We arrived at Schuchmann Wines Chateau in Kisikhevi, Telavi just at dusk, after a long bus ride from Tbilisi. It was so wonderful to pull into the parking lot and to be met by the winemaker, Georgi Dakishvili. After a tour of the qvevri room we did a wine tasting. Qvevri (kvevri) wine making is a traditional wine making process used in Georgia. What is unique to this wine making process is the use of a large earthenware vessel (qvevri) in which the wine is made. This natural wine making process involves the use of large clay pots, lined with beeswax that is buried in the ground (seeYouTube video). Our visit to Schuchman was my first opportunity to see how qvevris are used in modern wine making.
 |
| Georgi Dakishvili introduces wine bloggers to his wines © Spaswinefood |
Vinoterra Wines
My first encounter with Georgian wines at the
#EWBC Grand Terroir tasting. It was in fact a Vinoterra wine produced by Schuchmann Wines. Now here I am in Georgia where I will get to taste more of Vinoterra wines.
 |
| Schuchmann Wines Vinoterra Saperavi (center) at Grand Terroir Tasting © Spaswinefood |
Schuchmann Wines produces both qvevri and non-qvevri style wines. Magnus Reuterdahl describes our visit to Schuchmann Wines (see also Christian Callec's
article and Dianne LaTulle's
article on earlier visits).
 |
| Qvevri wine making at Schuchmann Wines © Spaswinefood |
|
|
Georgi Dakishvili introduces us to qvevri wine making © Spaswinefood
 |
| Wine bloggers in the qvevri room © Spaswinefood |
|
After the tour we tasted Schuchmann's qvevri wines.
 |
| Tasting room at Schuchmann Wines © Spaswinefood |
The white wines we tasted included Rkatsiteli 2011 and Kisi 2011, with a side by side tasting of two different Mtsvane vintages (2008 and 2011).
 |
Schuchmann Wines Vinoterra Rkatsiteli 2011 © Spaswinefood
 |
| Schuchmann Wines Vinoterra Rkatsiteli 2011 © Spaswinefood |
|
 |
| Schuchmann Wines Vinoterra Kisi 2011 © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Schuchmann Wines Vinoterra Kisi 2011 © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Schuchmann Wines Vinoterra Mtsvane 2008 and 2011 © Spaswinefood |
The red wines we tasted were Saperavi 2009 and Cabernet Sauvignon 2008.
 |
| Schuchmann Wines Vinoterra Sapervai 2009 and Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 © Spaswinefood |
At Schuchmann Wines for example, the Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 is aged first in qvevri (krevris) and then in French oak barrels.
 |
| Schuchmann Wines Vinoterra Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 © Spaswinefood |
I must admit I loved the Vinoterra wines however, my favorites were the Kisi 2011, Mtsvane 2008 and Saperavi 2009. Tim Lemke's
article describes the wines we tasted at Schuchmann Wines. Lemke also notes that the wines can be purchased in the U.S. The winery is owned by German business man
Schuchman. Schuchmann Wines also has a small boutique
hotel and restaurant. I can easily imagine staying there to explore more. You can check hotel reviews at
Tripadvisor.
 |
| Wine bloggers at Schuchmann Wines © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Schuchmann Wines © Spaswinefood |
Yes, there is a Georgian wine chateau that produces some great wines. However, it is not every day that you get an opportunity to taste rich, unique wines, like Schuchmann's. Spaswinefood's trip to Georgia was a fabulous opportunity to explore the Kartli and Kakheti wine regions. An article by Harilan Wine and Spirits describes the wine regions of Georgia. Our trip was part of an #EWBC post-conference trip, sponsored by the Georgian Wine Association. A visit to Georgia is a must for hard-core wine enthusiasts. I look forward to writing about our Georgian wine experiences at Spaswinefood.
No comments:
Post a Comment