Georgian Wines Have Finally Arrived — rkatsiteli

Wine is one of the oldest and most beloved alcoholic beverages in the world. It has been enjoyed by people for thousands of years and is considered a staple at social gatherings and celebrations.

However, over time, the production process of wine has changed, with many winemakers using preservatives to improve the taste and extend the wine’s shelf life. While these preservatives may seem harmless, they can have a negative impact on the environment and our health. That's why many people are turning to preservative-free or natural wine, which offers a host of benefits.

What Are Preservatives in Wine?

Preservatives are chemicals that are added to wine to prevent spoilage and maintain freshness. The most common preservatives used in wine are sulphites, which are compounds that contain sulphur dioxide. Sulphites are used to prevent oxidation, inhibit the growth of bacteria and yeast, and preserve the wine's flavour and aroma. They are also used to sterilise equipment and barrels during the winemaking process.

While sulphites are generally considered safe for consumption, they can cause adverse reactions in some people, particularly those with asthma or sulphite sensitivity. In rare cases, sulphites can also cause anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.

Why Drink Preservative-Free Wine?

Here’s why buying preservative-free wine is well worth it:

1. Better For Your Health:

Preservative-free wines are made without the use of any synthetic additives, which means they are free from sulphites and other harmful chemicals. This makes them a healthier choice for people with asthma, sulphite sensitivity, or other health conditions. Studies have shown that preservatives can cause headaches, respiratory problems, and other health issues, so choosing a preservative-free wine can help you avoid these risks.

2. Better for the Environment:

Preservative-free wines are also better for the environment. Sulphites and other preservatives can have a negative impact on the environment when they are released into the air or water. By choosing a preservative-free wine, you are reducing your carbon footprint and helping to protect the planet.

3. More Natural Taste:

A preservative-free wine has a more natural taste, as they are made without any synthetic additives. These wines are made using organic grapes and natural fermentation methods. As a result, the wine tastes more natural and has a more distinct flavour profile. If you are a wine enthusiast who enjoys exploring the nuances of different wines, preservative-free wines are an excellent choice.

4. More Affordable:

Preservative-free wines are often more affordable than traditional wines, as they are made with fewer additives and are often produced on a smaller scale. This makes them a great choice for wine enthusiasts who want to enjoy high-quality wine without breaking the bank.

5. Supports Small Winemakers:

Choosing preservative-free wines is also a great way to support small winemakers who are passionate about producing high-quality wines. These winemakers often use traditional winemaking techniques and are committed to using only the best ingredients, resulting in a superior product.

How to Choose Preservative-Free Wines

Here are some tips to help you choose the right preservative-free wine for your tastes:

• Look for Organic Wines: As mentioned earlier, natural wine is made from grapes that are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilisers. So, look for wines that are certified organic by a recognised certification body.
• Check the Label: Wines that are labelled as "natural" or "minimal intervention" are often preservative-free. Look for wines that have a short list of ingredients and no added sulphites.
• Know Your Grapes: Certain grape varieties are more resistant to disease and require fewer chemicals to grow. Look for wines made from grapes, like Saperavi, which are less likely to have been treated with synthetic chemicals.
• Research the Winery: Many small, independent wineries produce preservative-free wines. Look for wineries that are committed to sustainable and organic farming practices, and that use natural fermentation methods to produce their wines.
• Read Reviews: Read reviews from other wine enthusiasts who have tried preservative-free wines. Look for reviews that describe the wine's flavour profile, body, and acidity.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab a bottle (or two) of the tastiest preservative-free, organic red wine from Tamada and enjoy it with your loved ones!

Nothing tells you more about the spirit and culture of a country than its native food and wine. And Georgia’s food and wine is amongst the best in the world. It may surprise you to know that Georgia has the oldest continuous unbroken tradition of wine making in the world, stretching back over 8,000 years and today, there are more than 500 indigenous grape varieties still cultivated here.

A quick look at its geographical position and its landscape shows you why it is the perfect place to grow grapes. Georgian cuisine offers a variety of dishes, with liberal use of various tasty herbs and spices. Each historical province of Georgia has its own distinct culinary tradition, such as Megrelian, Kakhetian, and Imeretian cuisines. And while meat plays an important part in Georgian cuisine, very close attention is also paid to the locally produced salads, vegetables, fruit and greens. Many people come to Georgia and marvel at the sweet tasting produce and wonder how such flavour can be grown here. Again, the secret is in our history, location and soil type.

Georgia is the Cradle of Wine – Many discoveries have left historians inno doubt that Georgia is the birthplace of wine. Ancient wine vessels made of clay, bronze and silver; gold cups for drinking wine; wine barrels dated to the 2nd or even 3rd millennium BC; and vine seeds found in the ancient tombs of the Bronze age all leave a continuous story of the history of Georgian wine. White grape varieties Today, over 500 varieties of grape grow in this small country and Georgian wines are well known for their unique properties and characteristics. The warm climate and moist air from the Black Sea provides perfect conditions to produce superb wine. The diverse landscape and numerous climate zones enable the production of far more varieties of grapes than virtually any other country in the world.

The main grape types include: White grapes: Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane Kakhuri, Khikhvi, Kisi, Kakhuri Mtsvane, Chinuri, Goruli Mtsvane, Tsolikouri, Tsitska, Krakhuna, Rachuli Tetra, Sakmiela, Avasirkhva. Red grapes: Saperavi, Tavkveri, Otskhanuri Sapere, Shavkapito, Alekhandrouli, Mujuretuli, Dzelshavi, Usakhelouri, Orbeluri Ojaleshi, Ojaleshi, Chkhaveri. The Rkatsiteli grape creates a robust white wine full of character, with many varieties and brands. The increasingly famous red Saperavi grapes provide powerful and fiery wines with an aroma of plums, spices and almonds. In the Kakheti region you will also discover the delicious naturally formed semi-sweet wines of Kindzmarauli and Akhasheni.

Wine Regions of Georgia – The history of  wine in the Kakheti region can be traced back to the sixth millennium BC. Wine has been produced using the unique and traditional style of Qvevri – clay pots submerged into the ground which are used to ferment and create delicious, unfiltered, organic wines. Driving through the region you cannot fail to be impressed with the number of vines and vineyards, but wine production is not only restricted to the Kakheti region. The famous semi-sweet wine of Khvanchkara is found up in the foothills of the high Caucasus in the beautiful Racha region. And you can add Shida Kartli, Kvemo Kartli, Imereti, Samegrelo, Guria, Samtskhe-Javakheti and Adjara; every region can surprise you with different tastes of their wines, colours and aromas.

Georgian Traditional Winemaking – Among red wines the barrique method of barrel fermentation and storage is now virtually standard practice. However the old Caucasian method of wine production is still widely practiced in Georgia, mostly in the eastern part of Georgia, particularly Kakheti in which grapes are placed in large, earthenware vessels called Qvevri, buried in the ground, sealed and left for several months to reach a natural and delicious maturity. An early type of Qvevri was found on Mount Khrami and is believed to date back to the 6th millennia BC and many qvevri from this and later periods have been found in both Eastern and Western Georgia. Despite similarities in their use, however, Western and Eastern Georgian i.e Colchian and Iberian Qvevri – called Churi in Western Georgia – differed from one another in terms of shape, manufacture, colour and decoration.

RTVELI – Wines from Georgia Tasting at The important and magical time of Rtveli or grape harvesting, is held in autumn, once the grain crops are gathered in and in every home there are baskets full of locally produced pomegranates, pears, apples and peaches. In the fine early mornings during Rtveli, the vineyards fill up with cheerful calls, the Rtveli merry songs. The grapes are harvested using a Godori – a large basket made of branches from a cherry tree. This is the time of year to prepare the famous and delicious Churchkhelas. You start to prepare it far in advance by stringing together as many walnuts as possible and placing them into Tatara, a mixture of grape juice and flour which is cooked in a pot. The walnuts are removed from the Tatara and dried, placed into the Tatara again and dried once more. The Churchkhelas are then ready.

Georgian Cuisine and the “Supra” – Original and very specific to the country, Georgian cuisine is the natural extension of a fertile, mineral-rich landscape fed by the pure waters of the Caucasus Mountains. The cuisine offers a variety of dishes, high in herbs and spices, and a mix of vegetarian and meat dishes: organic fresh meats like pork or lamb, chicken or fish, hazelnuts and walnuts,various sorts of cheese, pickles and pungent seasonings; eggplants, plums, corn, pomegranates, kidney beans, wild herbs, coriander, scallions, hot peppers, mint, basil, garlic and much, much more fill homes and restaurants all around the country every day. Sounds great, doesn’t it? We look forward to welcoming you to Georgia!