What Did I Find in the World’s OLDEST Wine Country? GEORGIA Blew My Mind!

Georgia isn’t just another wine country; it’s the birthplace of wine, with over 8,000 years of continuous winemaking history. From clay qvevris buried in the earth to the ancient songs sung at the supra, Georgia’s wine culture is unlike anywhere else in the world. In this episode, Vince travels through the world’s oldest wine country to uncover how faith, history, and family intertwine in every glass. Meet the winemakers reviving ancient grapes like Saperavi and Rkatsiteli, explore the dramatic landscapes of the Caucasus Mountains, and discover why Georgian wine is more than a drink; it’s a way of life. Enjoy the show? We're independently owned and produced and would LOVE your support! You can also watch ad-free! Join Vino VIP: https://www.visforvino.com/vip All locations, wines, and wineries are listed at: https://visforvino.com/georgia/ DESCRIPTION: Georgia genuinely changed the way I see wine, and this was one of the greatest wine trips I’ve ever taken. The episode opens with me being presented a bowl of wine during the ancient qvevri-opening ceremony at Khareba Winery. From there, I travel to the modern, reborn city of Tbilisi, explain why Georgian history has been so turbulent, and stop for a traditional scrub-down at the historic Abanotubani bath district. I have an unforgettable lunch at Chveni, the restaurant by Guram Bagdoshvili, together with my new friends Irakli Cholobargia (Wet Dog Wines) and Shota Natroshvili (Teliani Valley). Over incredible food, I learn why wine sits at the core of Georgian culture. After breaking down grapes like Rkatsiteli and Saperavi, I grab a quick coffee at Kvarts before heading to Château Mukhrani, a stunning French-inspired estate. There, winemaker Keti guides me through indigenous varieties and a deep dive into amber wine and qvevri tradition. Next, I visit a very different kind of winery: Iago’s. Iago embodies natural, honest, home-grown winemaking, and his hospitality is unforgettable. A roadside stop for fresh puri leads me to Vazisubani, where I meet Lado Udonashvili, a true rockstar of Georgian wine. I try his 3 Qvevri amber and Saperavi before taking a cooking class to learn khinkali and khachapuri. Then it’s back to Khareba to explore its incredible wine caves with winemaker Vladimer, tasting his Aldasturi and Kindzmarauli; surprising, vibrant, and so much fun. Finally, the episode closes at Gotsa Wines with Nina and Beka Gotsa, who host a legendary Georgian supra, the traditional feast. We’re joined by Baia (Baia’s Wine), Shorena Pataridze (Rachuli Winery), and a quartet of singers. It’s an experience I will never forget and the perfect ending to an extraordinary trip. 00:00:00 Intro 00:02:26 Tblilisi 00:08:54 Bath House 00:10:37 Lunch at Chveni 00:19:11 Georgian Grapes 00:22:46 Coffee Art in Tbilisi 00:24:12 Chateau Mukhrani 00:31:52 Qvevri and Amber Wine 00:35:38 Iago's Winery 00:43:08 Roadside Puri 00:44:40 Vazisubani Estate 00:51:44 Cooking Kinkali and Khachapuri 00:55:05 Khareba Winery 01:03:20 Supra at Gotsa's 01:08:37 Outro WINES FEATURED: (in order) Wet Dog Wine • Pet-Nat (Tsitska–Tsolikouri) Teliani Valley • Tsolikouri • Glekhuri Amber • Saperavi Château Mukhrani • Goruli Mtsvane Reserve • Shavkapito Reserve Iago Bitarishvili • Chinuri "Iago" • Mtsvane “Marani” Vazisubani Estate • 3 Qvevri Amber • Saperavi Khareba Winery • Aldasturi • Kindzmarauli (Semi-Sweet Saperavi) Supra Producers • Baia’s Wine • Shorena Pataridze • Gotsa ___________________ And just because an episode ends doesn't mean the fun stops there. Next, you can: SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel! https://bit.ly/3xxH7eT JOIN VINO VIP to watch episodes ad-free, get early access to new videos, exclusive VIP members-only content, virtual zoom wine tastings with Vince, and fun giveaways! https://www.visforvino.com/vip Follow us on Instagram!   / visforvino   Let's be friends on Facebook!   / visforvino   __________________ © 2024 V IS FOR VINO ALL RIGHTS RESERVED