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Once I went on vacation to wonderful Georgia with my family. For me, this country is amazing and important, because my roots come from there. I know a lot about the traditions of Georgian cuisine, weddings and holidays. However, this time I was told about another interesting thing for me – qvevri.
The first time I heard this word, I immediately thought that this was another Georgian dish, possibly made from dough. I was wrong! It turns out that this is a special technology with which you can get an unusual wine.
In my life I have heard about different ways of making wine, but this is the first time I have learned about this. Especially in a country where I know almost everything! I want to tell you more about this technology and, in general, about the wine that is made in qvevri. I learned about this from a local winemaker. In his area, he became popular precisely because of his wine.
This story was told by our subscriber Sergo.
What is qvevri?
Qvevri is not a technology itself, but a special product made of ceramics. It looks like a huge jug that has no handles. All this is due to the fact that the vessel is needed only for aging wine, and not for bottling it.
Important! This method is so old and unique that it has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Qvevri have a large volume, which can reach 2 tons. The national qvevri does not have a flat bottom, since it is not put in cellars, but buried in the ground right up to the very neck. But these are the nuances of production technology.
I was surprised when I first saw this vessel. He is huge, really the size of a man. It can hold a lot of wine. Qvevri itself is made from clay mixed with gold, silver or copper.
Lime and noble metals react with acids from grapes, due to which a unique alcohol is obtained.
Qvevri wine production technology
As for the production technology, here is a whole culture and local flavor:
- To begin with, the grapes are pressed so that all the juice comes out of it. After that, the nectar itself, together with the pulp, is placed in a vessel.
- The vessel is dug into the ground in advance. In the garden, where Qvevri is usually buried, there should be a lot of space, since the vessel itself is rather big.
- After, when the period of active fermentation begins, the neck is left open. The pulp rises with a cap up, gas is released.
- After the violent reaction has passed and the wine has won back, the vessel is sealed until the onset of heat, most often until spring.
- As soon as the time comes, the wine is scooped out with a special ladle. The container is washed, and the wine is poured into another container.
I have never seen such a unique technology for making wines. To be honest, my eyes popped out of my head when they scooped out the wine. Here is the color! Not surprisingly, Georgia has been famous for this for many years.
Important! Vessels that can be seen on the streets of Georgia are unsuitable for qvevri. These are containers that are already out of use.
What kind of wines are produced
The taste, color and aroma of the wine depend on the grapes from which the alcohol was made. Strong in structure, with a sweet aroma and a dry taste, they got me a Qvevri wine. The acidity of the wine is high, so it is often served with light snacks.
Important! A good winemaker starts working with wine right from the vineyard, which is why the risk for a traveler to try wine with added chemicals in Georgia is zero.
In kvevri, both white and red wine are made on the pulp. I was wondering how they differ fundamentally. White wine has a rich amber color, as well as the aroma of brewed black tea with the addition of roses. The wine is tart, dense, full-bodied.
Red wine, on the contrary, is stronger, but also has a sweet aroma, although its taste is absolutely dry. For general development, I was prompted by the names of the most famous wines in Georgia:
- red – Saperavi, in honor of the grape variety;
- white – Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane, Kisi.
Where can I buy and how much do wines produced in Qvevri cost?
The best tannin wines can only be found in Georgia itself. As the Georgians themselves say, those wines that they make themselves are not put up for sale, and those that are sold, they do not drink. Thus, in order to buy quality wine, I went to conquer the mountain peaks.
If you do not have the opportunity to come to this country of beautiful landscapes and delicious cuisine yourself, then wine can be ordered online through various shops. However, these wines are sold at a high premium. If this is not important, then you can take a chance.
The normal Georgian wine I have seen is Satrapezo 10 Kvevri (Satrapezo 10 Kvevri). The price in online stores for it starts from 2988 rubles. In Georgia, such wine will cost about 2500 rubles per bottle.
What do you think about Georgian wines? I can proudly advise you to learn more about the Qvevri wine making technique, as it is a history and tradition that I am proud of! And in fact – it will give a very special flavor to a trip to Georgia.
*Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health!