Language/Georgian/Culture/Wine-and-Spirits
As a Georgian language teacher for over 20 years, I cannot talk about Georgian culture without mentioning Georgian wine and spirits. Georgia is one of the oldest wine regions in the world with over 8,000 years of wine-making history. Georgian wine has played an essential role in the country's culture, religion, and traditions throughout history.
Georgian Wine
Wine is an essential part of the Georgian lifestyle, and it's drunk in abundance during all kinds of social events. Georgian wine comes in a variety of colours and flavours, each with its unique character and context. The official Georgian classification system divides Georgian wines into four categories, and each of these categories has its subcategories. The following is a breakdown of the categories with a few examples of Georgian wines within each category:
Table Wine (Qvevri Wines)
Table wines are everyday wines that most Georgians drink regularly. They represent the largest export/import category of Georgian wines to this day. They can be both white and red, and are typically dry. Table wines are produced using the ancient Qvevri wine-making technique, which is unique to Georgia. The wine is fermented in clay jars known as qvevris, which are buried in the ground. This method is believed to produce the most authentic Georgian wine, and it's highly valued both locally and internationally. Examples of table wines include Tsinandali, Rkatsiteli, and Saperavi.
Appellation Controlled Wine (Manually Produced Wines)
This category consists of wines with a controlled designation of origin. These wines are produced by small family-owned vineyards that use minimal intervention in the vine-growing process. This wine-making process is labour-intensive as the grapes are hand-picked, and the wine is fermented in oak barrels. Examples of appellation controlled wines include Mukuzani, Kindzmarauli, and Akhasheni.
Premium Wine ("European" Style Wines)
Premium wines are relatively new to Georgia. They're made using modern wine-making techniques, such as temperature-controlled fermentation and ageing in oak barrels. Premium wines are usually more expensive than the other categories of Georgian wines. Examples of premium wines include Chateau Mukhrani, Mtsvane, and Chardonnay.
Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wines are a new addition to the Georgian wine industry. They are produced using traditional methods, and their production is on the rise. Examples of sparkling wines include Tsinandali Brut and Babaneuri Brut.
Georgian Spirits
The Georgians take spirits seriously, and it's a vital part of their culture. Georgian spirits include Chacha and Brandy.
Chacha
Chacha is a grape-based brandy that's similar to Italian grappa. It has a high alcohol content that ranges from 40% to 65%. Chacha is a traditional Georgian spirit that's often served before or after a meal. It's also used as an ingredient in cocktails. Examples of Chacha include Chacha Sarajishvili, Chacha Old Cellar, and Chacha Ukhuti.
Brandy
Georgia produces some of the finest brandies in the world, often compared to the quality of cognac. Georgian brandies are made from carefully selected grapes and aged in oak barrels for up to 20 years. They have a distinctive flavour and aroma that's unique to the Georgian brandy-making process. Examples of Georgian brandies include Old Kakheti, Sarajishvili VS, Sarajishvili Napoleon, and Askaneli Brothers.
As you can see, Georgian wine and spirits are part of the essential elements of Georgian culture, tradition, and lifestyle. They form an integral part of local meals, social events, and religious traditions, making them worth exploring for any culture enthusiast. In addition to the above, Georgian wine has many health benefits, making it a perfect addition to any diet.