOHO BLAST!

Hi! I’m Megan,

a Scorpio sun and Libra moon who left her job in the music industry to travel and write full-time. Since then, i´ve explored more than 60 countries in the hopes that you will, too.

The world is made of magic and so are you!

RECENT POSTS

Exploring Sicily’s Food and Wine Scene with WalkingWomen

As someone who used to travel full-time, a lot has changed for me in the past few years. Pandemic aside, I’ve been more intentional about where, and how often, I travel. A big part of that has to do with finding beauty in what I used to view as mundane; things like a morning routine

Read More »

Here’s Why Vacation Ownership With Hilton Grand Vacations is the Travel Solution You Need

We’ve all stayed at a Hilton hotel at one point or another and, if you have not, you are at least familiar with the brand. The Hilton name has been around for more than 100 years and to date, there are more than 6,300 properties and resorts within the Hilton portfolio of brands.   One of these brands is Hilton Grand Vacations. Unlike a traditional fixed–week timeshare program, HGV

Read More »
top reasons to visit Kerala in 2020

Here’s Why I Want to Visit Kerala (and you should, too)!

Every so often, I write about a destination I haven’t been to. As much as I love recounting trips and sharing my experiences here on Bohemian Trails, I also love to dream; dream about people and places I’ve never crossed paths with. That’s the traveler in me, the explorer that believes in the magic of

Read More »

My Favorite Caribbean Islands to Escape to This Winter

Winter is in full swing, which means that there’s still time to plan that weekend getaway. An east-coaster from birth and having lived in New York for seven years, the Caribbean remains my go-to winter destination. In many cases, you’ll find direct flights (or nearly direct) and within a few hours, you are on a

Read More »

Reflections on the Lake: Join us in Guatemala this New Years!

Pack your bags, notepads and Yoga mats. We’re going to Guatemala! I am thrilled to announce that I’ll be co-leading another writing + wellness + wanderlust retreat over New Years! Mark your calendars for December 29-January 3. My co-leader, Heather Suzanne, is not only one of my favorite Yoga teachers I’ve had the pleasure of

Read More »

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. More information

Use of cookies

This website is using cookies for improving your experience as a user. If you keep on navigating you are giving your consent to the use of these cookies and our cookies policy. Click on the COOKIES POLICY, the link for more information. You can also check our PRIVACY POLICY.

Close