Georgia is known as a birthplace of wine. Winemaking for centuries has been the backbone of Georgian economy and a topic of discussion about complicated relations with Russia. Russia has been largest importer of Georgian wines from the times of Russian leader Stalin who was born in Gori, a city in Eastern Georgia. May 26th, 2018 was an important day for Georgians. They celebrated 100 years of independence since the end of long & painful Russian revolution.
During November 2017, archaeologists uncovered evidence of world’s earliest winemaking dating back to 6000 BCE in 2 Stone Age villages of South Caucasus region, 50 Kilometers south of Tbilisi the capital of Georgia. During excavation pieces of clay pots were found containing residues of world’s oldest wine. Sounding a bit stereotype but it is believed that Stone Age people were known for having a fine taste for things back in time. This discovery has brought the country under lime light and Georgia has caught world’s attention since. It is now believed winemaking from grapes existed hundreds of years back than previously estimated.
Traditional Georgian winemaking involves use of Qvevri (egg-shaped clay pots) for fermentation and wine storage. Winemakers bury the earthen clay vessels up to the neck and recycle them for generations to ferment and age wines. Nowadays modern winemaking practices are observed amongst old generation commercial winemakers of Georgia. Stainless steel tanks and modern equipment is being used for fermentation, filtration and storage to increase wine production capabilities & to improve end product quality.
2006 was a turbulent year for Georgian winemakers. Soviets banned import of Georgian wines in the context of claiming, residuals of pesticides were found in Georgian wines. Georgians believed the embargo was politically influenced that pushed more than 80% of Georgian winemakers to the curb. With persistence and hard work of resilient Georgian winemakers combined with efforts by country’s PR, the export of Georgian wines started rising in the UK and USA in 2016.
Georgia is not out of the woods yet. Georgian winemakers still have a bumpy ride ahead but due to steady awareness of their wines and improved infrastructure, Georgia has entered in an era of progression. It’s an easier pill to swallow than being pushed under the thumb of Soviet regime. 🍷🥂🇬🇪
Photo Credit: Ilia Datunashvili, Myway.wine Kondoli Village Kakheti, Georgia
