The best white Georgian wine: the name and reviews. Grades of Georgian white semisweet wines

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 have been engaged for more than eight thousand years. This is confirmed by archaeological finds in the territory of Kakheti.

Winemaking in Georgia

Proud Georgians say that you can truly experience the taste of wine only in his homeland. After all, only over half a thousand grapevine varieties are grown here, of which white, red, pink, dry, sweet and semisweet wines are produced.

It is noteworthy that most of the varieties of this berry are autochthonous and clearly delineated by regions. 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 is Alexander 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 European tasters rude 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.

Varieties of grapes and regions

The names of white dry Georgian wines are usually given in honor of the grape variety 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 its directories, Georgia is home to 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 distillation, 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 Saperavi grape variety, which means "dyer" from Georgian. Its name is due to a specific coloring property.

In principle, if you separate the skin from red grapes and use exclusively the juice of berries in the production, you will get both red and white wine. After all, the juice of most grape varieties 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, such varieties as Ojaleshi, Mujuretuli and Alexandrouli are well known.

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.

"Tsinandali": for lovers of acidic 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 lifetime he managed to get nine silver and ten gold medals.

"Gurjaani": unique bitterness

Kakheti wine, which is produced by European technology. If we talk about Georgian wine, white dry vintage wines usually have some individual unique 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. The list of his awards includes one bronze, one gold and nine silver medals.

"Tsitska" - sweet wine

Only the name of the white Georgian wine of the brand "Tsitska" can cause 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 in its taste unusual sweet notes are found, especially in the aftertaste.

It is produced according to Imereti technology from grapes with the same name. They have been doing it since 1966 in such areas as Terjola, Zestafoni, Bagdati.

When spilled, it is passed through special filters to prevent liquid from contact with air. That is, pouring the wine "Tsitska" in a glass, you seem to get it directly from the barrel.

Search for "Tsolikauri" in Georgia

The next name for white Georgian wine comes from a grape variety 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 can withstand twenty years. Not surprisingly, the price is high enough.
Nevertheless, it was still presented at international exhibitions and received a silver medal.

The tasters say that the best representatives of this brand are characterized by a harmonious and delicate taste, as well as an individual and easily recognizable aroma.

"Bakhtrioni" - the history of Eastern Georgia

This white Georgian wine got its name from 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 region.

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 a few 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.

"Tibaani" - the taste of the tea rose

Our next white Georgian wine was received from the microdistrict 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, slightly oily. There are notes of withered tea rose, raisins and a specific varietal aroma. The color of "Tibaani" is quite dark: amber with a greenish tinge.

"Kakheti" according to an ancient recipe

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 wine is considered to be the oldest and is used only in this country. Wines created by these standards are considered to be 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. 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 saturated.

You can feel the notes of local fruits and herbs, as well as a delicate aftertaste and a distinctive unique flavor.

The wine was awarded one bronze and one silver medal.

Semi-sweet "Twishi"

White Georgian wine "Twishi" without a doubt is 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 three different 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 two silver and one gold medals at the competitions? 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 enthusiasm. Brightly pronounced fruit notes of this wine are liked by almost everyone who tries it.

"Alazani Valley"

No wonder this land is sometimes called "black and white Georgia" by tourists. 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 the white semisweet wine of this brand from the Rkatsiteli grapes. 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.

"Tetra" from the first three

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 white semisweet wine.

At home, the drink is considered quite expensive, so it is not often found at the table. The name of this wine was obtained from a variety of 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.

"Chhaveri": different opinions

When it comes to Georgian wines, Georgian winemaking (especially in the west of the country) is accused of a kind of "wateryness". 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 amount of excess water in the 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 brand 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.

"Savane" - energy of the Georgian sun

When they talk about grades of Georgian wines, white semisweet wines stand a little apart, because they are radically different from the rest.

For example, the brand "Savane", which is very similar in taste and production to the "Tsitska" wine, 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, connecting with the energy of the Georgian sun, gives incomparable pleasure to all who decide to evaluate it.

So, dear friends, we walked through the coffers of some wineries in 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!