We dedicated this issue of the Homeland of Wine magazine to rare Georgian endemic varieties. In the last years, small wineries have been exceptionally active in reviving these varieties and using them to make wine. They experiment and astonish us with the most interesting wines. Our goal is to support these wineries. The current and consequent issues of the Homeland of Wine magazine will gradually introduce those who are creating the future of Georgian wine, viticulture, and winemaking and prove that it lies in varietal diversity.
Today, we have examples of reviving and making wine from rare grape varieties from every region of our country. These wines succeed in local, as well as international competitions, which emphasizes their potential. As the country with the oldest winemaking traditions, Georgia is rich in endemic grape varieties. This gives us the possibility to offer exciting novelties to the world market.
This issue of the Homeland of Wine united industry professionals that will tell you about unique Georgian endemic varieties. Their discussions can easily be used as a guide.
Naturally, we did not forget about our leading variety – Saperavi, which we discuss with American wine writers, experts, importers, and the main advocate of Saperavi, winemaker and oenologist, Dr. Lado Uzunashvili within the framework of “Saperica”. Dr. Uzunashvili will tell you why is Saperavi a real Georgian variety, a great friend, and a companion in arms that will never turn its back on you and will always give great results. All the while, the importers will give great advice to producers that wish to sell their wine in the US.
Have an interesting read!
Inside the autumn 2022 issue of HOMELAND OF WINE Magazine:
RARE GEORGIAN VARIETIES
Giorgi Samanishvili | Oenologist
David Chichua | LEPL Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture (SRCA)
Levan Ujmajuridze | LEPL Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture (SRCA)
kakha Tchotiashvili | Tchotiashvili Family Vineyards
Gogi Dakishvili | Dakishvili Family Vineyards
RARE GEORGIAN VARIETIES
By Giorgi Barisashvili
TELIANI COLLECTION | WINE PEOPLE: History of selected wines from the concept to the bottle
Tina Chikvanaia | Project manager of Teliani Collection
Mana Bleeker-Ottmer | Importer, the Netherlands
Mikheil Khundadze | Importer, Latvia
Noel Brockett | Importer, USA
Tariel Lomtadze | „Tariel Lomtadze’s Marani“
Soso Vanishvili | „Chateau Ateni“
Luka Chutlashvili | Anapea Winery
Nikoloz Chochishvili | Kapistoni Winery
Beka Nasrashvili | Nasrashvili Family Winery
Shalva Natroshvili | Winemaker
GEORGIA – 8000 years of winery
Levan Mekhuzla | Chairman of National Wine Agency
A 6 months exhibition dedicated to popularization of Georgian wine and GRAPE varieties taking place in Zurich
Revaz Lominadze | Georgian ambassador to the Swiss Confederation
Davit Tkemaladze | Deputy chairman of National Wine Agency
Levan Davitashvili | Minister of Environment and Agriculture
WINERIES | WINE HOTELS
SOLOMONE WINERY
DUGLADZE WINE AND SPIRITS
BABANEURIS MARANI
WINE PALACE
BRAND WINE GEORGIA
SOLOMNISHVILI WINERY
BAGRATIONI 1882
MORCHEULI WINES AND SPIRITS
TARIEL LOMTADZE’S MARANI
MARBANO
ZURAB KVIRIASHVILI VINEYARDS
MTSVANE ESTATE
GLAKHUNA
SAPERAVI’S GREAT AMERICAN JOURNEY
Lasha Tsatava, DipWSET | Co-founder of Saperica
Erika Frey DipWSET | Co-founder of Saperica
Lado Uzunashvili | Oenologist, international winemaker, Ph.D. in Oenology
Meaghan Frank, DipWSET | Vice-President of Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery
Tamara Chubinidze, | Chama Mama’s Founder
Rodolfo Neirotti, Jr. DipWSET | Co-founder and member of 2N Trade LLC | Wine importer | Master of Wine Candidate
Darra Goldstein | Guest speaker at Saperavi Festival | Author of The Georgian Feast cookbook
Dave McIntyre | Freelance wine & food writer | Wine columnist for The Washington Post
The Qvevri Wine Hunter Award 2022
Ketevan Aladashvili | Katewine
Best Georgian wine hunter Italians in Georgia
Tina Kezeli | “Georgian Wine” association director
Helmuth Koecher | Founder and president of Merano Wine Festival and Wine Hunter
Gogi Dakishvili | Head of the jury of Qvevri Wine Competition
Levan Mekhuzla | Chairman of National Wine Agency
Tinatin Jajanidze | Director of Georgian wine laboratory
IMERETI
Keti Jurkhadze | Director of “Imeretian Wine Association”
A unique region of viticulture-winemaking
and Imeretian grape varieties
Irma Mdinaradze | Agriculture Ph.D., Associate professor,
Chief Specialist, Viticulture analysis and regulation department, LEPL National Wine Agency
FOOD & WINE
Perfect pairings of Meskhetian wine and
Meskhetian cuisine
Tazo Tamazashvili | Sommelier
Jaba Dzimistarashvili | Sommelier
Nika Saradjeff | Chef | Chef Saradjeff
Top 10 Bolnisi wines
By Georgian Wine Guild
FOOD & TRAVEL
Keti Kvichidze | Gastronomic Tourism Business Association
town of golden wine and
diverse gastronomy
Daduna Ghlonti | Chef
Misha Avsajanishvili | Chef
