Georgia

Georgia is probably the oldest winery in the world. It is considered one of the primary centers of domesitcation of the wild vine where, even today, there are numerous specimens of Vitis vinifera silvestris. A nation where more than 500 original varieties of vines can be found, including only a dozen, are officially recognized as the Mtsvane, the Matrusa, the Saperavi and the Rkatsiteli. Its territory is mainly mountainous with a climate that varies from subtropical to temperate. There are 3 macro-regions; in the eastern zone, divided into the districts of Kakheti and Kartli, there is 50% of the vineyards cultivated mainly in Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane, Kisi and Khikhivi. In the district of Kartli traditional vinifications are still used, with fermentation and vinification in huge jars buried in the chaiamte Kvevri soil. Near the town of Imereti is produced a sparkling wine, called Shampanskoye, made with aligoté grapes. The second area is the western one, where, due to the humid climate, viticulture is located in the Colchis region, renowned for the quality of its wines produced from Bainca grape varieties such as Tsolikouri, Tsiska, Krakhauna and Goruli Mtsvane. The utlima zone is that sub tropical humid that includes the zones of Gouria, Adrjaria, Samegrelo and Abkhazia where they are cultivated mainly Tckhaveri and ogialesci vines.