Many people appreciate white Georgian wine, the name of many brands is difficult to pronounce on a sober head. Today we will try to briefly outline this facet of the life of the Caucasus.
After all, according to researchers, the production of this drink of the gods here have been engaged for more than eight thousand years. This is confirmed by archaeological finds in the territory of Kakheti.
Proud Georgians say that they really feelthe taste of wine is only possible in his homeland. After all, only here are grown more than half a thousand varieties of grapevines, of which white, red, pink, dry, sweet and semisweet wines are produced.
It is noteworthy that most of the varieties of thisberries are autochthonous and clearly delineated by area. That is, if you want to try real semisweet Georgian wine, you will have to go to the area where this sort of grapes grows.
The founder of winemaking in the country isAlexander Chavchavadze, who at the end of the nineteenth century began to produce this drink. Therefore, some varieties of Kakhetian wines store technology centuries ago.
In particular, for this they are considered Europeantasters of rough and marginal varieties, because they have a very rich flavor and aroma. But this comparison is incorrect, since its roots grow from medieval traditions. Where else can you taste something similar to the drink you enjoyed in the era of late antiquity and the Middle Ages in the East.
Names white dry Georgian wines receiveusually in honor of the variety of grapes from which they are made, or the area of production. Let's look a little deeper in these areas of Georgian winemaking.
You will be surprised, but there is a science that studies varieties of grapes, as well as changing their properties under the influence of external factors. It is called ampelography.
So, judging by her directories, Georgia ishomeland of more than five hundred varieties of grapes (and in the world there are about four thousand). And many of them, due to the specifics of the national technology of distilling, practically did not go beyond the borders of the country.
So, white wines are made from such varieties as Goruli mtsvane, Mtsvane, Rkatsiteli, Tsolikauri and Tsitska.
For red wines, the most famous and popular is the grape variety of Saperavi, which means "dyer" from Georgian. Its name is due to a specific coloring property.
In principle, if the red grapes are separatedand in the production to use exclusively juice of berries, you will get both red and white wine. After all, the juice of most varieties of grapes does not have a pronounced color. But in the case of Saperavi this will not work. Only this variety manages to paint the drink with juice, it does not need a peel for it. But if you still add it, you get an incomparable shade of the product.
In addition to him, there are enough varieties such as Ojaleshi, Mujuretuli and Alexandrouli.
If we talk about the regions of winemaking, then four regions are particularly distinguished.
In Eastern Georgia, such is Kakheti. Fourteen microzones are allocated here, and this territory is considered the oldest place in the field of Caucasian winemaking.
The other three regions are Racha-Lechkhumi, Imereti and Kartli.
Next we will try to give a brief overview of the best Georgian wines.
It is considered the most acidic of all Georgian wines.But, despite this, "Tsinandali" is the pride of the Georgian winemakers. It is produced according to European or Imeretian technology. For final ripening it is aged in oak barrels for three years.
For this drink, grapes of such varieties as Mtsvane and Rkatsiteli are used. Vineyards are located in the Akhmeta, Telav and Kvareli districts.
The name of this wine was obtained from the name of the village, where in the distant nineteenth century Chavchavadze opened the first wine factory in Georgia.
This brand has long been known in the world market. During his existence he managed to get nine silver and ten gold medals.
Kakheti wine, which is produced byEuropean technology. If we talk about Georgian wine, white dry vintage wines usually have some unique individual feature. For example, this drink is expressed in a piquant bitterness. The latter does not spoil the taste, but shades it, giving this wine an unforgettable zest.
It is made from varieties of grapes Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane. Sighnaghi, Sagarejo and Gujaani - the names of the areas where the production of this wine is located.
This brand is one of the oldest in the country. It has been made since 1877. The period of aging of the drink in barrels is three years. His list of awards includes one bronze, one gold and nine silver medals.
The name of the white Georgian winebrand "Tsitska" is capable of causing a sweet sweetness in the mouth. And it is not surprising, because before the spill the drink is aged for six or seven years in barrels. And for brands of the highest quality can expect maturation up to twelve years.
During this time, the wine becomes incredibly fragrant, and its taste reveals unusual sweet notes, especially in the aftertaste.
It is produced according to Imereti technology from grapes with the same name. They have been making it since 1966 in such areas as Terjola, Zestafoni, Bagdati.
During the spill, it is passed through special filters to prevent contact of the liquid with air. That is, pouring the wine "Tsitska" in a glass, you seem to get it directly from the barrel.
The next name of white Georgian winecomes from a variety of grapes that grows in Western Georgia. It is noteworthy that this brand practically does not go beyond the borders of the country, but here it is valued highly enough.
You will be surprised, but in order for the wine to reveal all its shades, it lasts twenty years. Not surprisingly, the price is quite high.
Nevertheless, it was still presented at international exhibitions and received a silver medal.
The tasters say that the best representatives of this brand are distinguished by euphonious and delicate taste, as well as individual and easily recognizable aroma.
This white Georgian wine got its namefrom the fortress in Eastern Georgia, which was destroyed in the seventeenth century. Nevertheless, it can be found only in one area, where a special variety of grapes is grown - Mtsvane Kakheti.
Thus, "Bakhtrioni" is actually a symbol of his native Ahmet district.
Began to produce it in 1966.Despite the fact that it is the same age as many other Georgian wines, "Bakhtrioni" never found its niche outside of Georgia. All his fame is limited to several participation in international exhibitions and two gold medals.
It turns out that to enjoy a wonderful light straw drink with a light greenish tinge and a unique aftertaste, it is necessary to go on a tasting tour to Eastern Georgia.
Our next white Georgian wine namereceived from the neighborhood in Kakheti. Here it began to be produced back in 1948. Like other Kakhetian wines, "Tibaani" has a concentrated, very strong taste and aroma. This is due to the specific technology of cooking (in Kvevri), which we will talk about a little later.
Nevertheless, the drink was awarded five silver and two gold medals at international competitions.
The taste of this wine is velvety, a littleoily. There are notes of a withered tea rose, raisins and a specific varietal aroma. The color of "Tibaani" is quite dark: amber with a greenish tinge.
When they remember the white Georgian wine, the name "Kakheti" comes one of the first. And not only because it was called the ancient kingdom in the territory of Georgia.
After all, the technology of production of this particular wineIt is considered to be the oldest and is used only in this country. Wines created by these standards are considered rude and marginal, so many awards are not given at the exhibitions. However, the researchers note in them a high content of elements useful for health.
The "Kakheti" is produced as follows.The crushed grapes (mezgu) are put in special clay vessels buried in the ground. In Georgian they are called kvevri. There nectar wanders from three to four months at a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius.
During this time, it is saturated with extractives, which impart a greater astringency to the taste. The taste becomes stronger and more intense.
You can feel the notes of local fruits and herbs, as well as a refined aftertaste and a distinctive unique flavor.
The wine was awarded one bronze and one silver medal.
White Georgian wine "Twishi" without doubtis called the best representative of the line of semisweet wines. It has been produced since 1952 and for more than half a century it has been able to win the hearts of connoisseurs from many countries.
The grapes from which this drink is made are called Tsolikauri. It grows in the same area.
To date, this wine produces threedifferent plants. The best products are the products of Kakheti Teliani-Veli. In second place is the Rachin "Rachuli Gvino". Tbilisi wine factory closes the list.
For what did it receive at the competitions twosilver and one gold medal? Residents of the village of Tvishi say that this divine nectar is a gift from heaven, and without a doubt the best drink on earth. Many tasters also do not hide their enthusiasm. Brightly pronounced fruit notes of this wine are liked by almost everyone who tries it.
No wonder this land is sometimes called a tourist"Black and white Georgia." Georgian wine from Saperavi grapes is so full of color that it's just that his tongue will not turn red in red. The same variety has a multicolored palette of wines, from straw to almost black.
Today we will talk about white semisweet winethis brand of grapes Rkatsiteli. This drink has an amber color and a pronounced flavor. Refined connoisseurs of light wines can enjoy the "Alazani Valley" in full, because only this drink can be drunk as grape juice. And its action is comparable to light champagne.
Sommelier believes that this wine will be especially to the taste of the girls.
In this article, we are discussing Georgian wine.White semi-sweet wines are not very common in this country. "Tetra" is included in the top three brands, which produce exactly a white semisweet wine.
At home, the drink is considered sufficientexpensive, so it is not often found at the table. The name of this wine was obtained from the variety of the Rachuli-tetra grapes. The drink has been produced since 1945 and deservedly enters the top five.
At the international competitions this brand won two silver medals.
The shade of the drink is light straw, the taste is fruity with a pronounced aftertaste. Connoisseurs compare "Tetra" with the most harmonious melody.
When it comes to Georgian wines, the Georgianwinemaking (especially in the west of the country) is accused of a certain "wateriness". Therefore, the opinions of the tasters regarding the brand "Chhaveri" are slightly divided. Perhaps they just tried it from different manufacturers.
So, some say that because of the large numberexcess water in grapes this wine can not be much appreciated. Others (the international jury also refers here) respond favorably enough. It's not for nothing that this stamp received one gold, one bronze and four silver medals at the exhibitions.
By itself, the drink has a pleasant fruit taste and a light straw color with a slight impregnation of a pink hue. It is produced since 1934.
It is believed that this wine can only be drunk slowly, to enjoy all the notes of the melody.
When they say about the varieties of Georgian wines, white semisweet wines stand a little apart, because they are radically different from the others.
For example, the brand "Savane", which is very close totaste and production to the wine "Tsitska", has been produced for more than three decades. It is distinguished by a specific greenish shade, which is superimposed on the standard pale-straw color of local wine.
It is the grapevine of Tsitsk that permeates this drink and, by connecting with the energy of the Georgian sun, gives incomparable pleasure to all who decide to evaluate it.
So, dear friends, we walked throughon the bins of some wineries of Georgia. Acquainted with most of the brands of white wines, paying special attention to semisweet representatives of this kingdom.
Enjoy life and try to travel more often!
