Qvevri Archives - Dr. Liz Thach, MW

Day Two of Georgian Wine Tour – Visit the Kartli Region and Chateau Mukhrani

(March 2016) After only about six hours of sleep, it was time to get up, grab some breakfast and jump on the bus to drive about one hour north of Tbilisi to the Kartli wine region. This is one of the oldest wine regions in the country, and is well known for its limestone soils and windy evenings, that promote fresh acids in wine. Hilltop Monestery Taken From Bus Window Guramishvili Historical Wine Cellar The drive was beautiful along a winding river, with views of ancient hilltop monasteries in the distance. Our first stop was Guramishvili Marani with its famous historical [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2022-12-20T08:32:56-08:00April 18, 2016|

How to Make Wine in a Qvevri – Traditional Georgian Winemaking

(March 2016) Before visiting Georgia, I had only heard the word “qvevri,” but had never actually seen one, except in photos. Though may people mix them up with amphorae, they are different. A qvevri is used to ferment and age wine, and is buried in the ground. An amphora is used to transport wine and is not buried in the ground. Qvevri That Have Been Removed from Marani (Cellar Where They are Buried) The other interesting thing about qvevri is they come in many different sizes. Most hobby winemakers in Georgia (this includes many people who live in the country [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T14:11:20-08:00April 16, 2016|

Day One of Wine Tour – Tbilisi and the Georgian National Museum

(March 2016) The next morning, I awoke very excited about the first official day of our wine tour organized by the Georgian Wine Association. The first stop was fittingly the Georgian National Museum where we were welcomed with a short lecture overviewing the wine industry, and then invited to tour the museum in order to see the oldest winemaking equipment and pips in the world. Oldest Qvevri in the World We saw the oldest qvevri, carbon dated at over 8000 years. It was smaller than I expected, but then it was explained that many people in Georgia make wine in [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T14:11:44-08:00April 15, 2016|

Master Tasting at Khareba Winery and Opening a Qvevri to Taste the Baby Wine

(March 2016) We were welcomed to Khareba Winery by an amazing site. A group of polyphonic singers seranaded us, while chefs prepared traditional Georgian food over an open fire (see video here). We were invited to help cook fresh breads, dumplings filled with herbs and minced lamb, and the amazing "churchkhela," which look like long salamis. In actuality they are walnuts placed on a string and then dipped in a molten pot of hot grape juice. They taste almost like candy. Polyphonic Singers in Black Robes, with cooking pots over fire Churchkhela. Photo by Levan Gokadze Opening the Qvevri and Tasting [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T14:13:48-08:00April 9, 2016|