15 Surprising Facts About Georgian Wine
Even seasoned wine drinkers are often surprised by how much history and distinctiveness sits behind Georgian wine.
At Corus Imports, we love sharing these facts with restaurants, retailers, and curious drinkers alike—whether you're building a wine list, educating staff, or just deepening your own appreciation.
15 Facts Worth Knowing
Georgia is widely considered the birthplace of wine, with archaeological evidence of winemaking dating back roughly 8,000 years.
Georgia's traditional qvevri winemaking method is recognized on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
A qvevri is a large, egg-shaped clay vessel traditionally buried underground for fermentation and aging.
Georgia is home to more than 500 indigenous grape varieties—far more than most wine-producing countries.
Of those 500+ varieties, only a relatively small number are grown commercially at scale.
Kakheti, Georgia's largest wine region, produces roughly 70% of the country's total wine output.
Saperavi, Georgia's signature red grape, is a rare "teinturier" variety—its juice, not just its skin, carries deep color.
Amber (or "orange") wine—made from white grapes fermented with their skins—originated in Georgia long before it became an international trend.
Rkatsiteli is one of Georgia's oldest and most widely planted white grape varieties.
Georgia has five main wine-producing regions, each with distinct climates and grape profiles: Kakheti, Kartli, Imereti, Racha-Lechkhumi, and Adjara/Guria.
Khvanchkara and Kindzmarauli are naturally semi-sweet red wines made from Saperavi and other regional grapes, without added sugar.
Georgian wine exports to Russia were banned in 2006, forcing the industry to modernize and diversify into new international markets.
Georgian wine exports to the U.S. have shown strong recent growth, with Georgia increasingly recognized by sommeliers as an emerging quality region.
Georgia's Tamada tradition—a designated toastmaster at gatherings—reflects how deeply wine is woven into Georgian social and cultural life.
Some qvevri vessels remain in continuous use for 50 years or more once buried.
Explore Georgian Wines with Corus Imports
At Corus Imports, we proudly import authentic Georgian wines from respected producers including Marani, Mosmieri, Kalo, Vine Ponto, and GRW—each carrying forward a piece of this remarkable history.
Final Sip
Georgian wine isn't just old—it's foundational to the entire history of wine as we know it. Ready to taste that history for yourself?
Browse our portfolio or contact us to get started.
