Wall Street Journal: “Is the Country of Georgia the Next Great Wine Destination?”

The Georgian province of Kakheti, in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains, has charming small towns, idyllic countryside and an ancient winemaking tradition that’s just starting to catch a buzz, says America’s top financial newspaper.

The Wall Street Journal highlights Kakheti, Georgia’s top wine producing region as the next great travel destination for lovers of wine.

In a new article about Georgian wine making, author Tara Isabella Burton explains how wine is becoming less of a family affair in Kakheti and more of a commercial enterprise.

"Tourism has been on the rise throughout the country over the past half-decade, turning this picturesque province into a would-be Burgundy of the Black Sea,” the author says.

"While the climates of Georgia’s lowlands and the south of France are similar in terms of temperature and rainfall, Kakheti’s rust-colored soil brings a dark earthiness to the region’s wines.”

The author also describes her journey in Kakheti.

"On my last day in Kakheti, I wandered through the covered bazaar in Telavi, Kakheti’s provincial capital,’ she says.

"I walked past women in kerchiefs hawking flushed-pink tomatoes and men selling repurposed Coke bottles of homemade qvevri wine for 80 cents, along with sheep’s cheese from the nearby mountains.”

"Two old men called out to me. "Tourist?” they asked. Then "Chacha?” They poured me a shot and we toasted in the Georgian way: to new friends, to love, to Georgia itself.”

Read the full article here: www.wsj.com.