Kvevri - The starting point of winemaking history

 

Georgia is the birthplace of wine: The country is known as the "cradle of wine," as in 2017, archaeologists have traced the world's first known wine creation in Georgia. The estimated age of the winemaking culture in Georgia is 8000 years. Early Georgians made wine at least 6000BC when they discovered grape juice could be turned into wine after burying Kvevris underground.

 

History is not the only reason why Georgians are proud of their winemaking culture. The reasons also are a unique way of making wine and more than 525 species of grape.

 

Georgia - The birthplace of wine without any doubt

 

Only archeological excavations are not the reason why Georgia is known as the birthplace of wine. Grape and wine have always been sacral for Georgians. Wine is associated with the national identity of Georgia.

 

There are 4000 species of grape in the world, and more than 13% are from Georgia! It does not matter where the land is: In the west, east, or somewhere else. If it is in Georgia, then they definitely have planted a grape. More than 525 species are for every kind of climate and ground.

 

With hundreds of grape species, Georgians make many kinds of wine with their unique technique of winemaking - Kvevri.

 

What is Kvevri?

 

The kvevri is an egg-shaped earthenware vessel used for making, aging, and storing wine. It is the oldest way of making wine and because of its history and uniqueness, kvevri winemaking method was given UNESCO status of non-material cultural heritage. The Kvevri wine has a unique aroma and flavor which is characteristic only for this type of wines. Kvevri is so important for Georgians that they even made the film in 1970 named "Kvevri".

 

Making wine with these egg-shaped earthenware vessels is maybe easy on the eye, but very hard to do. Putting kvevris under the ground, cleaning them, and making wine there needs big knowledge and experience. Georgians have both.

 

What actually does kvevri to wine?

 

Oak barrels are very widely used for wine and other spirits as well. The wood gives specific flavor, color, and characteristics that make alcohol unique. Kvevri does the same, but it is much older and much unique way to make wine and also kvevri is only used in Georgia, nowhere else in the world.

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The process is very easy to understand: Grapes are pressed before they enter kvevri. After grapes juice is poured into kvevri, fermentation begins. Fermentation begins after a few days and continues for 2-4 weeks until solid mass sinks from the surface.

 

Kvevri is always covered with stone lids for its hermetic seal. Wine is usually left for a minimum of 4-6 months to mature. After that, wine is transferred to a cleaned kvevri or another storage vessel until bottling. Sometimes, it is bottled right away.

 

What makes kvevri wines unique?

 

Kvevri wines are the first ones in history. Their uniqueness is not only the history, but its color, , taste, and everything. Kvevri wines are intensely aromatic. Its texture and tannin are remarkable and different.

 

Nowadays people who are looking for something new are really surprised by orange wines. Mostly they don't know that orange wine origin is Georgia. Making wine with grape juice and its skin as well is the traditional Georgian method of winemaking and for Georgians, it's no big deal, it's the thing they have been doing for already 8000 years.