Destination Georgia

Georgia

TRACING ANCIENT WINEMAKING TO MODERN TASTES

Georgia is certainly on the minds of many in the wine trade. Particularly in China, Japan and several other Asian countries where 2019 exports are showing huge growth already, putting it rmly on the map in Asia.

But why are Georgia and Georgian wine gaining such popularity and attention? It seems what is old, is new again. Following an era of globalisation and mass production, we've seen a recent return to demand for craft products, authenticity and sense of place in food, wine and products. There is no better example of a winemaking nation who ts this mould more perfectly than Georgia.

This Spring, Debra Meiburg MW took a group of Hong Kong and China wine professionals to Georgia to visit the wineries and meet the winemakers rsthand.

Starting in the capital city, Tbilisi, the group visited nearby region of Kartli and Georgia's newest o cial region, Bolnisi. They then spent several days in Kakheti visiting wineries and exploring the region - from tiny, traditional boutique producers who've continued their centuries-old family traditions, to larger modern, internationally-focused wineries.

Chateau Mukhrani is a property that fuses traditional and modern. Situated in Kartli region, just 40 minutes' drive northwest of Tbilisi it was founded in 1876. Today's beautiful white Chateau and winery (which began construction in 1873), boasts some of the most modern winemaking technology in the country. Yet, its most recent addition is a marani — a traditional winemaking cellar, complete with qvevri — clay vessels buried underground for wine fermentation, ageing and storage. This symbolises the return to tradition that has been the earmark of the wine renaissance in Georgia.

Kakheti is ground zero for Georgian wine - its most prominent region - responsible for 90% of the country's wine production. The group visited many wineries in the region, including Schuchmann, Papari Valley, Vazisubani, Jakeli, Orgo, Tchotiashvili, Pheasant Tears and more.

Schuchmann, headed by Gogi Dakashvili, is one of the most admired wineries working with traditional-method winemaking. They have just opened a beautiful boutique hotel on the property, yet another emerging feature of the Georgian wine industry: a focus towards wine tourism.

Georgia's wine heritage has been revived by people such as Pheasant Tears' founder, American musician-turned-winemaker John Wurdeman. It has a cult following and is featured at a small number of exclusive restaurants around the world. John recognised Georgia's unique place in the world and rallied the local industry to return to their roots and focus on reviving traditional winemaking and grapes and sharing this unique wine on the world stage.

While many cultures around the world hold wine closely within their social fabric and cultural roots, most who've been to Georgia argue there is no country in the world where wine is so deeply intertwined in the everyday lives of almost every person in the country. Vine Pruning at Shalauri Wine Cellar

Hong Kong Trade Group at VinePonto

Pkhali, traditional Georgian dishes of chopped and minced vegetables combined with ground walnuts and seasonings

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1. Irakli Cholobargia at Shavnabada Monastery 2. Shavnabada Monastery 3. Schuchmann Wines Vinyard 4. China Trade Group on Roof top cellar at Bina37 5. Shilda 6. Satsnakheli (Tchotiashvili wines)

A marani is a traditional Georgian wine cellar, featuring qvevri for wine fermentation and aging

WHERE TO TRY GEORGIAN WINE

GEORGIAN WINE FESTIVAL 2019 - Shanghai 11 Nov 2019 (Mon) | 16:00 - 21:30 Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong

GEORGIAN WINE FESTIVAL 2019 - Hong Kong Trade & Media Session 15 Nov 2019 (Fri) | 16:30 - 18:00 Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong

ANOTHER PLACE BY DAVID MYERS

5/F, Sea View Estate Block C, 8 Watson Road, Tin Hau, North Point, Hong Kong | +852 2979 0064

LA CABANE WINE BISTRO - Hong Kong 62 Hollywood Rd, Central, Hong Kong | +853 2776 6070

WHERE TO LEARN ABOUT GEORGIAN WINE

BOOK: GEORGIA

A guide to the cradle of wine.

GEORGIAN WINE CONNECT

https://www.facebook.com/georgianwineconnect/

WINES OF GEORGIA IN ASIA

https://www.facebook.com/WinesOfGeorgiaAsia/

15 Nov 2019 SHOWCASE TASTING

Four Seasons Hotel

Taste, toast and savour the festive atmosphere and authentic artisan wines of Georgia at Hong Kong’s Georgian Wine festival - an exclusive, once-a-year only event in Hong Kong

Meet Georgia’s passionate artisan winemakers

Try the incredible array of native grapes – from the famous opulent red saperavi, to crisp, refreshing Tsinandali and many more in between Experience ancient qvevri wine, an 8000-year-old tradition Taste exotic Georgian snacks

For Wine Trade & Media Representatives By invitation only Please contact: daphne@mwminternational.com

TICKETING

Venue

Date Ticketing Four Seasons Hotel Habour View Ball Room (level 4) 15 Nov 2019 (Fri) | 18:00 - 21:30 HKD288

For enquiry, please contact rita@mwminternational.com | +852 2515 0178