Georgia has been relatively unknown to most Indians who might still think of it being one of the States in the US, but thanks to ease in getting visas and Indigo Airlines starting direct flights to the Georgian Capital Tbilisi, cutting down the travel time by half, it has become the ‘Flavour of the Month’ for travelers visiting the country connecting Asia with Europe, thus imbibing both the cultures and yet keeping an identity of its own because of its old history.

Georgia has a very rich history of winemaking in the last 8000 years and is known as the Cradle of Wine. The use of Qvevries has been documented as the process for making wines with the least interference, for centuries. Its use increased significantly after UNESCO recognised this process of winemaking in 2013. But still less than 5% of all wines produced in Georgia is in Qvevries –in fact only one of the 8 wines tasted at the tasting at Captain’s Cellar organised in conjunction with the Embassy of Georgia was a Qvevri Dry wine 2019 using a blend of two local grapes –Rkatsiteli 70% and Goruli Mtsvane- a local grape with different characteristics than Mtsvane (30%).

Also Read : Making of K’AVSHIRI Wines: A Georgian Symphony of grapes by Two Maestros

Here is a list of white and red wines Tasted. Chateau Mukhrani prides itself for making wines from organic grapes.

1. Goruli Mtsvane 2023 Mukhrani-Blend of Goruli Mtsvane (85%) and Chinuri, thus qualifying to be called a singular grape variety from Kartli region. Delicious start of the evening.

2. Mtsvane Kakhuri Tamada (100% Mtsvane grape) made from grapes in the Kakhuri region by GWS. Not bad considering it sells for half the price of #1 above.

3. Secret Collection Dry white 2020 Mukhrani- The majority was Rkatsiteli (46%) but Chardonnay (33%) in the blend aged separately and with 6-8 months of Battonage, and a touch of Sauvignon Blanc (12%), Goruli Mtsvane (7%) and balance Muscat (2%), made this wine very perfumed, fruit forward and with good balance, made the wine delicious with most snacks.

4. Qvevri Dry Wine 2019 Mukhrani with a Blend of 70% Rkatsiteli and the balance being Goruli Mtsvane, was darker golden, nutty, full body wine with a bit of honey and earthy nuances on the palate. Excellent wine with a touch of tannins that made it fuller on the mouth. This wine needs a few tastings before one falls in love with this amber wine (Georgians do not like to call it Orange wine). It was a divine match with the fried fish and fries, made rather delicately by the Chef. For a food-wine match it would rate 100/100.

Also Read : Wine Travels Feature: K.I.S.S. Georgia- the Cradle of Wine in Europe

RED WINES

5. Saperavi Dry red 2021 Tamada: This wine was a testimonial to the generally welcome conclusion that the signature grape of Georgia make excellent wines, whatever be the price and style. Made from 100% grapes from Kakheti region (AOC Tsinandali), the wine had low alcohol of 12%. The ruby colour wine had oaky perfumes of red fruits. The full bodied tannic wine good structure would be excellent with red meats and also mushroom dishes.

6. Secret Collection Dry Red 2019 Mukhrani– The red sibling of the white wine from Mukhrani, had been aged in oak barrels for 18 months (including a small quantity in clay amphoras). It is an elegant wine with good finesse and balance and well-rounded wine.

7. Reserve Royal Shavkapito Dry red 2019 – This was a new grape for me from Kartli region. It was a spicy wine with a tinge of smokiness and flavours of sour red fruits like sour red cherries. Elegant and homogenous Ruby coloured wine. Also stored for 18 months in oak and rested for a year in bottles before releasing, well rounded wine with good and long after taste.

Also Read : Wine and Food Travel: Qvevri Wine Making Tradition of Georgia

8. Grand Reserve Dry Red 2017– I could not resist asking for a refill of this wine-twice. Quite powerful and tannic structure, made this wine age-worthy and it would still age for a few more years. Slightly spicy wine, it is excellent for Indian palates. Complex wine with velvety, ripe tannins, it was full on the palate and a warm feeling left on the gullet after every sip.

The guided tasting was carried out by Mikheil before the guests were invited to drink whichever wine they liked-my choice was #4 and #8 as they were the best matched with food. The service of the staff at the Captain’s Cellar was excellent and they are soon becoming the best wine lounge in town and will surely attract all such guided tastings in town soon. The Enomatic machine service is also very inviting for those who want to taste a glass or two.

Also Read : K.I.S.S. Georgia-the Oldest Wine Producing Nation

An interesting point of observation was that all the wines were relatively low on alcohol, mostly being in12-13% range-not easy to find, with global warming hitting everywhere,

Also Read : We Recommend: Tbilvino Saperavi Red from Georgia

Georgian wines are new in town but Saperavi is a popular grape that has been in the city many years earlier, courtesy Tbilvino winery in Tbilisi. However, the intricacies of the wine business in India make it a difficult medium term preposition though Chateau Mukhrani will have the first mover advantage. An informal chat with many in the Lounge suggested that they would love to drink these wines again. I hope their voice reaches the corridors of senior management through the two senior participants.

Also Read : Tasting at Georgia-the Cradle of Wine

It was also good to see Ambassador Jaoshvilii mixing with other Diplomats and invitees to gauge their reaction to Georgian wines. Having visited the country twice and visiting several wineries and tasting their wines at various international platforms I would certainly encourage them to enter but after studying the government policies and how they have been getting gradually more regressive so far.

Gaumarjos ! Cheers!! Jai Ho!!!

Subhash Arora