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Author Topic: FSU Wines and Spirits  (Read 43981 times)

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Offline Chris

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FSU Wines and Spirits
« on: August 30, 2012, 09:17:46 AM »
Georgian Wines and Spirits:

It's not common knowledge, but Georgia is one of the oldest wine producing regions of the world. The fertile valleys of the South Caucasus, which Georgia straddles, are believed by many archaeologists to be the source of the world's first cultivated grapevines and neolithic wine production well over 8,000 years ago. In fact, their word “wine” is derived from “gvino” – the Georgian word for wine.

Georgia’s wines fall into several zones: Kakheti and Kartli in the east, and Imereti, Samegrelo, Guria, Ajaria, and Abkhazia in the west. By far the most important of these is Kakheti, which produces 70% of all Georgian wine.

These days there are over 500 species of grape in Georgia, a greater diversity than anywhere else in the world, with around 40 of these grape varieties being used in commercial wine production. Conditions are well suited for viticulture: summers are rarely excessively hot, winters are mild and frost-free. In addition, the mountains around the vineyards are full of natural springs, and rivers drain mineral-rich waters into the valleys. All this means that Georgian wines have a reputation for being exceptionally pure.


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Offline Chris

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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #1 on: August 30, 2012, 09:23:34 AM »
One of Georgia’s great wine making traditions, which one cannot help noticing when coming across these wines for the first time, is its medium sweet wines, which appear in both red and white varieties, including the famous Kindzmarauli, the less well known but highly regarded varieties of Ojaleshi and Pirosmani, and the magisterial Khvanchkara, the favourite wine of one of Georgia’s most important sons, Joseph Stalin.

Traditionally, medium sweet wines were produced in the mountainous areas where, due to climate and soil conditions, late harvest and early winter prevented fermentation and the wine stayed sweet. This type of wine was therefore generally used for local and quick consumption, because in spring, when the temperature rose, the wines tended to re-ferment and spoil. Nowadays, famous Georgian semi-sweet wines such as Kindzmarauli and Khvanchkara are specifically created to preserve their high sugar content.

For the past 5 years or so my wife and I have been drinking Georgian Wines and bringing them back to the UK, in the last twelve months we have now been able to buy these same wines through a specialist supplier here in the UK, but even so we still bring them back from time to time, like my last trip over the last few weeks.

On my recent trip to Ukraine, I was also introduced to a fantastic Georgian Brandy and really shouldn't have been surprised at all at how good their Brandy really is.

So lets take a closer look* at some of the better known wines and spirits from Georgia, starting with some of my own favourites:-



* any costs indicated are for guidance only at today's prices, and are based on buying in quantities of 6 bottles or more in the UK, obviously they are cheaper when buying from the FSU.
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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #2 on: August 30, 2012, 09:38:53 AM »
RED WINES

Khvanchkara – Telavi  (costs up to £15/bottle)

One of Georgia’s unique gently sweet reds, which has been manufactured since around 1907, and was reputedly the favourite wine of Stalin; it is made from a blend of two local grapes, Alexandrouli and Mujuretuli, and grown in the controlled appellation zone of Khvanchkara, on the slopes of the Caucasus Mountains in the Racha-Lechkhumi region of Northern Georgia.

Aromas of smoky, wild strawberry are followed on the palate by a mellow blend of dried fruit, pomegranate and a touch of caramel, though there’s plenty of lively acidity and a light peppery taste helps balance out its sweetness. Try it chilled as an aperitif, or with chocolatey puddings and nuts.


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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #3 on: August 30, 2012, 09:39:34 AM »
Kindzmarauli – Telavi  (costs up to £12/bottle)

Regarded as one of Georgia’s top appellations, and first delimited in 1942, the competition between Kindzmarauli and Khvanchkara to be the top sweet wine in Georgia seems to be the cause of some controversy!

The wines from Kindzmarauli are vinified from Saperavi and always have a little natural residual sweetness. This gives an appealing softness and rounded texture, rather than being obviously sweet and sticky. Telavi Wine Cellar’s version is a deep inky purple red with notes of crushed blackberry, damson jam, and spice. To taste, it has vivid berry fruit and hints of buttery toast, and is gently sweet with supple tannins. It would be a good combination with rich fruit cake, farmhouse cheeses or walnuts.

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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #4 on: August 30, 2012, 09:42:40 AM »
Cabernet Saperavi – Teliani (costs up to £18/bottle)

This wine is an equal blend of French Cabernet Sauvignon and Saperavi from the Tsinandali region of Georgia, creating a lighter and fruitier wine than pure Saperavi. It is fermented in oak vats and aged in French oak barrels for 12months.

The wine has a dark ruby color and rich aroma of red cherry, black current, plums and a hint of vanilla, with a smooth, long and pleasant aftertaste.

Enjoy with roasted meat and cheese.
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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #5 on: August 30, 2012, 09:43:39 AM »
Mukuzani Special Reserve – Tbilvino (costs up to £30/bottle)

Mukuzani, Georgia’s most famous and well-regarded appellation of origin, is situated on the south-west bank of the Alazani river, on the slopes of the Tsiv Gombori Mountain Range, where the soil is light clay and calcareous. On the opposite bank are the contrasting vineyards of Napareuli.

Made from the specially selected best grapes from the Mukuzani micro-zone, this wine is then aged for 20 months in oak barrels. The result is a deeper and subtler wine than one’s standard Mukuzani, with tones of coffee, chocolate and cherry, as well as mineral nuances and a long-lasting aftertaste.

Mukuzani aged for 20 months is ideal with spicy tomato soup and meatballs, kebabs and sirloin.
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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #6 on: August 30, 2012, 10:05:45 AM »
Napareuli – Teliani (costs up to £12/bottle)

The contrasting dry reds of Mukuzani and Napareuli come from controlled appellations on either side of the Alazani River in Kakheti. The vineyards of Napareuli are found on the left bank, where the soil is sandier and contains less clay and smaller stones. Although not as well known as the wines of Mukuzani, Napareuli is regarded as one of Georgia’s top appellations of origin – Saperavi here produces a wine totally unlike other Georgian Wines, with leather, smoke, tobacco, and even hints of lapsang souchong tea on the palate.

This is a wine with real local personality; which would be excellent with Sunday roast beef or lamb, moussaka and even with spicy curries.
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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #7 on: August 30, 2012, 10:07:28 AM »
Saperavi Satrapezo – Telavi (costs up to £22/bottle)

The Saperavi Satrapezo is one of the gems of Georgian Wines. Produced in accordance with ancient wine making techniques dating back over 6000 years, the wine is fermented in clay vessels called Kvevri buried in the ground. Long, one-month maceration, followed by maturation for 24 months in oak barrels. Unfiltered, 6 month bottle aging.  Deep red colour, with brick hues. Complex vanilla oak and concentrated forest berry aromas. Black fruit flavours, and ripe silky oak tannins are dominant on the initial palate, followed by fresh, clean blackcurrant flavours and liquorice notes. Limited release of 6000 bottles.

This will take on many Bordeaux wines that cost twice the price.
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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #8 on: August 30, 2012, 10:12:21 AM »
There are many more Georgian red wines, but those above are what I am familiar with.
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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #9 on: August 30, 2012, 10:12:50 AM »
WHITE WINES

Alazani Valley – Teliani Valley (costs up to £9/bottle)

A pale golden medium sweet wine, made from local Rkatsiteli grapes and grown on the sunny warm valley slopes overlooking the Alazani River in Kakheti. This river system borders Georgia and Azerbaijan, where the warmer climate leads to sweeter grapes. On the nose it has rich aromas of poached pear and ripe apple with a hint of honey. On the palate, there are flavours of baked apple, sultanas and candied peel; gently sweet with natural grape sugars and balanced by the zesty, fresh acidity typical of the grape variety.

Desserts like apple crumble or fruit tarts, as well as blue cheese, would be good matches.

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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #10 on: August 30, 2012, 10:16:14 AM »
Mtsvane – Telavi (costs up to £9/bottle)

Mtsvane is one of Georgia’s most exciting and unique white grapes. Its name actually means green, and this refers to the unusual green colour of the fruit when ripe. This particular wine is from the Kakheti region of Georgia, and is a pale golden colour with an inviting nose with hints of apple blossom, honeysuckle and acacia. It is dry, but full and weighty to taste with notes of poached pear and honey, and a lingering crisp finish.

Would go well with: Roast chicken or pork, or creamy pasta dishes.

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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #11 on: August 30, 2012, 10:17:27 AM »
Tsinandali Special Reserve – Tbilvino  (costs up to £20/bottle)

Winner of numerous medals at International Wine Competitions, including a silver medal at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, this single estate dry white wine is made from the traditional Georgian grape varieties Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane, harvested in the Tsinandali micro-zone of Kakheti. Every year the winemaker selects the very best Rkatsiteli and Mstvane grapes, based on flavour, balance and the retention of fresh crisp fruit acids. This fruit is then handpicked and carefully processed in order to retain the fruit aroma – the wine uniting the full body and high sugar level of the Rkatsiteli grapes with the aroma and freshness of the Mstvane. The wine is then fermented and aged in new French oak barrels for 9 months.

The result is a wine with a deep straw colour and a powerful aroma and flavour. On the nose there is melon and vanilla, while in the mouth honey washes over the tongue, ending with a long lasting apple taste, slightly sour due to the oak barrel aging. The 2005 vintage is restricted to 11,600 bottles.

Try with dry cheese, fried fish, and poultry.

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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #12 on: August 30, 2012, 10:18:26 AM »
Tsinandali – Teliani Valley  (costs up to £9/bottle)

Don’t let the difficult names put you off trying one of Georgia’s best regarded controlled appellations for dry white wines. Like Mukuzani, Tsinandali is in the heart of Kakheti, on the south-west bank of the Alazani River, where the soil is light clay and calcareous. It’s made from a blend of 80% Rkatsitelli and 20% Mtsvane, fermented cool in stainless steel to keep it fresh.

It’s a bright, greenish yellow wine, with soft subtle aromas of apple and almond, with a slightly peppery first taste, followed by a creamier and fruitier, and slightly woody finish.

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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #13 on: August 30, 2012, 10:19:19 AM »
Mtsvane-Rkatsiteli – Orovela  (costs up to £14/bottle)

A blend of 85% Mtsvane and 15% Rkatsiteli from the much-lauded Orovela winery, combining the fragrance of the mtsvane grape with the fuller body of the rkatsiteli.

Pale green‑gold in colour, with yellow‑plum aromas and hints of subtle tropical fruit. Its lively, zesty flavours are complemented by soft ripe textures and restrained exotic notes with a clean, minerally finish.
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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #14 on: August 30, 2012, 10:20:45 AM »
Tsolikouri – Teliani Valley  (costs up to £10/bottle)

A real favourite Georgian white: well crafted, and perhaps the one that most resembles wines from Western Europe. A pretty dry white wine made from 100% Tsolikouri grapes, an indigenous variety grown in the Tvishi appellation in northern Georgia’s Lechkhumi region. It has inviting floral aromas with hints of rose petal and Muscat grapes, and to taste is fresh dry and appley with mouth-watering crispness.

A lovely choice with dishes like garlicky prawns, pan-fried white fish and summery salads.
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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #15 on: August 30, 2012, 10:21:33 AM »
Again, there are many more Georgian white wines, but I am not as familiar with the others.
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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #16 on: August 30, 2012, 10:23:55 AM »
ROSE WINES

I am not really a Rose drinker but one nice one is:-

Saperavi Rosé – Telavi  (costs up to £10/bottle)

This medium-bodied crisp rose is made from 100% handpicked Saperavi grapes, from the famous Kondoli Vineyards in Kakheti. While most rosé and red wines obtain their colour from the skins of red grapes, Saperavi grapes are unusual in that their juice is already coloured a pinky red. For this saperavi rosé, the skins are left in contact with the juice for only 8-10 hours.

Light pink in colour, with varietal saperavi aromas of blackcurrant, and ripe peach and raspberry. Lots of red fruit on the palate and a spicy, long and well balanced finish.

Would go well with fish and cold meats, also with summer picnics and barbeques.

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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #17 on: August 30, 2012, 10:24:40 AM »
BRANDY

I only got back from Ukraine a day or two ago, and while there this trip I was introduced to some great Georgian Brandy. Usually the spirit of choice over there is Ukrainian Horilka or a good Cognac, but now there is Brandy.

Not really being a connoisseur of Brandies and Cognacs, I am not that familiar with many of them but below are a few good ones and some general information on Georgian Brandy.  Best of all, its good stuff and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.


David Sarajishvili is considered to be the founding father of genuine brandy production in Georgia and indeed in the whole former Russian empire.  He learnt his skills in the Charentes region of France (the home of Cognac) and on his return founded the first company making wine brandy in Georgia in 1884.  Since then the company has gone on to win numerous prizes and has continued its founder’s legacy.

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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #18 on: August 30, 2012, 12:25:25 PM »
Sarajishvili VS

This is a superior blend of oak aged base brandies of around 6 to 8 years old, with the addition of selected brandies of around 15 years old to enrich the final blend.  It has a refined nose and deep amber brown colour.  Aromas of golden sultanas and bonfire toffee lead to a smooth and gently rounded palate with good depth and balance from that lengthy oak ageing.
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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #19 on: August 30, 2012, 12:25:59 PM »
Sarajishvili VSOP  (costs up to £25/bottle)

This very special oak matured blend averages 8 to 10 years old and includes some carefully selected brandies as old as 20 years to add true depth and complexity.   It’s deep amber in colour with aromas of toffee and dried vine fruits.  Warming but smooth and rich to taste with notes of vanilla, dates and espresso coffee, and a long after-taste.

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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #20 on: August 30, 2012, 12:52:09 PM »
One that I liked very much is a fairly cheap one price wise.

Iverioni 5 *

This Brandy is more balanced and has a little more depth than the 3 *, is a bit more balanced, delicate and complex. Alcohol is less noticeable. The flavors and aromas can clearly capture the sweetness of toffee, milk and honey, peanut butter and buckwheat honey. Pleasant on the palate, due to the smoothness and sweetness

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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #21 on: August 30, 2012, 12:56:08 PM »
Here you can see the Iverioni Brandy next to a bottle of Georgian wine (Kartuli Vazi) at my wifes birthday party celebration that we held in Ukraine.




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Re: Georgian Wines and Spirits
« Reply #22 on: August 30, 2012, 01:42:37 PM »
Well that's a brief outline of just a few of the better Georgian alcoholic drinks that are available. There are lots more, including sparkling wines. If you haven't already tried some, I hope you do soon and that you find them as interesting and palatable as we do on a regular basis.


Enjoy!
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Re: FSU Wines and Spirits
« Reply #23 on: August 30, 2012, 10:27:15 PM »
Very nice, Chris!

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Re: FSU Wines and Spirits
« Reply #24 on: August 30, 2012, 11:06:10 PM »
Next to Georgia is the disputed Republic and de facto independent country, Abkhazia (Абхазия). Two insane blights on humanity, Stalin and Beria, are largely responsible for the division and fighting today in the region but that is another story. Part of the Georgian Kingdom between the 9th and 6 centuries BC, and then later folded into Soviet Georgia by Stalin prior to his reign of terror and genocide in Abkhazia, the people of Abkhazia share a culture and geography with Georgia.


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(Stalin's Abkhazia dacha.)


After killing hundreds of thousand of Abkhazia's native peoples, deporting thousands more to Siberia and forcibly moving Georgian farm families into Abkhazia for ethnic cleansing purposes, Stalin chose one of Abkhazia's special places as one of his favourite dacha locations overlooking the Black Sea. Born and raised in neighboring Georgia, Stalin loved Georgian wines.


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(Black Sea view from Stalin's dacha.)


Situated next to Georgia, Abkhazia is not as well known for producing high quality vintages, but it should be. The soil composition, sunlight and sea air are the same. The clear mountain streams run from the same sources and as for the climate, like Georgia, Abkhazia is well suited for making fine wines.


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We should note that Georgian and Abkhazia make fine wines from a number of fruits and berries in addition to the cultivation of specialized grape varietals. Some of the best wineries require a bit of a climb...


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