Exploring the Best of Georgian Wines: A Lineup for UK Wine Enthusiasts
[Please note that this is a sponsored article and is not authored by me]
Wine, at its best, is not just a beverage. It’s a story in a bottle, an echo of the land from which it springs, a relic of culture, and, in some cases, an artifact of history itself.
Nowhere is this truer than in Georgia – the birthplace of wine, where viticulture has flourished for over 8,000 years. This ancient tradition, steeped in both folklore and rigorous technique, is finally capturing the imagination of UK wine lovers. The surge in Georgian wine exports to the UK, going up 28% in volume and 17% in value in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year. This statistics speaks volumes about the growing intrigue surrounding these wines.
So why this sudden fascination? The answer lies in both the old and the new. Georgian wines are deeply entrenched in tradition: the qvevri fermentation, an 8,000-year-old method of aging wine in massive clay vessels buried underground, remains a hallmark of the country’s winemaking philosophy. This ancient process produces flavors that defy modern conventions, offering earthy, tannic, and structured profiles, particularly for whites, which are more akin to tannin-rich amber wines.
Additionally, with nearly 500 indigenous grape varieties, Georgian wines offer a spectrum of flavors that stand in stark contrast to the more predictable selections from France, Italy, or Spain.
It is, quite simply, an enological wonderland waiting to be explored.
For the UK’s curious and adventurous wine enthusiasts, here is a hand-selected lineup that embodies the complexity, diversity, and singularity of Georgian wines.
Badagoni Saperavi Reserve 2010
Saperavi, Georgia’s signature red grape, is an anomaly in the viticultural world – a teinturier, meaning both its skin and flesh are deeply pigmented. This translates into wines of extraordinary depth and structure. The Badagoni Saperavi Reserve 2010 is a testament to the grape’s formidable aging potential. Nearly opaque in color, the wine unfurls with layers of ripe blackberries, cassis, and a whisper of dark chocolate. Subtle traces of smoke and spice from oak aging add complexity without overpowering its primal fruit core.
On the palate, this wine is assertive yet balanced, with gripping tannins and a finish that lingers, hinting at black pepper and crushed violets. If Bordeaux had a wild, untamed cousin, it would be this.
Tchotiashvili Muskaturi Rkatsiteli 2020
White wines in Georgia are a paradox. Darker than many reds, richer than most Chardonnays, and more tannic than expected. The Tchotiashvili Muskaturi Rkatsiteli 2020 exemplifies this phenomenon. Made from the ancient Rkatsiteli grape, one of the world’s oldest, and vinified in qvevri, this amber-hued wine is anything but ordinary. Aromas of dried apricots, honeycomb, and orange peel give way to an intensely textured palate.
There’s a grip, a chewiness (almost like a red wine) yet it retains a freshness that keeps everything in balance. For those unaccustomed to the skin-contact wines of Georgia, this bottle serves as both an initiation and a revelation.
Barbale Shavkapito Reserve 2022
Shavkapito, once a nearly forgotten variety, is undergoing a renaissance. Unlike the brawny, brooding Saperavi, Shavkapito is more delicate yet no less intriguing. The Barbale Shavkapito Reserve 2022 is light-bodied but intensely aromatic, offering a mélange of red cherries, pomegranate seeds, and a faint hint of damp earth. It’s a wine that surprises; the palate is alive with crisp acidity and soft tannins, making it immensely food-friendly. Pair it with roasted meats, mushroom-based dishes, or even a simple charcuterie board, and it will sing.
Lomtadze Family Wine Khvanchkara 2023
If Georgian wines were to have a seducer, Khvanchkara would be it. Infamous for being Stalin’s favorite wine, this semi-sweet red, crafted primarily from Alexandrouli and Mujuretuli grapes, is often misunderstood. The Lomtadze Family Wine Khvanchkara 2023 dispels any notions of cloying sweetness; instead, it offers balance. Aromas of ripe strawberries, raspberries, and cinnamon-spiced plums give way to a palate that is lush yet lifted by acidity. The sweetness here is natural and integrated, making it a stunning match for blue cheeses or even spicy Asian cuisine.
Lagvinari Tsolikouri 2020
Tsolikouri, a white grape hailing from western Georgia, produces wines that are often taut, mineral-driven, and refreshingly crisp. The Lagvinari Tsolikouri 2020 embodies these traits with precision. Aromas of green apple, citrus zest, and white flowers introduce a wine that is both racy and elegant. Unlike its qvevri-aged counterparts, this bottle is all about purity – clean, direct, and expressive.
On the finish, a touch of salinity lingers, reflecting the high-altitude vineyards from which it hails. A natural pairing with seafood, this wine is a must-try for those who appreciate the crispness of Chablis but want something more esoteric.
Conclusion: A Journey into the Soul of Wine
To sip Georgian wine is to step into history, to taste a tradition that predates written records, to engage with winemaking at its most primal yet sophisticated form. The UK’s growing interest in these wines is not a mere passing trend but a testament to the power of authenticity in an increasingly homogenized wine market.
For the drinker who seeks something beyond the usual suspects and beyond the comfort of predictable Merlots and Chardonnays, Georgia offers an adventure, an exploration, and a challenge. The qvevri wines demand patience and curiosity, their flavors layered with history and terroir. The reds offer boldness but also restraint, an Old World elegance wrapped in an unfamiliar profile. And then there are the amber wines that upend conventional notions of what white wine should be.
The world of Georgian wine is vast, waiting for those who dare to explore it. So next time you find yourself in search of something new, something with depth, something with a soul, reach for a bottle of Georgian wine. Let it tell you its story.
