By Sam Perry.
Before there was Bordeaux. Before there was Barolo. Before there was Burgundy... there was Georgia.
Widely regarded as the birthplace of wine, Georgia has been making it for more than 8,000 years, with archaeological evidence of winemaking dating back to 6000 BCE. It's a country home to more than 500 indigenous grape varieties, many found nowhere else on earth, and a winemaking tradition that's remained remarkably unchanged for millennia.
One of the things that makes Georgian wine so distinctive is the continued use of qvevri; large, egg-shaped clay vessels used to ferment and mature wine. Buried underground (or partially buried, depending on the producer), qvevri naturally regulate temperature while allowing the wines to develop remarkable texture, complexity and a true sense of place. This ancient technique remains central to Georgian winemaking today and has been recognised by UNESCO as an important part of the country's cultural heritage.
Our Georgian Collection
Our latest shipment showcases three exciting producers: Iberieli, Do Re Mi and Igavi. Together, they offer a fascinating introduction to the breadth of modern Georgian wine, from fresh, mineral-driven whites to richly textured amber wines and vibrant reds.
For lovers of crisp whites...
Igavi Tsolikouri Lechkhumi is a wonderfully fresh introduction to Georgian wine. Aged in an above-ground qvevri, it delivers bright citrus, chalky minerality and refreshing acidity, making it a natural match for grilled seafood or creamy pasta.
Discover amber wines...
Georgia is perhaps best known for its amber wines, where white grapes spend extended time fermenting on their skins, creating greater texture, colour and complexity.
The Iberieli Mtsvane Kakhuri offers a gentle introduction, with notes of apricot, pear, citrus and delicate spice balanced by vibrant minerality.
For those wanting to explore further, Do Re Mi Khikhvi takes the style to another level. Certified organic and matured on skins for six months, it is deeply coloured, richly textured and layered with stone fruit, herbs and distinctive tannins.
At the fuller end of the spectrum sits Iberieli Vardisperi Rkatsiteli, a powerful yet beautifully balanced amber wine offering notes of strawberry, bitter orange peel, cherry and fine minerality.
Georgia's signature red: Saperavi
No exploration of Georgian wine is complete without Saperavi, the country's most famous red grape variety.
Do Re Mi Saperavi is deeply coloured and generously fruited, showing ripe cherry, plum and spice with vibrant acidity that makes it as comfortable alongside roast beef as it is with duck or spicy cuisine.
For a lighter expression, Iberieli Saperavi delivers lifted aromatics, juicy dark berries and refreshing natural acidity, pairing beautifully with cheese, charcuterie and roasted poultry.
Why Georgian wine?
If you've never explored Georgian wine before, there's never been a better time. These wines offer something genuinely different; thousands of years of history, indigenous grape varieties you won't find anywhere else, and ancient winemaking techniques that continue to shape some of the world's most distinctive wines.
