KAKHETIAN TRADITIONAL WINEMAKING
Wine in Clay
Marani
In Georgia wine is made in marani (wine cellar). Marani is the whole institution with the qvevri, buried in the ground, winepress for crashing grapes, a number of appliances for taking care of wine, for washing the qvevri, for taking out wine etc. The wine-cellar is usually placed on the ground floor, built near the dwelling house or somewhere near the vineyard. In Western Georgia, marani is sometimes built on a high place under a tree in the yard. Marani may have a fireplace and tables as winemakers taste wine all through the winemaking process. Grapes are crashed in the boat-shaped wine-press, made of stone or wood. The winemaker used to get into the wine-press and crash grapes with his feet. This process was usually accompanied with songs and exclamations of encouragement. At present the tradition of winemaking of this kind is not much observed, but it can be seen at wine festivals and theatrical shows. Clay qvevri is used to make and hold wine. It is made of clay which undergoes a special treatment. The qvevri is buried in the ground in order to maintain stable temperature. It is then firmly closed, with the grape juice inside, until it finally turns into wine. The qvevri is uncovered for mixing juice and removing Chacha. Old winemakers also used special leather sacks – 'Tiki' and 'Rumbi' to hold wine and transport it. During some archeological excavations qvevris were discovered in ancient layers. There was also a tradition of donating clay qvevris to churches.
Supra
A “Supra” is a Georgian, traditional, festive table and a significant part of Georgia's social culture. There are two types of Supra: a festive Supra, called “Keipi” and a mournful one, called “Kelekhi,” usually held after funerals. “Supra” in Georgian means “Table-cloth.” It also means the whole ceremony of preparation for laying a festive table. The hostess usually lays the table and the members of her family and relatives help her. The host invites the guests to the table and first of all they elect the tamada- the toast master or the host may appoint the most experienced person to be the tamada. Being the tamada is a kind of art in Georgia and an inexperienced person might not cope with it. The tamada proposes toasts, supervises the procedure of the feast, chooses various wine glasses and even manages the order of bringing in the dishes. The proposed toasts are followed with singing, dancing, telling jokes and the process becomes a pleasant celebration. The first toast in Georgia is proposed to glorify God. The others that follow it depend on the tamada's skillfulness. It is also necessary to propose toasts to every participant individually or in groups. The last toast “Kovlad Cminda” is proposed to the host's family and St Mary, who has been considered to be the protector of Georgia for centuries. Foreign guests have often been charmed by the Georgian Supra, because the process of drinking is well organized and turns it into an enjoyable ritual.
Climat of Georgia
Adjara Subtropic
Svaneti Alps
Borjomi resort
Gareji Desert
Despite the country's size, the climate of Georgia is extremely diverse. There are two main climate Zones, separating Eastern and Western parts of the country. The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range plays an important part in moderating Georgia's climate, protecting it from the penetration of cold air masses from the North. The Lesser Caucasus Mountains partially protects the region from the influence of the dry and hot masses from the South. The greater part of Western Georgia lies in the humid subtropical zone. The climate of the region varies. The lowland areas of Western Georgia are relatively warm throughout the year, while the foothills and mountainous areas, both the Greater and Lesser Caucasus Mountains experience cool, humid summers and snowy winters. Eastern Georgia has a transitional climate, varying from humid subtropical to continental. The region's weather patterns are influenced both by dry, Central Asian- Caspian air masses from the East and humid, the Black Sea air masses from the West. The penetration of humid air masses from the Black Sea region is often blocked by several mountain chains of Likhi and Meskheti, which separate the eastern and western parts of the country. East Georgia's dry, sunny days greatly contribute to grape ripening and glucose increase, due to which excellent wines are made. Therefore the whole of Kakheti is called the wine cellar.
VESSEL:
WINE:
“Doki” “Saperavi” Saperavi 100%
TYPE:
Red dry COUNTRY:
Georgia SUB-REGION:
Kakheti, ALCOHOL: CAPACITY:
11,5% 1 Litre
Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking
GRAPE VARIETY:
Georgia's soil, particularly the damp lands of Western Georgia create favorable conditions for processing clay. The observant Georgian man started making various crockery items in ancient time. In VIIIVI centuries BC first the Greeks' and later the Roman invasion in Kolkheti, introduced the culture of glazed crockery. During archeological excavations a lot of pieces of clay crockery were discovered in sepulchers. The majority of them are real pieces of art. Beginning with ancient time, huge clay vessels – Qvevris were made, specially meant to keep wine in them. The capacity of some of them reached 3 tons. The qvevri is received as a result of special processing of clay. Various pieces of crockery are also made for keeping liquid in them. They are bowls, “chincilas” and the most widely spread is the “Doqi”. The doqi preserves the temperature of liquid. There exist double walled doqis with the properties of a thermos. A high culture of ornamenting the doqi has been preserved in Georgia. The presented “ Doqi” is custom-made and specially designed by the order of the company KTW. It holds a high quality wine “Saperavi”, which preserves the flavor of grapes and delicious taste for a long time Help yourself to it! Enjoy it!
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VESSELl:
“Rtveli” WINE:
GRAPE VARIETY:
Saperavi 70% Mtsvane 30% TYPE:
Red semi-sweet COUNTRY:
Georgia REGION:
Kakheti ALCOHOL: 11,5% CAPACITY:
0,75 litre
Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking
“Alazani valley”
Grape-picking in Georgia is called 'Rtveli” –vintage. As a rule vintage starts at the end of September and lasts for about two weeks. In Georgia vintage is a labor feast, for which the population makes special preparations. Grape picking starts early in the morning and it lasts till late evening. The event is accompanied by special folk songs, dedicated to this process. The collected grapes are placed in woven baskets of special design, called “Godori”. As a rule, vintage enjoys abundance of people – neighbors, relatives and guests, participating in this activity. At the end of the working day, all the people gather at tables to celebrate the festive event. Rtveli in the fall is marked with a great celebration. All through the year a farmer takes care of the vine like his own child in order to place and store its juice in the fall. The end of the Rtveli is a kind of relaxation for a Georgian farmer and the period of rather a quiet, relaxed and generous hospitality starts. Every fall wine festival is held in Georgia as soon as the vintage is over. Guests are treated to wine and freshly cooked dishes. One can taste a farmer's wine, which is made by applying Georgian technology, as well as the bottled wine, made according to the European standards. Besides, one can enjoy concerts of song and dance ensembles and a variety of theatrical performances on the venue. The trade exhibition of hand –crafted goods is also held here. Farmers offer their family wine to the guests, while companies treat them to their production.
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VESSEL:
“Ornamentiani” WINE:
“Khvanchkara” GRAPE VARIETY:
Mujuretuli TYPE:
Red semi-sweet COUNTRY:
Georgia SUB-REGION:
Racha, Kvanchkara GROWING AREA:
Up to 600-700m above the sea level ALCOHOL: 11,5% CAPACITY:
1,1 liter
Kakhetian raditional Winemaking Kakhetian T Traditional Winemaking
Aleksandrouli
In Georgia Christianity was declared as an official religion in the first half of IV century. Since that time the Georgian people have become ardent followers of the Christian culture and in all the parts of the country intensive construction of churches and monasteries began. Unique, unlike and other culture architectural monuments were created, many of which have been included in the treasury of the world art. Both, the exterior and the interior of each of them are adorned with original ornaments, like the beads of precious stones. The principal elements of these ornaments are the sun, the vine, the grape bunches and various curving, sacral figures, which are not often repeated and greatly impress a visitor. Among these monuments there is the cathedral-monument “Nikortsminda,” a beauty of the medieval Georgian architecture. A lot of people have been delighted by its beauty and a lot of poems have been dedicated to glorify it. Constructed in the region of Racha, “Nikortsminda” is surrounded by beautiful mountains. In the nearby vineyards very special kinds of vines are grown, among which Khvanchkara occupies a significant place. If there has ever been held any wine contest in the twentieth century, Khvanchkara has always gained the highest awards everywhere. This beautiful, ornamented earthenware vessel is full of this most precious wine. Precious is always rare! Taste it, you won't regret it! It will remain in your memory for its pleasant flavor, unlike any other wine.
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VESSEL:
“Dzveli Ubani” WINE:
GRAPE VARIETY:
Saperavi 100% TYPE:
Red dry COUNTRY:
Georgia REGION:
Kakheti ALCOHOL: 11,5% CAPACITY:
5 Litre
Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking
“Saperavi”
The life rhythm has dramatically increased in our time. The old is destroyed, giving way to the new. Neither 1 550year-old Tbilisi survived this turmoil of time. But the old districts still have preserved their unique charm and beauty. The overhanging balconies, the pretty houses with flat roofs, where the whole families and neighbors used to get together. It was a wonderful means of communication. These balconies, the narrow streets were so close to one another, that the toast, taken in one house was passed over to a balcony at the other side of the street. Time is merciless, the new should be built, but the old also needs care. This vessel holds the oldest Kakhetian wine “Saperavi�, which our ancestors used to enjoy many centuries ago. When you open this vessel, recall them, your childhood, your loved ones who left this world and whatever country you are from, this wine will give you hope for the future and strengthen you. Help yourself to it! Enjoy it!
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VESSELl:
“Shemodgoma” WINE:
GRAPE VARIETY:
Saperavi 70% Mtsvane 30% TYPE:
Red semi-sweet COUNTRY:
Georgia REGION:
Kakheti ALCOHOL: 11,5% CAPACITY:
1,1 Litre
Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking
“Alazani Valley”
Every season of the year has its own charm, but the fall among them is the most colorful one. Besides being colorful, the fall is particularly important for a Georgian farmer. Bent over the soil all the year round, he straightens up in the fall, after storing the harvest products. The fertile Georgian soil is grateful to him for his labor and generously awards him. The fall is beautiful in Georgia, a real folk celebration starts: the new wine, fermenting in the Qvevri, the sweet grape juice, the churchkhelas dipped in the tatara, the freshly baked hot bread “Shoti”, in the wine cellar the low table – tabla, spontaneously laid with wine, bread, the guda cheese, fresh green herbs, the roast meat on the spit “mtsvadi”(barbeque) and the rite of making chacha. All this is accompanied by the joyful bustle of the neighbors, friends, guests and children. Such is the Georgian fall, the real festivity of joy and love.
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VESSEL:
“Tadzari” WINE:
“Kindzmarauli” GRAPE VARIETY: TYPE:
Semi-sweet COUNTRY:
Georgia SUB-REGION:
Kvareli, Kindzmarauli micro zone GROWING AREA:
Up to 250-550m above the sea level ALCOHOL:
11,5%
CAPACITY:
1,5 Litre
Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking
Saperavi 100%
In Georgian “Tadzari” means a cathedral, a place of worship. Christianity officially spread in Georgia in the fourth century and since that the Georgians constructed a lot of unique churches. Many of them were built far away from roads, in unattainable places, so that the congregation, sheltered in them was hard to reach during enemy invasions. In peaceful times the churches had cultural and educational functions. The priests, who served in the churches, were good at working in the fields and vineyards. The red wine is a necessary item during the religious ritual during the Eucharist. The wine, used while praying was called “Zedashe”. Zedashe was not used only in churches, the congregation also used to make it in their wine-cellars. In the wine-cellar the qvevri of the church was to be placed in a special place. Near to it there was a niche with an icon and candles. Zedashe was made only from high quality red grapes. Before pressing the grapes, the wine press was blessed and a drunk man or a woman were not allowed to approach it. During religious holidays, the uncovering of the qvevri with Zedashe was held in festive ritual and prayer. Uncovering of this qvevri was meant to be carried out only during religious celebrations, weddings and mourning events. The presented vessel holds a wine equal to the real church wine of the brand “Kindzmarauli,” which has been awarded a lot of times at world contests. It is so perfect that God's hand is felt in its making. Help yourself to it! Enjoy it!
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VESSEL:
“Tamada” WINE:
“Kindzmarauli” Saperavi 100% TYPE:
Semi-sweet COUNTRY:
Georgia SUB-REGION:
Kakheti, Kindzmarauli micro zone GROWINF AREA:
Up to 250-550m above the sea level ALOHOLl: 11,5% CAPACITY: 0,75 Litre
Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking
GRAPE VARIETY:
The “Tamada” is a toastmaster at a Georgian Supra. Regardless of its size there ought to be the tamada or the toastmaster. The members of the Supra choose the tamada or he is appointed by the host for his being an experienced organizer. Being the tamada is a kind of art in Georgia and in spite of the fact that he is elected, tamada is a sort of a dictator and the members of the Supra must obey him without a word of protest. According to the opinion of the foreign guests to Georgia, Tamada is the most pleasant dictator. He arranges the so called democratic dictatorship at the Supra, as he pays attention to every participant of the festivity to make him feel comfortable and to let the wine drinking process turn into a celebration. The tamada ought to be eloquent, intelligent, smart, sharp-witted and quick-thinking, with a good sense of humor. Only the tamada should propose a toast and the rest of the members are supposed to develop the same idea. Everybody tries to add something more original and emotional than the previous speaker and the whole process turns into a kind of contest in eloquence. The best tamada is an extempore poet and singer as well. He should arrange singing the polyphonic Georgian songs among the members of the Supra. Applying these traditional means, the tamada should provide a kind of unity which a good tamada is responsible for. He should notice if certain members begin to lessen their attention, or by proposing a special toast make him pass 'alaverdi,' which is an exclusive right to propose a toast. Last but not least at all, a good tamada should be good at drinking. He is expected to empty his glass after proposing a toast “bottom up” as the Georgians say 'bolomde!' Sometimes the tamada proposes toasts to be taken in various glasses such as horns of different capacities, phials, chinchillas etc. Traditionally there are specially treated goats' or auroches' horns, called “Khantsi”, also widely used as drinking vessels.
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VESSEL:
“Alaverdi” WINE:
“Alazani Valley” Rkatsiteli 70% Mtsvane 30% TYPE:
White semi-sweet COUNTRY:
Georgia REGION:
Kakheti ALCOHOL: 11,5% CAPACITY:
0,75Llitre
Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking
GRAPE VARIETY:
The word “Alaverdi” has several meanings in the Georgian language. One of them denotes the old Cathedral of St John, an outstanding monument of the Georgian medieval architecture. This monument, situated in Kakheti region in the eastern part of Georgia was known to be the highest Cathedral in Georgia (up to 50 meters) till the end of XX century. The burial vault of Kakheti kings is situated in the courtyard of the Cathedral Alaverdi is not only the religious center in Kakheti, but it has been a cultural center of Georgia for centuries. A lot of famous persons worked here, enlightening the people. The monastery for monks was founded on the territory of Alaverdi and the priests serving here tended orchards, vineyards and wheat fields. Here was also marani – the wine cellar and they maintained a high quality wine in the qvevri in order to use it during religious rites. The church wine should be made of red grapes. It is called “Zedashe” and pouring it into qvevri is connected with a religious ceremony. At present an ancient marani is restored in Alaverdi, where fabulous church wines are kept. The second meaning of the word 'Alaverdi' is used during festive celebrations. The Tamada –the toast-master proposes a toast and he drains the wineglass or the horn and then as a token of respect, he pass Alaverdi to a member of the festive table, thus giving him the right to continue the proposed toast. Every person who accepts Alaverdi adds something of his own to the toast. The idea of Alaverdi implies friendship, confidence and cordiality.
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VESSEL:
“Vakhtanguri” WINE:
GRAPE VARIETY:
Saperavi 100% TYPE:
Red dry COUNTRY:
Georgia SUB-REGION:
Kakheti ALCOHOL: 11,5% CAPACITY:
0,75 litre
Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking
“Saperavi”
“Vakhtanguri” in the Georgian language means to drink bruderschaft. It implies the atmosphere of cordiality, hospitality and kindness, accompanying the process of guest reception in the Caucasus. As its evidence, after the toast is proposed, the bowls, held in the hands with crossed arms are drained as a token of respect and brotherhood and then the participants of “Vakhtanguri” hug and kiss each other. In order to show brotherhood with the honored guest, the tamada drinks in Vakhtanguri” way. If the tamada notices a tense situation among the members, he makes them drink in “Vakhtanguri way to remove the tension. As usual, after gradually getting tipsy, the members of the table may drink in this way without the tamada's interference to show their brotherly love to one another. The name of Vakhtanguri comes from the legend. The King of Georgia Vakhtang Gorgasal, who in V century established the capital of Georgia Tbilisi, liked to drink wine thus.
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VASSEL:
“Kalata” WINE:
“Alazani valley” Saperavi 70% Mtsvane 30% TYPE:
Red semi-sweet COUNTRY:
Georgia SUB-REGION:
Kakheti ALCOHOL: CAPACITY:
11,5%
0,75 Litre
Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking
GRAPE VARIETY:
“Kalata” means a basket in Georgian. Used in everyday life during holidays and celebrations, a basket has a very long story and traditions. Weaving a basket is an ancient art and it comes from deep down the ancient time. A basket is woven using reeds or long, elastic stems of certain plants. In Georgian villages farmsteads are surrounded with fences, woven like baskets. There exist big and small baskets. A big one is called “Godori” and it is meant to take the collected grapes from the vineyards to the wine cellar. A godori can hold 100-150 kg of grapes. Small sized baskets are widely used in everyday life. They are often indispensable containers to take home various products and fruit from markets Flower-baskets are woven with a special craftsmanship. In Georgia, at jubilees and celebrations, it is an accepted practice to present an honored person with a richly decorated basket, full of fruit, drinks, sweets, flowers etc. A basket, decorated with flowers is also sent to a mourning family, to express condolence and sympathy The vessel “Kalata” is made of glazed ceramics. It holds wonderful wine “Alazani Valley”. On this blessed valley, on the both banks of the life-giving river Alazani, a lot of bushes of reed grow, which are used to weave baskets
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VESSEL:
“Doinji” WINE:
“Mukuzani” Saperavi 100% TYPE:
Red dry COUNTRY:
Georgia SUB-REGION:
Kakheti, Mukuzani GROWING AREA:
up to 350-600m above the sea level ALCOHOL:
11,5%
CAPACITY:
1,1 Litre
Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking
GRAPE VARIETY:
“Doinji” is a person's pose with his arms akimbo. This pose may signify observation, appreciation, reprimand. Sometimes doinji is a pose of taking a rest: after working for a long time, one can take a breath taking a pose with his arms akimbo. It is also an overseer's or a supervisor's pose, when a person is watching something and thinking; for instance a master, standing with his arms akimbo is watching his servants working; or a prison overseer is watching the prisoners' behavior, etc. Look at this jar with its arms akimbo! Can't you guess what it is telling you? “Come on, what are waiting for? Go ahead, take a drink of this magic “Mukuzani”!
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VESSELl:
“Askana” WINE:
GRAPE VARIETY:
Saperavi 100% TYPE:
Red dry COUNTRY:
Georgia SUB-REGION:
Kakheti ALCOHOL: 11,5% CAPACITY:
2 Litre
Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking
“Saperavi”
Askana is a small village in Guria region, which is the smallest one among Georgia's eleven administrative regions. It is in Western Georgia and is located on Kolkheti Lowland. The Black Sea coast is stretched over 22km. Guria is famous for its rich historical past, cultural heritage and a multitude of rivers. There are a lot of churches and architectural monuments in Guria. The polyphonic songs of Guria and its ancient tradition of hospitality are well-know as well. The songs of Guria, particularly its “Krimanchuli” (yodelling) delighted a lot of world-famous musicians. Exotic beauty of its nature, closeness of the Black Sea and the mountains distinguishes Guria from the other regions of Georgia. The combination of the sea and mountain air helps to develop subtropical cultures. Guria used to be the center of tea and citrus cultivation in the Soviet Union. Guria's pink wine “Chkhaveri” is made of the local sort of vine, with a unique, pink, unparallelled flavor. The vine “Chkhaveri” grows on high trees on the mountain slopes and its roots go deep into the soil, which is important to protect Guria's mild soil from avalanches. Askana is one of the most beautiful villages of Guria. It is famous for its nature and wine cellars. At the end of XIX century the best wine cellar in Askana was owned by Antimoz Chkhaidze, whose name is connected with the establishment of the company Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking.
www.ktw.ge
VESSEL:
“Dioskuria”
WINE:
“Kindzmarauli”
GRAPE VARIETY: TYPE:
Semi-sweet COUNTRY:
Georgia SUB-REGION:
Kvareli, Kindzmarauli micro zone GROWINF AREA:
Up to 250-550m above the sea level ALOHOLl: 11,5% CAPACITY: 2 Litre
Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking
Saperavi 100%
The name of the earthenware vessel “Dioskuria” takes its origin from Greek Dioskuras –the name of the ancient town, situated on the Black Sea coast, in one of the oldest regions of Georgia in the place of the contemporary Sukhumi. In VIII-VI centuries BC The Black Sea coast lands were invaded first by the Greeks and later by the Romans, who introduced their culture. They brought their own ritual items, clay crockery, glazed cups, amphoras, which were discovered during archeological excavations and on the ships, which had sunk on Kolkheti seacoast and Abkhazian territory. The climate of Abkhazia is a unique combination of the sea and mountain air, which provides longevity of the inhabitants. It is an ordinary practice to encounter here over 100 year- old people. Therefore the gerontologists of the world have displayed interest in this region for a long time. The climate and soil of Abkhazia is fertile and suitable for viniculture and winemaking. It is a well-known fact that the Greeks used to take the red wine in amphoras from here. The shape of the vessel “Dioskuria” reminds us of the cradle of the mankind. The bottle is designed in the antique Greek-Roman style and it holds the highest quality, famous Georgian brand wine “Kindzmarauli.”
www.ktv.ge
VESSEL:
“Samze” WINE:
GRAPE VARIETY:
Saperavi 70% Mtsvane 30% TYPE:
Red semi-sweet COUNTRY:
Georgia REGION:
Kakheti ALCOHOL: 11,5% CAPACITY:
3 litre
Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking
“Alazani valley”
This vessel holds 3 liters of wine. It is certainly too much for one person therefore the vessel was called “For three” as the wine inside should be equally divided into three. Three people already make a supra in Georgia with the elected tamada, his assistant, alaverdi and the other attributes and on top of it all, the vessel holds a fabulous wine – “Alazani Valley”. The lowland of Kakheti is divided by the river Alazani and its banks make one big valley, surrounded by the mountains. The valley, basking in the sun seems to have been created by God in order to cultivate a wonderful sort of grapes and to make the highest quality wines, among which “Alaznis Valley” is a real pearl. Don't you believe it? Try it yourself!
www.ktw.ge
VESSELl:
“Mziuri” WINE:
GRAPE VARIETY:
Saperavi 70% mtsvane 30% TYPE:
Red semi-sweet COUNTRY:
Georgia REGION:
Kakheti ALCOHOL: 11,5% CAPACITY:
3 litre
Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking
“Alazani Valley”
A wine maker knows well what troubles and what pleases the vine. If it needs water he will water the vineyard, but if it lacks the sun, nothing will substitute it. Therefore every morning, especially in the fall, a Georgian farmer looks up at the sky and if the day promises to be sunny, he thanks God for it. The autumn sun provides the grapes with sugar and energy, which passes into wine, which is then held in the qvevri. Even in the ancient time a Georgian man knew the value of the wine. If there was an illness, the wine in the qvevri was there to relieve a sick person; if there was any trouble, he would turn to the wine in the qvevri to while away his worry; as for the festivity, what could be better than the energy, held in the qvevri! You feel strength and enjoyment, forgetting all the troubles and you become happy and full of love. In the fall all the vines welcome the sun wherever the vineyard might be – on a mountain slope or a widely open valley. Yet in Georgia there is a God blessed place, where the vine gets oasis conditions. It is the Alazani Valley, spread on a vast territory (200 square kilometers). In the middle of the valley the river Alazani flows. In ancient time canals were made to irrigate vineyards. The Caucasian mountains shield the valley from the north colds. This valley directly faces the sun. The sun-kissed grapes, grown here bask in the sun, filled up with the sun's energy. Therefore this valley is also called the Sun Valley. The Alazani Valley is the Sun Valley and the wine also becomes sunny here. Don't you believe it? Try it and you will be sure of it.
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VESSELl:
“Velistsikhe” WINE:
GRAPE VARIETY:
Saperavi 70% Mtsvane 30% TYPE:
Red semi-sweet COUNTRY:
Georgia REGION:
Kakheti ALCOHOL: 11,5% CAPACITY:
0,75 litre
Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking
“Alazani Valley”
Velistsikhe, having the history of more than 1 500 years, is the oldest and largest village in Eastern Georgian region of Kakheti. There was a castle in the middle of the village and its name has taken its origin due to it. It was a strategic point and protected the whole of Georgia during the enemy invasions from the East. There are several historical buildings here, among them the church of V century. The village old people say that there was a 35 km long tunnel, which connected the village with the Cheremi Gorge. The tunnel was used for the villagers' evacuation during the enemies' invasions. In 2010 a church priest discovered the entrance arch of the tunnel, which archeologists are exploring at present. All round the village, on the Alazani Valley there are vineyards. The Alazani Valley is a Godblessed place, which creates oasis conditions for grapevine. The valley occupies a vast territory (200 square kilometers), in the middle of which the river Alazani flows, providing the vineyards with water. The valley is surrounded by the Caucasian mountains, protecting it from the North colds. This valley directly faces the sun. The fall here is sunny and rich and the grapes in vineyards get charged with the sun's energy. The best wine is made from the grapes in the wineries of Velistsikhe. Taste the wine 'AlaznisValley' held in this beautiful earthenware vessel and you will feel the flavor of Kakhetian autumn.
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VESSEL:
“Mtevani” WINE:
GRAPE VARIETY:
Saperavi 70% Mtsvane 30% TYPE:
Red semi-sweet COUNTRY:
Georgia REGION:
Kakheti ALCOHOL: 11,5% CAPACITY:
0,75 litre
Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking
“Alazani valley”
Any man, while entering a vineyard would first of all pay attention to a bunch of grapes, which is the face of the vineyard, admiring the beauty of the ripe bunch of grapes. Yet an experienced wine-maker can determine at a glance what kind of wine will be made of this blessed bunch. The bunches of various colors, sizes and species attractively peep out of the green leaves, expecting the vintage, in order to turn the sun's energy, kept in them into wine and give joy to people, and the wine-maker duly estimates its goodness. Therefore a bunch of grapes is one of the essential elements in an architect's work, passing over this beauty of nature on the church walls, paintings, in the shape of charming ornaments. When you taste the wine “Alaznis Valley�, made of amber colored bunches of grapes, fancy the full grape-bunches of 'Rkatsitely', be blessed and bless the wine- maker, who pressed these bunches.
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VESSEL:
“Toti” WINE:
“Alazani Valley” Saperavi 70% Mtsvane 30% TYPE:
Red semi-sweet COUNTRY:
Georgia REGION:
Kakheti ALCOHOL: 11,5% CAPACITY:
0,75 litre
Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking
GRAPE VARIETY:
A vineyard and a vine take a very special place in the mentality of a Georgian man. A vineyard is a multitude of vines, with their roots going deep into the earth and strong branches over the ground. Grapebunches are hanging on those branches, getting nourishment from them and getting life energy. Like a parent, taking care of his baby, the branch takes care of the grape-bunches. In some places with a lot of the sun-light, the branch sprawls on the ground, in some places it climbs up the trees to get the sun light in the unattainable places, so that the grape-bunches should not lack the sun's rays. What can be better to admire than the shadowed alley covered with vine branches and grape-bunches and the vine, climbing high up a tree. Just have a look at this young 'Saperavi' lying on this elderly, vein-covered branch, which is supporting the bunch like a parent, to make it rest, so that not a single grape gets hurt and make it ready to greet the vintage. The branch is like a parent, on whose arms a lot of grape-bunches have been cherished and will be cherished in the future to give us joy.
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VESSEL:
“Gideli” WINE:
“Alazani valley” GRAPE VARIETY:
Saperavi 70% Mtsvane 30% TYPE:
Red semi-sweet COUNTRY:
Georgia REGION:
Kakheti ALCOHOL: 11,5% CAPACITY:
0,75 litre
KAKHETIAN TRADITIONAL WINEMAKING
Wine in Clay
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