tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48256321072770586162024-03-13T13:42:24.229-07:00From the Cradle of WineA blog of Georgian wines, history and culture by
Aaron R. LindermanAaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-68779569412309906202009-04-16T08:14:00.000-07:002009-04-16T08:19:21.360-07:00Vardzia Adventure Race<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GPFSPJ7a2Cw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GPFSPJ7a2Cw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />So it's not exactly wine, but those interested in running, biking and rafting, or just in seeing some of Georgia's rugged landscape, might find <a href="http://www.tourism-association.ge/data/downloads/VARDZIA%20ADVENTURE%20RACE%20Info%20eng%20(1).pdf">this race</a> a lot of fun.<br /><br /><br />A NOTE FROM THE BLOGGER: Yes, I realize postings have become woefully infrequent. Mostly I blame the PhD program I entered in August. However, this blog has not been totally forgotten and I hope to have some sporadic postings this summer.Aaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-44606846214027129832008-08-08T13:43:00.000-07:002008-08-08T19:52:15.071-07:00Buy Georgian Wine!<span style="font-size:300%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">BUY GEORGIAN WINE!</span></span><br /><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7550354.stm"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Russian forces battle Georgians</span></span></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SJ0FnPLc5mI/AAAAAAAAApM/9asc14YESU8/s1600-h/Burning+Georgia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SJ0FnPLc5mI/AAAAAAAAApM/9asc14YESU8/s400/Burning+Georgia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232344513721984610" border="0" /></a>Aaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-28095567257760063422008-06-18T15:40:00.000-07:002008-06-18T16:01:31.603-07:00Georgian Recipes Online<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SFmSGWwaBRI/AAAAAAAAAnc/uNAXSa42kzk/s1600-h/Georgian+Potato+Soup.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SFmSGWwaBRI/AAAAAAAAAnc/uNAXSa42kzk/s400/Georgian+Potato+Soup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213358681543542034" /></a>Today I discovered a wonderful blog of Georgian recipes, aptly titled <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://georgiantaste.blogspot.com/">Delicious Georgian Cuisine</a></span>. I only regret that the blog had a rather short life and is no longer posting recipes. However, there are 48 on the website, and I'm looking forward to trying some. They run the gamut from <a href="http://georgiantaste.blogspot.com/2007/12/georgian-potato-soup.html">soups</a> and <a href="http://georgiantaste.blogspot.com/2007/12/khachapuri-tarkhunit-cheese-and-herb.html">breads</a> to <a href="http://georgiantaste.blogspot.com/2007/12/chakapuli-braised-lamb-chops.html">meats</a> and <a href="http://georgiantaste.blogspot.com/2007/12/georgian-kidney-bean-salad-lobio.html">salads</a>.<br /><br />You'll notice from many of the pictures that Georgian cuisine, not surprisingly, pairs very well with wine.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SFmTsFEe-tI/AAAAAAAAAns/bJppVcawvlM/s1600-h/Badridzhani+Bostneulis+Satenit+-+Stuffed+Eggplant.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SFmTsFEe-tI/AAAAAAAAAns/bJppVcawvlM/s400/Badridzhani+Bostneulis+Satenit+-+Stuffed+Eggplant.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213360429142571730" /></a>Aaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-63662893125281705542008-06-08T15:56:00.000-07:002008-06-12T13:18:39.606-07:00Teliani Valley Tsinandali<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SE3AaJPnrKI/AAAAAAAAAmg/RKiAN5f-Hxo/s1600-h/Teliani+Valley+Tsinandali.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SE3AaJPnrKI/AAAAAAAAAmg/RKiAN5f-Hxo/s400/Teliani+Valley+Tsinandali.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210031899328097442" border="0" /></a>The first two-story winery in recent Georgian history was built in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakheti">Kakheti</a>'s Teliani valley in 1886; today, <a href="http://www.telianivalley.com/">Teliani Valley PLC</a> is heir to that tradition.<br /><br />Teliani Valley describes their 2004 <a href="http://georgianwines.blogspot.com/2007/05/tsinandali-white-wine.html">Tsinandali</a> as a "white dry wine." Though not sweet, the wine lacks the crispness that most people associate with a dry white. To some palates this is a deficiency, but this simplicity of taste can also be seen as the wine's great virtue. When drinking this Tsinandali you are, quite simply, tasting grapes - 80% Rkatsiteli and 20% Mtsvane, harvested in late October - in a very balanced and smooth wine, with a gentle finish.<br /><br />The makers suggest pairing this wine with white meats, vegetables or mushrooms, the last of which would work particularly well.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SE3B0t_6CyI/AAAAAAAAAmo/TGH3f0jXH6k/s1600-h/Georgian+mountains.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SE3B0t_6CyI/AAAAAAAAAmo/TGH3f0jXH6k/s400/Georgian+mountains.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210033455382530850" border="0" /></a>Aaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-85707094927918783552008-06-04T10:16:00.000-07:002008-06-04T16:08:24.610-07:00David the Builder Defeats Turks, Ushers in Golden Age<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SEbddqCJFtI/AAAAAAAAAmI/qCYx4_afINY/s1600-h/David+IV.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SEbddqCJFtI/AAAAAAAAAmI/qCYx4_afINY/s400/David+IV.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208093520669775570" /></a>Since the 1080s the Kingdom of Georgia had been a tributary of the empire of the <a href="http://www.allempires.com/article/index.php?q=Seljuk_empire">Seljuq Turks</a>. In this dark time, known as the Great Turkish Onslaught (<span style="font-style:italic;">didi turkoba</span>), young King David IV (left and below) decided he had had enough. He determined to bring order to the lawless land, reign in the unsubmissive feudal lords, centralize the state administration and build an army which could drive the Turks from Georgia and indeed the whole Caucasus.<br /><br />While the Turks were dealing with the First Crusade, King David gathered his forces, consisting not only of ethnic Georgians but also <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kipchaks_in_Georgia">Kipchak</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alans">Alan</a> nomads and "Franks" from Western Europe. Between 1089 and 1100, King David organized cadres of loyal troops to restore order and destroy isolated enemy outposts. He resettled devastated regions, revived the major cities, ceased paying the annual tribute to the Seljuqs and stopped their seasonal migration into Georgia. (At the same time he rejected the Byzantine title of <span style="font-style:italic;">panhypersebastos</span>, roughly translated "prince," indicating his refusal to be the vassal of any nation.)<br /><br />In 1101 King David pushed further, capturing the fortress of Zedazeni, a strategic point for control of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakheti">Kakheti</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereti">Hereti</a>. David began to penetrate deeply into Seljuq territory, as far as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Araxes">Araxes</a> Basin and the Caspian littoral, disrupting Turkish trade throughout the region. In June of 1121 he began laying siege to <a href="http://georgianwines.blogspot.com/2007/04/king-vakhtang-founds-georgian-capital.html">Tbilisi</a>, an ancient Georgian city which had been under foreign rule for centuries.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SEbf73-SRNI/AAAAAAAAAmY/iKubr1o34C0/s1600-h/David+the+Builder.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SEbf73-SRNI/AAAAAAAAAmY/iKubr1o34C0/s400/David+the+Builder.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208096238831027410" /></a>Sultan Mahmud II of the Seljuqs did not look kindly upon King David's attempts to liberate his country and the sultan launched a major counteroffensive, lead by his brother and several leading officials of the empire. Islamic, Georgian, Armenian and Western European sources vary in their accounts, but all agree that the Seljuq army numbered somewhere between 200,000 and 600,000. King David’s had a mere 40,000 Georgians, 15,000 Kipchaks, 500 Alans and 100 Western "Franks." For every one man in his camp there was somewhere between three and ten in the enemy camp.<br /><br />On August 12, 1121, an advanced party of 200 of David's men surprised the Turks and the king then fell with the bulk of his forces upon the flanks of the sultan's army. In a three hour battle at Didgori, the Seljuq forces were defeated, leaving behind large amounts of booty as they fled.<br /><br />The victory at the Battle of Didgori broke the enemy's back and the next year King David captured the city of Tbilisi. According to one Georgian chronicler, it became "forever an arsenal and capital for his sons." Though David at first dealt harshly with the Muslims of Tbilisi, the Arab historian <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badr_al-Din_al-Ayni">al-'Ayni</a> records that he eventually relented and "respected the feelings of the Muslims more than Muslim rulers had done."<br /><br />When he later went on to liberate Armenian lands from the Turks as well, he was given the title "Sword of the Messiah." In addition to his political and military skills, King David was also a writer, penning the <span style="font-style:italic;">Galobani sinanulisani</span> ("Hymns of Repentance"), free-verse poetry.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SEbekZSubxI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/2Wh4CenQMXk/s1600-h/Gelati+ceiling.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SEbekZSubxI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/2Wh4CenQMXk/s400/Gelati+ceiling.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208094735946641170" /></a>King David died on January 24, 1125, and was buried at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gelati_Monastery">Gelati Monastery</a> (whose ceiling is pictured above). As he requested, he was buried under the stones of the gatehouse, so anyone coming to visit would first step on his tomb, an act of great humility from such an accomplished man.<br /><br />A friend of the church and a promoter of Christian culture, David the Builder was canonized by the Georgian Orthodox Church.<br /><br />The modern flag of Georgia began as the standard of King David and the Order of David the Builder is one of the most prestigious decorations awarded by Georgia. President Mikheil Saakashvili took his oath of office at the tomb of King David.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SEbc_CIuIMI/AAAAAAAAAmA/sMMLQ9YCcdg/s1600-h/Didgori_Memorial.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SEbc_CIuIMI/AAAAAAAAAmA/sMMLQ9YCcdg/s400/Didgori_Memorial.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208092994563875010" /></a>Memorial at DidgoriAaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-7878136644480666772008-05-15T13:07:00.000-07:002008-05-20T13:47:07.549-07:00Akhasheni Red Wine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SDMy3cqDiGI/AAAAAAAAAko/dbrqZeXTfd4/s1600-h/David_Gareja_monastery_complex.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SDMy3cqDiGI/AAAAAAAAAko/dbrqZeXTfd4/s400/David_Gareja_monastery_complex.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202557922709833826" /></a>Like many of Georgia's finest wines, Akhasheni red wine comes from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakheti">Kakheti</a> region (whose <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Gareja_monastery_complex">David Gareja monastery</a> is pictured above). This wine is made from <a href="http://georgianwines.blogspot.com/2007/04/saperavi-grapes.html">Saperavi</a> grapes from the Akhasheni vineyards of the Gurdzhaani district.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SDM4hcqDiHI/AAAAAAAAAkw/kraoFk_Ackg/s1600-h/Akhasheni+grapes.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SDM4hcqDiHI/AAAAAAAAAkw/kraoFk_Ackg/s400/Akhasheni+grapes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202564141822478450" /></a>The wine is naturally semi-sweet and has a dark pomegranate color and a velvety taste with undertones of chocolate. It has 10.5-12.0% alcohol, 3-5% sugar and 5-7% titrated acidity. Akhasheni red wine has been manufactured since 1958.Aaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-13969610572066670182008-05-02T11:59:00.000-07:002008-05-02T14:00:30.946-07:00Marjory Wardrop: A Friend of GeorgiaBorn in London on November 26, 1869, Marjory Scott Wardrop was a life-long friend of Georgia, its people and its literature.<br /><br />She began her <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kartvelian_studies">study of Georgian</a> with nothing more than an alphabet and a Gospel. By the age of twenty she had chosen to devote herself to the study of Georgian. She would eventually master a total of seven languages, the others being French, German, Italian, Russian and Romanian. She not only learned to speak them, but studied the literature of each as well. He travels took her across Europe, to North Africa and to Haiti; she spent three years living in Romania and a decade in various parts of the Russian empire.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SBt_rDtvHUI/AAAAAAAAAkI/Jw981nWdXhc/s1600-h/Ilia+Chavchavadze.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 161px; height: 231px;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SBt_rDtvHUI/AAAAAAAAAkI/Jw981nWdXhc/s400/Ilia+Chavchavadze.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195886972810239298" border="0" /></a>Her command of the Georgian language was so excellent that when she wrote to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilia_Chavchavadze">Ilia Chavchavadze</a> (pictured right) requesting permission to translate <span style="font-style: italic;">The Hermit</span>, a copy of her letter was published in his newspaper, <span style="font-style: italic;">Iveria</span>, as a model of style. When she arrived in Transcaucasia in December, 1894, she was received with great enthusiasm. On this and subsequent travels she met a wide variety of Georgians from every class and formed a number of lasting friendships which resulted in a regular and extensive correspondence in Georgian. “There is hardly a household in the Western Caucasus,” one commentator writes, “where her name is unknown. Others, have studied the language, literature, and history, of Georgia; she in addition felt an affection for the nation, kept herself informed of all that concerned its welfare, and was sometimes able unobtrusively to do good work for it.”<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SBt-5jtvHTI/AAAAAAAAAkA/B7cewVejt8Y/s1600-h/Georgian+Folk+Tales+cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SBt-5jtvHTI/AAAAAAAAAkA/B7cewVejt8Y/s400/Georgian+Folk+Tales+cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195886122406714674" border="0" /></a>Though fragile and weak of body, Wardrop was known for her “subtle humor, strength of mind and warmth of heart.” On three successive occasions – in Port-au-Prince (1902), in St. Petersburg (1905), and in Bucharest (1907) – she found herself in the midst of war, but faced violence and pestilence with calm resolve, always sharing in the perils of those around her.<br /><br />She translated and published <span style="font-style: italic;">Georgian Folk Tales</span> (London, 1894 - cover piece left), <span style="font-style: italic;">The Hermit</span> by Ilia Chavchavadze (London, 1895), <span style="font-style: italic;">The Life of <a href="http://georgianwines.blogspot.com/2007/04/patron-saint-comes-bearing-grapevines.html">St. Nino</a></span> (Oxford, 1900) and <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://georgianwines.blogspot.com/2007/04/knight-sets-out-to-rescue-maiden.html">The Knight in the Panther's Skin</a></span> by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shota_Rustaveli">Shota Rustaveli</a> (London, 1912).<br /><br />She died at Bucharest on December 7, 1909 and was buried at Sevenoaks. Her brother, the British diplomat and scholar of Georgia, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Oliver_Wardrop">Sir Oliver Wardrop</a>, created the Marjory Wardrop Fund at Oxford University “for the encouragement of the study of the language, literature, and history of Georgia, in Transcaucasia.” Her books and manuscripts now reside in Oxford’s Bodleian Library.Aaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-88016077438534268772008-04-30T10:31:00.000-07:002008-04-30T11:01:35.830-07:00Barakoni Red Wine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SBixZjtvHSI/AAAAAAAAAj4/BWZ4EsRFcGg/s1600-h/Barakoni+red+wine.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 171px; height: 198px;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SBixZjtvHSI/AAAAAAAAAj4/BWZ4EsRFcGg/s400/Barakoni+red+wine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195097222813785378" border="0" /></a>Barakoni red wine is grown on the steep slopes of the Rioni gorge in the mountainous western region of Racha (modern-day <a href="http://www.tourism.gov.ge/geo/racha.php">Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti</a>). This wine, made from Alexandreuli and Mudzhuretuli grapes (the same grapes from which <a href="http://georgianwines.blogspot.com/2007/04/khvanchkara-red-wine.html">Khvanchkara </a> is made), is naturally semi-dry. Barakoni is known for its light-ruby color, fragrance of violets, natural pleasant sweetness and a tender harmonious taste. After breathing for a bit, Barakoni contains 10-12% alcohol, 1.5-2.5% sugar and has 5-7% titrated acidity.<br /><br />Produced since 1981, Barakoni wine is named after the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgian_Orthodox">Georgian Orthodox</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barakoni">Barakoni Church</a> of the Mother of God (Georgian: ბარაკონის ღვთისმშობლის ტაძარი), commonly known as Barakoni (ბარაკონი). It is an important surviving example of the medieval tradition of Georgian architecture.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SBixTTtvHRI/AAAAAAAAAjw/L_U6ePxQSWA/s1600-h/Barakoni+Church.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SBixTTtvHRI/AAAAAAAAAjw/L_U6ePxQSWA/s400/Barakoni+Church.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195097115439602962" border="0" /></a>Aaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-38854585757529781332008-04-25T11:48:00.000-07:002008-04-25T12:16:41.706-07:00New Edition of Georgian National Epic Published<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SBIq5ztvHHI/AAAAAAAAAig/W22--k8x0HU/s1600-h/Shota.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 195px; height: 275px;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SBIq5ztvHHI/AAAAAAAAAig/W22--k8x0HU/s400/Shota.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193260492934552690" border="0" /></a>A new edition of the <a href="http://www.sacred-texts.com/asia/mps/index.htm">Wardrop translation</a> of the Georgian national epic, <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://georgianwines.blogspot.com/2007/04/knight-sets-out-to-rescue-maiden.html">The Man in the Panther's Skin</a></span>, by Shota Rustaveli (pictured left in a 1937 painting by Sergo Kobuladze) was released late last year in paperback form by Forgotten Books.<br /><br />A brief passage from the Preface explains some of the appeal of the text:<br /><br /><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">The history of the poem makes it worthy of perusal, for it has been in a unique manner the book of a nation for seven hundred years; down to our own days the young people learned it by heart; every woman was expected to know every word of it, and on her marriage to carry a copy of it to her new home. Such veneration shown for so long a period proves that the story of the Panther-clad Knight presents an image of the Georgian outlook on life, and justifies the presumption that merits tested by the experience of a quarter of a million days, most of them troublous, may be apparent to other races, that such a book may be of value to mankind, and chiefly to those peoples which, like the Georgian, came under the influence of Greek and Christian ideals.</span></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SBIp7ztvHGI/AAAAAAAAAiY/IPEHXYxiCmk/s1600-h/412px-Vepkhistkaosani_zichy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/SBIp7ztvHGI/AAAAAAAAAiY/IPEHXYxiCmk/s400/412px-Vepkhistkaosani_zichy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193259427782663266" border="0" /></a>Shota Rustaveli presents his poem to Queen Tamar, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mih%C3%A1ly_Zichy">Mihály Zichy</a>, 1880sAaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-65069182261588476582008-04-09T06:59:00.000-07:002008-04-09T09:12:27.490-07:00Uplistsikhe: Ancient Center of Georgian Culture<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/R_zaM_Ed32I/AAAAAAAAAiA/_6aw26xs1qQ/s1600-h/uplistsikhe.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/R_zaM_Ed32I/AAAAAAAAAiA/_6aw26xs1qQ/s400/uplistsikhe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187260787447422818" /></a>The name 'Uplistsikhe' (უფლისციხე) literally means 'the lord's fortress'; this ancient city on the Mtkvari River - complete with streets, churches, palaces, concert halls and living quarters - was carved out of the rock, beginning in the 5th century BC. Over the centuries, a unique combination of various architectural styles from Anatolia and Iran would emerge, with pagan and Christian structures eventually standing side by side.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/R_zamfEd33I/AAAAAAAAAiI/HsS_ewpxZJI/s1600-h/Mtkvari+River+and+Uplistsikhe.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/R_zamfEd33I/AAAAAAAAAiI/HsS_ewpxZJI/s400/Mtkvari+River+and+Uplistsikhe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187261225534087026" /></a>Located just 10km east of modern-day <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gori,_Georgia">Gori</a>, Uplistsikhe is one of the oldest urban centers in Georgia and grew to be a key religious, political and cultural center in the Hellenistic period, in part due to its strategic location in the heartland of the Kingdom of Kartli (known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caucasian_Iberia">Iberia</a> to the ancient writers). <br /><br />With the establishment of Christianity in Georgia in 337, the city's importance declined, with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mtskheta">Mtskheta</a> and later <a href="http://georgianwines.blogspot.com/2007/04/king-vakhtang-founds-georgian-capital.html">Tbilisi</a> emerging as the centers of Christian culture. However, due to its ancient greatness, medieval Georgian writers ascribed its foundation to the mythical Uplos, son of Mtskhetos, and grandson of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kartlos">Kartlos</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/R_za_PEd34I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/Y_9Dlv-ZZOs/s1600-h/uplistsikhe+2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/R_za_PEd34I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/Y_9Dlv-ZZOs/s400/uplistsikhe+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187261650735849346" /></a>The city rose to prominence again in the 9th century and became a stronghold during the Muslim conquests, until Genghis Khan destroyed the city in 1240. By the 14th century it was deserted.<br /><br />Several of the most vulnerable parts of the ruins were completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1920. Stability remains a key concern, prompting the Fund of Cultural Heritage of Georgia (a joint project of the <a href="http://www.worldbank.org/">World Bank</a> and Government of Georgia) to launch a conservation program in 2000. Of the original 700 caves, only about 150 remain, though they are well known for their breathtaking beauty.Aaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-61164787635331296842008-04-04T10:47:00.000-07:002008-04-09T09:29:06.420-07:00Georgian Dance Sensation Is Back<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/R_Zrp_Ed3yI/AAAAAAAAAhg/rL1Lvdeqq78/s1600-h/Marika+Tkhelidze.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/R_Zrp_Ed3yI/AAAAAAAAAhg/rL1Lvdeqq78/s400/Marika+Tkhelidze.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185450390012682018" border="0" /></a>On April 29th the famed Erisioni dance company will premier its latest show, <span style="font-style: italic;">Samaia</span>, in Bucharest. (As of this writing, tickets were still <a href="http://www.bilet.ro/concerte/9/259">avaliable</a>.) The performance takes its name from a traditional dance associated with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamar_of_Georgia">Queen Tamar</a> of Georgia, who is celebrated in the Georgian epic poem, <a href="http://georgianwines.blogspot.com/2007/04/knight-sets-out-to-rescue-maiden.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Knight in the Panther's Skin</span></a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/R_ZtS_Ed3zI/AAAAAAAAAho/RcIbuvLDO44/s1600-h/festival+de+cornouaille.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/R_ZtS_Ed3zI/AAAAAAAAAho/RcIbuvLDO44/s400/festival+de+cornouaille.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185452193898946354" border="0" /></a>If this latest show from producer Pascal Jourdan is anything like the last two, it will be well worth seeing. In addition, award-winning singer Marika Tkhelidze (pictured) will be performing with the troupe.<br /><br />The tour will also include a stop at the <a href="http://www.festival-cornouaille.com/presse/">Festival de Cornouaille</a>, where traditional Georgian and Celtic dance will collide on July 21st.<br /><br />And if you need just a little more Erisioni in your life, check out this excellent video, which includes performance clips and interviews with a variety of people involved in the last tour.<br /><br /><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 0px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-043609554910851356 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/A5SgetGy3-8&hl=en"></a><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A5SgetGy3-8&hl=en"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A5SgetGy3-8&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object>Aaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-4274263407504968642008-04-02T10:23:00.000-07:002008-04-04T11:46:25.139-07:00Lelo Fortified Wine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/R_Zo3vEd3wI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/IRRRAyCVThs/s1600-h/Imerti+region.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/R_Zo3vEd3wI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/IRRRAyCVThs/s400/Imerti+region.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185447327700999938" border="0" /></a>Made from Tsitska and Tsolikauri grapes, grown in the Imereti region, Lelo has a golden color, a fruity aroma and a well-balanced taste. (Incidentally, these are the same grapes used to make <a href="http://georgianwines.blogspot.com/2007/04/kolkheti-fortified-white-wine.html">Kolkheti</a> wine.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/R_Zo-_Ed3xI/AAAAAAAAAhY/CMPD3B8hE2g/s1600-h/Tsitska+grapes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/R_Zo-_Ed3xI/AAAAAAAAAhY/CMPD3B8hE2g/s400/Tsitska+grapes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185447452255051538" border="0" /></a>Similar in many ways to the port wines better known in the West, Lelo is a fortified wine, meaning that additional alcohol has been added. Originally this was done to presever the wine, though now it has become a matter of taste. Due to the added sweetness, such wines are sometimes referred to as "dessert wines."<br /><br />The alcohol content is 19%, sugar content 5 %, and an acidity of 6 g/l.Aaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-54600485531229126812008-01-25T05:21:00.000-08:002008-01-25T05:27:17.252-08:00Badagoni Opens New Wine Factory<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/e4WJZrTc6e4&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/e4WJZrTc6e4&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br />This video tells the story of the opening of the Badogoni wine factory and provides some interesting background on the importance of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaverdi_(monastery)">Alaverdi cathedral</a> (pictured below) in the history of Georgian wine.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/R5njezIwwcI/AAAAAAAAAcA/WL0tIPLGr5Q/s1600-h/Alaverdi.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/R5njezIwwcI/AAAAAAAAAcA/WL0tIPLGr5Q/s400/Alaverdi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159404966392152514" /></a><br />Special thanks go out to Nadia Nijaradze for bringing this video to our attention.Aaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-38190896918095736112007-07-23T13:51:00.000-07:002008-04-04T10:03:04.259-07:00Drinking Malice<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/R_Ze3PEd3vI/AAAAAAAAAhI/OHc7BDRavyk/s1600-h/Sergei+Lavrov.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 215px;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/R_Ze3PEd3vI/AAAAAAAAAhI/OHc7BDRavyk/s400/Sergei+Lavrov.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185436323994787570" border="0" /></a>During his recent visit to Sweden, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (pictured), was obliged to drink a cup of malice - both literally and in terms of Russian foreign policy. At a state dinner for the foreign ministers of the <a href="http://www.cbss.st/">Council of Baltic Sea States </a>(CBSS), the wine on the menu was Georgian. It seems that Lavrov took this opportunity to enjoy this world-renouned product, which is <a href="http://georgianwines.blogspot.com/2007/04/russia-bans-georgian-wines.html">banned in Russia</a>.<br /><br />Skeptical? The story comes from the Swedish Foreign Minister himself, Carl Bildt, who <a href="http://carlbildt.wordpress.com/2007/06/13/intensiv-diplomati/">wrote about it on his blog</a>. The Swedish state wine monopoly, <a href="http://www.systembolaget.se/Applikationer/Knappar/InEnglish/">Systembolaget</a>, recently introduced its first Georgian wine - a 2005 Teliani Valley <a href="http://georgianwines.blogspot.com/2007/04/saperavi-grapes.html">Saperavi</a>.<br /><br />Special thanks to the keen eyes of <a href="http://vilhelmkonnander.blogspot.com/">Vilhelm Konnander</a> for catching this story.Aaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-78946233414751559792007-06-23T10:07:00.000-07:002007-06-23T10:50:16.681-07:00Rkatsiteli Grapes<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rn1atlXkATI/AAAAAAAAAPM/pBqc_mbF-DI/s1600-h/rkatsiteli+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079315693915341106" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rn1atlXkATI/AAAAAAAAAPM/pBqc_mbF-DI/s400/rkatsiteli+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rn1ZTFXkAQI/AAAAAAAAAO0/eGapvcOwnMY/s1600-h/rkatsiteli+1.jpg"></a><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rn1ZolXkASI/AAAAAAAAAPE/svR7bLVaVk4/s1600-h/kakheti1.jpg"></a>Rkaksiteli (pronounced "rkah-tsee-tely"; Georgian რქაწითელი; literally "red stem") is a variety of grapes grown along the Black Sea coast of Georgia, used to make dry white table wines of the Kakhetian style. Rkatsiteli was very popular in the Soviet Union and remains popular in Russia. In spite of the <a href="http://georgianwines.blogspot.com/2007/04/russia-bans-georgian-wines.html">Russian ban</a> on Georgian wine, Rkaksiteli still makes its way to Russia, since it is now grown in other former-Soviet republics and in Eastern Europe. In addition, it is grown in small areas of Australia and the eastern United States. The leaves are round, with three or five lobes; the grapes themselves are golden in color and will develop brown spots on the sun side.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rn1ZaVXkARI/AAAAAAAAAO8/pIBJSYJ4b-A/s1600-h/Rkatsiteli_2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079314263691231506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rn1ZaVXkARI/AAAAAAAAAO8/pIBJSYJ4b-A/s400/Rkatsiteli_2.jpg" border="0" /></a>Rkaksiteli grapes are often blended with other grapes: with Khikhvi and <a href="http://georgianwines.blogspot.com/2007/05/mtsvane-grapes.html">Mtsvane</a> to produce <a href="http://www.ndoba.com/wine/Ndoba_wine_offerings/rkatsiteli.shtml">Rkatsiteli Khornabujuli</a> wine; with Mtsvane to make the aged white wine <a href="http://www.ndoba.com/wine/Ndoba_wine_offerings/tibaani.shtml">Tibaani</a>; with Chinuri and Chkhaveri for sparkling wine; with <a href="http://georgianwines.blogspot.com/2007/04/saperavi-grapes.html">Saperavi</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabernet_Sauvignon">Cabernet Sauvignon</a> for a semi-dry rose wine; or with Khikvi and Mtsvane for the fortified white port Kardenakhi. Rkatsiteli is one of the oldest varieties of grapes in the world; clay vessels have been found in Georgia with Rkatsiteli seeds dating from 3000 BC.Aaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-73952715083024994842007-06-13T19:17:00.000-07:002008-04-09T09:23:38.678-07:00Colchis Gives Birth to a Nation<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/RnCtHlXkAGI/AAAAAAAAANk/FLOHGAdZf7Y/s1600-h/800px-Colchisiberiamapandersen.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/RnCtHlXkAGI/AAAAAAAAANk/FLOHGAdZf7Y/s400/800px-Colchisiberiamapandersen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075747125848178786" border="0" /></a>In ancient geography, Colchis or Kolchis (Georgian: კოლხეთი, Kolkheti; Greek: Κολχίς, Kolchís) was an ancient Georgian kingdom in the Caucasus, first settled by the Colchians in the Middle Bronze Age. Colchis was not simply in the geographic area of medieval and modern Georgia, but played an important role in the ethnic and cultural formation of the country, with the ancient kingdom laying important foundations for the medieval kingdom and the modern nation-state.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/RnCtZlXkAHI/AAAAAAAAANs/nfck6QF8hOI/s1600-h/Colchis-Nike.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 232px;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/RnCtZlXkAHI/AAAAAAAAANs/nfck6QF8hOI/s400/Colchis-Nike.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075747435085824114" border="0" /></a>In Greek mythology the home of <a href="http://www.blogger.com/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeetes%20">Aeëtes</a> and <a href="http://www.blogger.com/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medea">Medea</a> and the <a href="http://georgianwines.blogspot.com/2007/05/jason-voyage.html">destination of the Argonauts</a>, Colchis covered the present Georgian provinces of <a href="http://www.blogger.com/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samegrelo">Mingrelia</a>, <a href="http://www.visitgeorgia.ge/English/Information/Imereti.htm">Imereti</a>, <a href="http://georgianwines.blogspot.com/2007/05/guria-from-mountains-to-sea.html">Guria</a>, <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/country_profiles/3520322.stm">Ajaria</a>, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svaneti%20">Svaneti</a>, Racha, Abkhazia and the modern Turkey’s Rize, Trabzon and Artvin provinces.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/RnCt1lXkAII/AAAAAAAAAN0/5QCRzpXliRQ/s1600-h/Colchis-statuette.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 256px;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/RnCt1lXkAII/AAAAAAAAAN0/5QCRzpXliRQ/s400/Colchis-statuette.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075747916122161282" border="0" /></a> The name "Colchis" first appears in <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.imagi-nation.com/moonstruck/clsc3.htm">Aeschylus</a> and <a href="http://classics.mit.edu/Browse/browse-Pindar.html">Pindar</a>. The main cities were Dioscurias or Dioscuris (under the Romans called Sebastopolis, now <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhumi">Sukhumi</a>) on the sea-board of the Euxine, Sarapana (now <a href="http://www.blogger.com/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shorapani">Shorapani</a>), Phasis (now <a href="http://www.poti.ge/engindex.htm">Poti</a>), Pityus (now <a href="http://www.blogger.com/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitsunda">Pitsunda</a>), Apsaros (now <a href="http://www.pbase.com/robbiru/gonio">Gonio</a>), Surium (now Surami), Archaeopolis (now <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.nokalakevi.org">Nokalakevi</a>), Macheiresis, and Cyta or Cutatisium (now <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.kutaisi.com.ge">Kutaisi</a>), the traditional birthplace of Medea.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/RnCsylXkAFI/AAAAAAAAANc/buC62I54OnE/s1600-h/Colchis-earrrings.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 303px;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/RnCsylXkAFI/AAAAAAAAANc/buC62I54OnE/s400/Colchis-earrrings.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075746765070925906" border="0" /></a>Aaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-55800117947178167782007-05-31T09:23:00.000-07:002007-05-31T10:13:09.004-07:00The Jason Voyage<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rl8AgpOZsxI/AAAAAAAAAMw/ysN4n5HbJqw/s1600-h/433px-Jason_Pelias_Louvre_K127.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070772266264539922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rl8AgpOZsxI/AAAAAAAAAMw/ysN4n5HbJqw/s400/433px-Jason_Pelias_Louvre_K127.jpg" border="0" /></a>The ancient Greeks told the story of a man named Jason sailing on the ship <em>Argo</em> with a band of friends (the Argonauts), eventually arriving in the land of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colchis">Colchis</a>, where he seized the Golden Fleece and ran off with the king's daughter, Medea.<br />For years many scholars claimed the journey could not be made in the boats of Jason's time.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rl7-K5OZsvI/AAAAAAAAAMg/9h9B9ShRxrA/s1600-h/tim_severin.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070769693579129586" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="310" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rl7-K5OZsvI/AAAAAAAAAMg/9h9B9ShRxrA/s400/tim_severin.jpg" width="233" border="0" /></a>So <a href="http://www.timseverin.net/">Tim Severin</a> (pictured) set out to prove them wrong. Constructing a boat along the lines of an early Greek ship, he and a group of men recreated the legendary voyage of Jason, sailing from Greece to modern Georgia, at that time a part of the Soviet Union. Upon his arrival Severin was greeted by Georgian hospitality and treated to the <em><a href="http://georgianwines.blogspot.com/2007/04/georgians-know-how-to-feast.html">supra</a></em>. He went on to write a book about his adventures, <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jason-Voyage-Quest-Golden-Fleece/dp/0671498134/ref=sr_1_2/002-6921088-6616821?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180630569&sr=1-2">The Jason Voyage</a></em>.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rl7-Y5OZswI/AAAAAAAAAMo/iQcIM8MDDWw/s1600-h/The_jason_voyage.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070769934097298178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rl7-Y5OZswI/AAAAAAAAAMo/iQcIM8MDDWw/s400/The_jason_voyage.jpg" border="0" /></a>Born in India in 1940, Severin began his life of exploration while still studying geography and history at Oxford. He has gone on to recreate a number of legendary journeys in order to determine how much of the legends are based on history. His books have won the Thomas Cook Travel Book Award, The Book Of The Sea Award, a Christopher Prize and the literary medal of the Academie de la Marine. He is a regular contributor to the <a href="http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0105/feature3/">National Geographic Magazine</a>. Tim Severin also holds the Gold Medal of the Royal Geographical Society and the Livingstone Medal of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.Aaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-28975822130945353812007-05-29T09:57:00.000-07:002007-05-29T10:02:52.466-07:00Treasures of GeorgiaIf you've not already fallen in love with the beauty that is Georgia, this series of films, titled <em>Treasures of Georgia</em>, will win you over.<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lS9aCTmUqcs"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lS9aCTmUqcs" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />Part I<br /><br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dPay2iTZvmU"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dPay2iTZvmU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />Part II<br /><br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/T3YL4DRpqBc"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/T3YL4DRpqBc" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />Part IIIAaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-89279876407513896182007-05-24T09:51:00.000-07:002007-05-24T10:31:30.825-07:00Usakhelauri Red Wine<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/RlXI-IztCPI/AAAAAAAAAMI/TnN96xiTFZs/s1600-h/usaxelauri+grapes.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068177925517150450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/RlXI-IztCPI/AAAAAAAAAMI/TnN96xiTFZs/s400/usaxelauri+grapes.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The Usakhelauri grape, from which Usakhelauri red wine is made, is grown on the mountain slopes of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lechkhumi">Lechkhumi</a> district in western Georgia, mainly near the villages of Okhureshi, Aubi and Isunderi. These grapes are quite scarce and only a limited amount of land is available, making them highly prized, indeed the premier wine grape of Georgia. The very name "Usakhelauri" means "nameless" in Georgian, on account of its rarity<br /><br />Usakhelauri wine, produced since 1943, is known for its gentle and subtle qualities. The flavor is a harmoniously sweet one with a hint of strawberry. It is noted for a pleasant velvety taste, a delicate bouquet and matchless piquancy.<br /><br />Usakhelauri contains 10.5 - 12.0% alcohol, 3 - 5% sugar and has 5 - 7 % titrated acidity.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/RlXLa4ztCQI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/20ChsrqWuy4/s1600-h/georgian.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068180618461645058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/RlXLa4ztCQI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/20ChsrqWuy4/s400/georgian.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Aaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-28284738057684932392007-05-15T13:15:00.000-07:002007-05-15T14:01:05.579-07:00Guria: From the Mountains to the Sea<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/RkocL2i0wyI/AAAAAAAAALw/jfebvZI8k5c/s1600-h/georgia2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064891720877261602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/RkocL2i0wyI/AAAAAAAAALw/jfebvZI8k5c/s400/georgia2.jpg" border="0" /></a>Guria (გურია) is a region in western Georgia with landscapes running from the Meskheti Mountains at 2800 meters (9128 feet) all the way down to the beaches of the Black Sea. Its subtropical climate makes it home to tea, citrus, tobacco, hazelnut and silk production.<br /><br />Nearly half of Guria is covered in forests, many of which are home to health resorts and or springs used to produce the widely-exported Nabeghlavi mineral water (which was recently banned from Russia, along with Georgian wine, as an act of political intimidation).<br /><br />Guria's flora is exceedingly rich and distinctive, encompassing bogs and sub-alpine forests and open fields. Cultural sites include the Likhauri church (15th century), the Shemokmedi monastery complex (16-18th centuries; pictured), the Gurieli palace (18th century), the Djumati monastery (16th century), the Askana fortress and church complex (16th century) and Petra (I millennium, BC, later called Justinianopolis or today Tsikhisdziri).<br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/RkodQWi0w0I/AAAAAAAAAMA/idw0JgWUr1s/s1600-h/shemokmedi+monest+guria.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064892897698300738" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/RkodQWi0w0I/AAAAAAAAAMA/idw0JgWUr1s/s400/shemokmedi+monest+guria.jpg" border="0" /></a> The region was governed by local rulers until the creation of the unified Kingdom of Georgia in the 10th century. When the Kingdom disintegrated in 1466, Guria became an independent principality. Throughout the eighteenth century, Gurian princes were involved in anti-Ottoman liberation wars, though eventually Lower Guria fell to the Ottomans. In 1810 Prince Mamia V Gurieli accepted Russian sovereignty though Russian resulted in an uprising in 1819 and 1820. A subsequent uprising in 1841 was brutally suppressed. The region (<em>mkhare</em>) of Guria re-emerged as part of an independent Georgia in 1995.<br /><br />Famous Georgians include historian and archaeologist <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekvtime_Takaishvili">Ekvtime Takaishvili</a>, journalist and politician <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noe_Zhordania">Noe Zhordania</a> and historian and philologist <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavle_Ingorokva">Pavle Ingorokva</a>.<br /><br />There is some debate about where the name “Guria” comes from. Some argue it is named after the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurieli">Gurieli</a> noble family, which governed western Georgia as vassals of the crown, beginning in the 13th century. Others contend that when Georgia’s boundaries stretched from Nikopsia to Daruband, Guria was in the center of Georgia, taking its name from the Megrelian word for heart: “guri.”<br /><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rkocc2i0wzI/AAAAAAAAAL4/GidNPwKC3_U/s1600-h/medallion+from+icon+frame+c+1100+djumati+monastery.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064892012935037746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rkocc2i0wzI/AAAAAAAAAL4/GidNPwKC3_U/s400/medallion+from+icon+frame+c+1100+djumati+monastery.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Medallion from an icon frame, Djumati Monestary, c. 1100Aaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-34782710105616751002007-05-11T12:54:00.000-07:002007-05-14T13:47:55.285-07:00Mtsvane Grapes<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/RkTRPGi0wvI/AAAAAAAAALY/OcobLUaU-Ww/s1600-h/Signagi20.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063401938456199922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/RkTRPGi0wvI/AAAAAAAAALY/OcobLUaU-Ww/s400/Signagi20.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>Mtsvane grapes are grown in several areas of Kakheti, including <a href="http://www.signagi.ge/photogalery.html">Signagi</a> (pictured), and <a href="http://www.hansrossel.com/travel-information/georgia-tbilisi/kvareli-kakheti.htm">Kvareli</a>.<br /><br />These grapes are used in a variety of Georgian white wines. The vines, though susceptible to drought, are resistant to frost and are characterized by medium-size yellow-green grapes with bronze spots; they have a thin skin and juicy pulp. (The name <em>Mtsvane</em> in Georgian means "new, young, green.") The leaves have five lobes and are more rounded than many.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/RkTS82i0wwI/AAAAAAAAALg/cf00QMHyuUw/s1600-h/mtsvane0001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063403823946842882" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/RkTS82i0wwI/AAAAAAAAALg/cf00QMHyuUw/s400/mtsvane0001.jpg" border="0" /></a>Mtsvane grapes can be used to produce Manavi or Mtsvane dry table wine. These grapes are often blended with <a href="http://winecompass.blogspot.com/2007/02/wine-101-rhatsiteli.html">Rkatsiteli</a> to make <a href="http://georgianwines.blogspot.com/2007/05/tsinandali-white-wine.html">Tsinandali</a>, <a href="http://www.alaverdi-wine.com/georgian-wines.php?wine=12">Vazisubani</a> or Gurdzhaani wine, since to it adds a fruity, aromatic balance. In addition, Mtsvane grapes are blended with Rkatsiteli and Khikhvi to make high quality Rkatsiteli Khornabudjuli wine or the fortified Anaga. </div>Aaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-79321326404267400962007-05-10T12:27:00.000-07:002010-09-10T13:23:13.435-07:00Tavisupleba: The Georgian National Anthem<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/RkN1ymi0wuI/AAAAAAAAALQ/LdrLu234EtY/s1600-h/Tavisupleba_sheet_music.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063019918295089890" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/RkN1ymi0wuI/AAAAAAAAALQ/LdrLu234EtY/s400/Tavisupleba_sheet_music.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><em>Tavisupleba</em> (თავისუფლება) is the national anthem of Georgia. The song, along with the new <a href="http://www.president.gov.ge/?l=E&m=7&sm=1">flag</a> and <a href="http://www.president.gov.ge/?l=E&m=7&sm=2">coat of arms</a>, were ushered in in 2004, following the bloodless <a title="Rose Revolution" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_Revolution">Rose Revolution</a>.<br /><br />The song’s title means “freedom.” The lyrics were written by Davit Maghradze and the music adopted by Ioseb Kechakmadze from two Georgian operas, <span style="font-style: italic;">Abesalom da Eteri</span> (“Abesalom and Eteri”) and <span style="font-style: italic;">Daisi </span>(“Nightfall”), by the Georgian composer <a title="Zakaria Paliashvili" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zakaria_Paliashvili">Zakaria Paliashvili</a> (1871-1933), the father of Georgian classical music.<object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VuuhFg-MXAQ"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VuuhFg-MXAQ" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />A variety of Georgian muscians performing <span style="font-style:italic;">Tavisupleba </span>together, with film from the <a href="http://www.usip.org/resources/georgias-rose-revolution-participants-perspective">Rose Revolution</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>English Translation</div><br /><div>My icon is my motherland,<br />And the whole world is its icon-stand.<br />Bright mounts and valleys<br />Are shared with God<br />Today our freedom<br />Sings to the glory of future,<br />The dawn star rises up<br />And shines out between two seas.<br />Praise be to liberty, Praise be to liberty!<br /></div><br /><div><br />Georgian<br /></div><br /><div>ჩემი ხატია სამშობლო,<br />სახატე მთელი ქვეყანა,<br />განათებული მთა-ბარი,<br />წილნაყარია ღმერთთანა.<br />თავისუფლება დღეს ჩვენი<br />მომავალს უმღერს დიდებას,<br />ცისკრის ვარსკვლავი ამოდის<br />და ორ ზღვას შუა ბრწყინდება,<br />დიდება თავისუფლებას,<br />თავისუფლებას დიდება.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Georgian Transliteration<br /><br />Chemi khatia samshoblo,<br />Sakhate mteli kveqana,<br />Ganatebuli mta-bari<br />Tsilnaqaria Ghmerttana.<br />Tavisupleba dghes chveni<br />Momavals umghers didebas,<br />Tsiskris varskvlavi amodis<br />Da or zghvas shua brtsqindeba.<br />Dideba tavisuplebas,Tavisuplebas dideba!</div>Aaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-33840903305574131392007-05-07T14:34:00.000-07:002007-05-07T16:17:51.197-07:00Georgia's Own Katie Melua<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rj-lWmi0wtI/AAAAAAAAALI/uHBXGiom0WE/s1600-h/35_press_6%2520copy.jpg"></a><br /><div><div><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rj-kzmi0wqI/AAAAAAAAAKw/rumDjtV0EsM/s1600-h/32_press_2%2520copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061945712614621858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rj-kzmi0wqI/AAAAAAAAAKw/rumDjtV0EsM/s400/32_press_2%2520copy.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>Ketevan “Katie” Melua (ქეთევან "ქეთი" მელუა) has been compared to such female musical sensations as Joss Stone and Norah Jones, though her career has really only begun. Her blend of jazz and blues styles, filtered through a folk acoustic guitar, have been making waves around the world.<br /><br />Born in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kutaisi">Kutaisi</a>, Georgia in 1984, Katie Melua grew up in <a href="http://georgianwines.blogspot.com/2007/04/king-vakhtang-founds-georgian-capital.html">Tbilisi</a>, where her grandparents lived, and later moved with her family to the seaside town of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batumi">Batumi</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajaria">Ajaria</a>. The family left Georgia when Katie was 8 and moved to Belfast where her father worked as a heart surgeon at the Royal Victoria Hospital. Katie went to Catholic schools in Northern Ireland while her younger brother went to a Protestant school. The family moved to Redhill, England in 1998. As a result of her diverse upbringing, Katie speaks three languages: Georgian, Russian and English.<br /><br />Melua did not always want to be a singer or songwriter; when she was thirteen she aspired to be a politician or a historian. “I honestly thought I'd be able to bring peace to the world,” she once explained, “if I ruled it!” When she was fifteen Melua entered a TV talent competition and won, despite only having entered for fun.<br /><br />Katie Melua joined the <a href="http://www.brit.croydon.sch.uk/">BRIT School for Performing Arts</a> where she undertook a BTEC and Music A-level. Here she discovered a variety of musical styles of music including Queen, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Irish folk music and Indian music. On hearing an <a href="http://www.google.com/musica?aid=8Yab-hvEucL&sa=X&oi=music&ct=result">Eva Cassidy</a> song she was deeply impressed and, upon discovering that Eva was no longer alive, wrote the song <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Call-off-Search-Katie-Melua/dp/B000255LB6">‘Faraway Voice’</a> as a tribute. In July, 2003, she graduated with distinction. </div><div><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rj-lBWi0wrI/AAAAAAAAAK4/Wq0xgjte8Ek/s1600-h/s1500070.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061945948837823154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 247px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 236px" height="290" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rj-lBWi0wrI/AAAAAAAAAK4/Wq0xgjte8Ek/s400/s1500070.jpg" width="300" border="0" /></a>Composer/producer <a href="http://www.mikebatt.com/">Mike Batt</a> visited the BRITs looking for musicians to form a jazz band; on hearing Melua perform ‘Faraway Voice’ he realized he had found something special. “Artists like Katie don’t come along very often; she is a true original.” Katie signed to Batt’s record label Dramatico. In 2003 she met Queen Elizabeth, who told her, “I have heard your record on the radio; it is very nice.”<br /><br />In November, 2003 she released her debut album, ‘<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Call-off-Search-Katie-Melua/dp/B000255LB6">Call Off the Search</a>,’ which hit number 1 in January 2004, knocking Dido out of the top spot and staying there for three weeks. (Temporarily deposed by Norah Jones, Melua returned to the top spot, holding it for another three weeks.)<br /><br />Katie Melua joined the line up of <a href="http://www.bandaid20.com/">Band Aid 20</a> for the new version of the single ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas.’ She also works as an ambassador for <a href="http://www.savethechildren.org/">Save The Children</a> and was asked by Sharon Osbourne to join the recording of Eric Clapton’s ‘<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tears-Heaven-Eric-Clapton/dp/B000006XMA/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/104-9618751-8793504?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1178577251&sr=1-2">Tears In Heaven</a>,’ a fundraising single for the Tsunami appeal.<br /><br />On 10 August, 2005, she became a British citizen, along with her family. After the ceremony she explained, “As a family, we have been very fortunate to find a happy lifestyle in this country and we feel we belong.” However, “we still consider ourselves to be Georgian, because that is where our roots are, and I return to Georgia every year to see my uncles and grandparents.”<br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rj-lNWi0wsI/AAAAAAAAALA/O4rWmrSJxbk/s1600-h/379917819_l.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061946154996253378" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 323px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 283px" height="172" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rj-lNWi0wsI/AAAAAAAAALA/O4rWmrSJxbk/s400/379917819_l.jpg" width="216" border="0" /></a>In 2005 she released a second album, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Piece-Katie-Melua/dp/B000FBHCQ4">Piece by Piece</a>." She enjoys roller coasters, paragliding, hang gliding and skydiving. </div><div></div></div></div></div>Aaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-26938557378024338072007-05-05T14:11:00.000-07:002007-05-05T14:27:12.216-07:00Ojaleshi Red Wine<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rjz1rGi0woI/AAAAAAAAAKg/P2gdrMNZxFs/s1600-h/Ojaleshi_s.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061190202097451650" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rjz1rGi0woI/AAAAAAAAAKg/P2gdrMNZxFs/s400/Ojaleshi_s.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><div></div><div></div><div>Ojaleshi red wine (variously spelled “Oljaleshi,” “Odjaleshi” or “Odzhaleshi”) is made from grapes of the same name, which are grown on the mountains overlooking the Tskhenis-Tskali River, in particular near the village of Orbeli in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samegrelo">Samegrelo</a> district of western Georgia (pictured), not far from such historic sites as <a href="http://www.tourism.gov.ge/geo/side.php?id=43">Nokalakevi</a>.<br /><br />Ojaleshi has a dark ruby color, a spicy aroma and a rich taste with fruity flavor flavors. It contains 10-12% alcohol, 3-5% sugar and has a titrated acidity of 5-6%.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rjz2D2i0wpI/AAAAAAAAAKo/nDj8O62Uh_A/s1600-h/samegrelo+region.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061190627299213970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/Rjz2D2i0wpI/AAAAAAAAAKo/nDj8O62Uh_A/s400/samegrelo+region.bmp" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div></div>Aaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825632107277058616.post-12909417214121598842007-05-04T12:19:00.000-07:002007-05-04T12:32:12.511-07:00A Word from the Blogger<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/RjuKEWi0wnI/AAAAAAAAAKY/VYaa5n2tTgE/s1600-h/119-1917_IMG.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5060790413656638066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cDfM7z6mNCA/RjuKEWi0wnI/AAAAAAAAAKY/VYaa5n2tTgE/s400/119-1917_IMG.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div></div><div>As some of you know, this blog began as a public diplomacy project for a class at the <a href="http://www.iwp.edu">Institute of World Politics</a>. The assignment is now over and I think I can say with confidence that the project has been a success.<br /><br />Thanks go out to all of our readers around the world who visited from the following places: Europe (Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Italy, Moldova, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom), the Americas (Canada, Netherlands Antilles, Panama, United States), Asia (India, Israel, Lebanon, Turkey), Africa (Morocco) and Oceania (Australia, New Zealand).<br /><br />Please continue to spread the word about <em>From the Cradle of Wine</em>, the Republic of Georgia and the fine wines that come out of this region. Though the assignment is over this blog will continue, if perhaps with slightly less frequent posts.<br /><br />Thanks for reading!</div>Aaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com0