Teliani Valley Tsinandali

The first two-story winery in recent Georgian history was built in Kakheti's Teliani valley in 1886; today, Teliani Valley PLC is heir to that tradition.

Teliani Valley describes their 2004 Tsinandali 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.

The makers suggest pairing this wine with white meats, vegetables or mushrooms, the last of which would work particularly well.

Akhasheni Red Wine

Like many of Georgia's finest wines, Akhasheni red wine comes from the Kakheti region (whose David Gareja monastery is pictured above). This wine is made from Saperavi grapes from the Akhasheni vineyards of the Gurdzhaani district.

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.

Kindzmarauli Semi-Sweet Red Wine

Made from the Saperavi variety of grapes, kindzmarauli is produced in the Kvareli region of eastern Georgia, which was first brought into the Kingdom of Georgia by King David the Builder in the 12th century.

Kindzmarauli is a naturally semi-sweet red wine whose flavor results from only picking the grapes after enough sugar has naturally formed within them. Thus, the sugar content is maintained without chemicals or additives. With a scent of ripe berries and a deep purple color, kindzmarauli has a velvety taste that is rich and peppery with a touch of sweetness and a lingering finish which balances both fruit and acidity.

This wine contains 10.5-12.0% alcohol, 3-5% sugar and has 5.0-7.0% titrated acidity. The Georgian Royal Collection and Tamada are two of the leading producers.

For those interested in traveling to the home of kindzmarauli, the Kvareli region of the Kakheti province is not only home to a variety of wineries but also home to such breathtaking attractions as the Gremi monastery, and the Alaverdi monastery (pictured below), founded by a 6th century Assyrian monk who came from Antioch.