Georgia: The Full Circle of Wine

The winemaking country of Georgia has long held my fascination. This beautiful country in the Caucasus at the boundary between Europe and Asia, although forwards looking, to my eye, retains a deep connection to its past.

Many things capture my interest about this county, be its ancient musical tradition of Polyphony, its traditional dances and unique language – to its retention of Christianity, with over 80% of its population identifying as Orthodox. But most importantly, I should suppose, as this is a wine blog, its wine! More specifically its Amber wine.

Its winemaking tradition can be dated back 8000 years with scientists in 2017 discovering fragments of earthenware pots containing residual wine compounds, placing it the oldest known winemaking country to date. It is its qvevri wines which capture my interest the most. Known as Amber wines here, but in modern parlance Orange Wine.

This UNESCO protected method of winemaking places large clay amphora underground, which are used to ferment and age the wine. Uniquely keeping the white grape skins, stalks and pips in contact with the must for an extended period, usually around six months before being decanted and bottled. This is what results in the wines beguiling  shades of Amber. We sell a fine example by Bolero vineyards, which tastes as it looks with a pithy marmalade flavour, with a lovely depth and richness.

Orange wine today is a growing category which can be found on many a trendy wine bar chalkboard. With increasing examples all over the winemaking world. Not all subscribing to the qvevri method but the common thread being an extended skin contact with the must during winemaking.

As with all ideas, they are borrowed and become inspiration, evolving as they pass hands. Just as each generation of musician owes a debt to their heroes before them. Albeit the case, it’s worth remembering that Georgian Amber wine is the original from which all expressions have derived. It deserves all the success and exposure it is receiving, and I thoroughly enjoy introducing people to the style in the shop and during tastings.

Everything in life is full circle, and sometimes the old ways, where just that way for a reason.

Author: Jonathan Tew, Retail Manager at Fine Wines Direct UK.

 

This October we are celebrating Georgian Wine Month. If you buy any 6 Georgian wines, we will give you one bottle of Orange wine FREE! We will also have Georgian wines to samples in store throughout the month.