Club Oenologique: 19 Georgian Wines Win Gold at IWSC 2024
The British wine and spirits magazine Club Oenologique has published an article about 19 of the best Georgian wines.
If you’ve ever attended a Georgian feast (called a supra), you’ll know how deeply respected wine is in the country. Often referred to as the “cradle of wine,” Georgia has a rich winemaking heritage. Archaeologists have unearthed ancient winemaking tools—such as pruning knives and stone presses—dating back 8,000 years. One legend even tells of warriors weaving vine cuttings into their armor to protect their hearts, so that if they were to fall in battle, vines would grow from their chests.
In the 20th century, Georgia was the main wine supplier for much of the Soviet Union. However, after gaining independence in the 1990s, the Soviet “wine factories” disappeared, making way for small-scale producers who focus on quality over quantity.
Today, Georgia finds itself—perhaps unintentionally—at the forefront of modern winemaking. Fermentation in large clay vessels known as qvevris is a traditional Georgian method that is now being embraced by some of the most influential winemakers around the world. What some consider a trend—natural or amber wine—has been produced in Georgia for millennia.
One such amber wine—Kardanakhi 1888, Tsarapi 2020—won a gold medal at this year’s IWSC, receiving an impressive score of 97/100. During tasting, the jury noted aromas of “golden raisins and freshly baked cake, with warm apricot and sweet spice notes,” and described the palate as “velvety, complex, yet silky in structure.”
Georgia took home an impressive number of gold medals this year at IWSC, including one for a red wine made from the indigenous Saperavi grape, which scored 96 points. Saperavi, meaning “color,” is known for producing rich, tannic wines with notes of licorice, plum, and spice. It is also sometimes made in a semi-sweet style.
Before the expert panel began blind tasting, all Georgian wines at IWSC 2024 were grouped by color and style. Master of Wine Sarah Abbott oversaw the evaluation, both during the judging held in Georgia and at a dedicated showcase for the press and wine buyers in London.
How does IWSC judge wine?
IWSC conducts a rigorously structured and professional wine tasting process. Each wine sample is pre-poured into numbered glasses and evaluated by a panel of judges through blind tasting. The judges are experts across all sectors of the wine industry.
You can view the full list of judges for more details.
What is the wine scoring system?
Only the best wines are awarded gold or silver medals. For example, gold medals are given to wines that score between 95 and 100 points. Silver medal winners must score between 90 and 94 points. For more on the scoring system, visit the official link.
Presenting the 19 top-winning Georgian wines at IWSC Wine Judging in Georgia, along with the jury’s evaluations:
- Kardanakhi 1888 LLC, Tsarapi 2020
- Mildiani Family Winery, Mukuzani Reserve 2018
- Mildiani Family Winery, Khikhvi Qvevri Bouquet 2018
- LTD Kakheti Company, Bedoba Orange 2021
- Lopota, Chateau Buera Mtsvane Qvevri Reserve 2020
- Satsnakheli, Kakhuri Mtsvivani 2020
- Lionidzis Zvari, Saperavi Reserve 2019
- Badagoni, Saperavi Kosher 2018
- LTD Brica, Kisi Qvevri 2022
- Mildiani Family Winery, Brut Reserve 2015
- LLC Alazani, Tsinandali 2022
- Kartveli, Gvariani Tsinandali 2022
- Uplistsikhe Estate LLC, Goruli Mtsvane 2022
- Vazisubani Estate LLC, Kisi Qvevri 2021
- Askaneli Brothers LLC, Muza 2019
- Mildiani Family Winery, Saperavi Reserve 2013
- Askaneli Brothers LLC, Kakhuri Mtsvane Qvevri 2021
- Doctor’s Bio-cellar, Rkatsiteli 2021
- Vardiashvili Family Wine, Saperavi 2021
Georgia is a place of joy and laughter. And most importantly,() it is a place where there is heartfelt hospitality.