For the snow weary residents of Boston and its suburbs, this weekend provides opportunities to escape the frigid temperatures and piles of snow. On February 14th and 15th the Boston Wine Expo takes place at the Seaport World Trade Center. Wine producers and distributors from around the world will offer 2,000 wines for tasting. A day earlier, on February 13th, Marani wines from the country Georgia will have a tasting from 5:00 – 7:00 at  the Wine Gallery in Brookline. Marani and other Georgian producers will have ten tables at the Boston Wine Expo. What is so unique about wines from this country south of the Greater Caucasus Mountains?

Georgia, Sakartvelo: the Birthplace of Wine

Kathy and I have traveled to wineries and vineyards around the world. If asked what was the most unique and different wine region to visit, we would quickly say Georgia. Although they have very small plantings of the international grape varieties, most of the varietal grapes are ancient grape varieties that are new to many people. You will have an opportunity to taste varieties that are new to you at the Wine Gallery and the Expo. Grape varieties is not the only uniqueness this wine country has to offer. It is widely believed that Georgia is the birthplace of wine. There have been over 8,000 continuous vintages making Georgia the oldest wine region in the world, older than western Europe by thousands of years.

There are many winemaking techniques that have been tried over the millennia. One that has survived for thousands of years is wine made in earthen vessels called qvevris that are buried under ground. Qvevri winemaking is the only winemaking technique that is on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. You will have an opportunity to taste qvevri wines at both the Wine Gallery and the Expo. Our first trip to Georgia was so mind opening that we wrote a book Georgia, Sakartvelo: the Birthplace of Wine. We will have copies of our book with us and be happy to inscribe books. The book discusses the location of the country Georgia, it appellations and appellation wines, qvevri making, qvevri winemaking, its history, culture and monastery wines.

Kathy and I will be at the Wine Gallery on Friday from 5:00 to 7:00. Visit and taste the wonderful wines from this country that is at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.

The Wine Gallery
400 Washington St.
Brookline, MA 02445

Cheers,
Terry