We think everyone knows that Georgia is considered one of the founders of winemaking, as favorable environmental conditions and the work of local residents are the key to successful production of a drink. That is why winemaking is the hallmark of the region, allowing you to produce the best brands and offering expertly trained sommeliers as personnel.
The technique of making real wine is quite complicated and involves the use of high-quality wort, but not powder substitutes, which have become popular in recent years to reduce costs. This review is about natural wine from grapes, and not about a wine drink made from wine materials with the addition of flavor enhancers and fruit juice.
Let's figure out which 10 Georgian wines are considered the highest quality and most refined in terms of taste.
10. Kindzmarauli
The famous wine of Kakheti, which is made from the classic Saperavi variety. The output is a semi-sweet alcoholic drink with a dark garnet hue. The first samples were developed during the war years (1942), after which they were awarded three times with gold awards, four times with silver and bronze at international exhibitions. It is believed that Kindzmarauli goes well with grilled red meat and vegetables. The taste of the drink is soft and slightly velvety. By the way, even in Georgia itself, wine is scarce enough, therefore, buying a bottle cheaper than 700 rubles, you run the risk of stumbling a fake.
9. Tsinandali
Fine wine is a source of pride for Kakhetian craftsmen. An elite white drink has been bottled since 1886, and such varieties of fruits as Mtsvane and Rkatsiteli go into production. The output is a dense liquid with a golden hue and fruity taste. A sophisticated plume of table wine has already provided him with 10 gold medals and a little less silver. Experts advise Tsinandali as an aperitif that provides good appetite. According to them, table soft wine is suitable for low-fat meat and vegetable side dishes. The issue price is about 400 rubles per bottle.
8. Tbilisuri
This semi-dry wine is largely reminiscent of Tsinandali in production. The Kakheti variety Rkatsiteli, as well as the white grapes Mtsvane, are involved in the production. It also has a light straw shade at the exit, the aroma of grape fruit with a characteristic sweetness and conflicting acidity. Semi-dry white is also used as a light aperitif or ladies' drink. It is often offered for fish dishes, vegetable side dishes, as well as desserts.
7. Usahelauri
A semisweet product is obtained from a specially grown red fruit with the same name of the variety. Such grapes grow in the west of the country in the Tsager district. The resulting wine acquires a noble ruby hue, its taste is sweet and slightly velvety with an aftertaste of strawberries. Since 1934, Usakhelauri managed to pick up gold and silver from international wine-making festivals. Interestingly, the yield of the Usakhelauri variety rarely exceeds 3 tons per year - and this is a small indicator. That is why the cost of a bottle of red semisweet may exceed 3 thousand Russian rubles.
6. Mukuzani
Very high-quality elite wine, which is made from the classic dark red Saperavi grapes. The recipe was opened in 1888. The drink has a recognizable pomegranate hue, rich fruity aroma. The aftertaste of the drink with a train of wild berries is also interesting. The velvety wine for this bouquet is kept exclusively in oak barrels for at least 3 years. It is possible that the drink will acquire specific notes of oak bark in a general study. Dry red goes well with cold and hot meat snacks, hearty vegetable side dishes and cheese. The price for a bottle varies around 500 rubles.
5. Ahasheni
This semi-sweet table has a classic dark garnet color, but differs in a unique range of aromatic and taste properties with notes of chocolate. The same Saperavi variety, which is specially grown on plantations of the Gurjaan district, is used for the manufacture. It was first presented at the exhibition in 1958, after which it had already managed to receive the well-deserved six gold and five silver awards. Thanks to the chocolate aftertaste, it harmonizes with vegetable dishes, fruit slices, sweet desserts, homemade cakes and cheeses. By the way, the region has a monopoly on the production of this type of wine, so the distribution of the manufactory beyond the limits is punishable by law. The price of a bottle is from 500 to 700 rubles.
4. Ojaleshi
Classical semisweet, which is made from the same grape variety Odzhaleshi. The latter is grown in the Zager region of the country already mentioned above. The drink is characterized by a dark cherry color, a delicate bouquet with a classic finish of the fruit. Ojaleshi was first prepared from the specified grapes in 1933, after which the wine became a regular at regional and international exhibitions.
3. Saperavi
Few people have heard about the company ordinary wine produced from red Saperavi, which has been grown for centuries in the same Kakheti. The drink has a pronounced pomegranate color, a specific sour taste and characteristic astringency. Rumor has it that young unstable wine acquires a trail of the famous fermented milk drink yogurt in Georgia. Table wine has been produced since 1886 and has distinctive awards. Red wine is common in stores and is actively produced for export. It is served, as a rule, with fatty meat delicacies and fish dishes, spicy and spicy products. The price of a bottle is affordable, but in some places it can reach 700 rubles.
2. Gurjaani
One of the oldest recipes in Georgia, which dates back to 1877. White dry alcoholic beverage is infused in oak barrels in the old fashioned way for at least 3 years, as a result of which the drink acquires a characteristic bitterness in addition to the classic fruit flavor and aroma. Connoisseurs easily distinguish Gurjaani from other Georgian wines, assigning him mainly silver medals. The specified wine is considered one of the most affordable on the country's market - the cost per bottle ranges from 300-400 rubles.
1. Chavery
Our review concludes with an unusual semi-sweet pink, which is also produced from the same variety. Special grapes must be cultivated at an altitude of 0.3-0.6 km above sea level (mountainous territory of the Guria region). The alcoholic drink acquires a light ruby hue and a delicate aroma of berries with notes of black currant make the wine unique and refined. Combine it mainly with fruits, cheeses and sweet dishes. Chavery is recommended to drink slowly, enjoying the aftertaste. The price for a bottle reaches 700 rubles.
Our review article presents the top 10 products of Georgian winemakers. We remind you that, despite aromatic bouquets and a pleasant taste, the wine contains alcohols that are harmful to the body. Approach the selection of drinks wisely and with a sober head.