Georgia’s ancient qvevri wine-making in focus at international symposium

The third annual International Qvevri Wine Symposium is taking place in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi to raise awareness of Georgian wine and the ancient ways it was, and is continuing to be, produced.

For three days this week wine industry experts from near and far are in Tbilisi to learn about Georgia’s unique qvevri wine-making methods. The knowledge is treasured in Georgia and is passed down from generation to generation. Today, 8,000-years-on from when wine was first invented in Georgia, the traditional qvevri method is used.

A qvevri is a large clay Amphora-like vessel that’s traditionally buried in the ground up to its neck, in which wine is fermented and stored in regions of Georgia but especially in Kakheti, east Georgia.

The first official International Qvevri Wine Symposium was supported by the United States (US) government in 2011.

The September 6-8 symposium began with an opening ceremony held at the Georgian National Simon Janashia Museum before guests were offered the chance to attend professional lectures about the history of Georgian wine, be part of historic and modern winery visits, sample Georgian cuisine and wine, enjoy poetry readings and other traditions associated with Georgian wine culture.

Yesterday the Georgian National Simon Janashia Museum hosted officials from Georgia’s Ministry of Agriculture, local and foreign winemakers, scientists, wine tourism specialists, media representatives and wine enthusiasts.

At yesterday’s event guests were encouraged to listen to discussions about the history of winemaking in Georgia, learn about the large variety of grapes and wines Georgia offered and the unique nature of qvevri as a vessel for wine.

Today the Alaverdi Monastery complex in Georgia’s Kakheti region hosted the international symposium. On the final evening wine and food degustation is planned at the Alaverdi complex where experts and critics will be present.

In 2013 Georgia’s unique traditional method of fermenting wine in qvevri was registered on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list of United Nations educational, scientific and cultural organisation (UNESCO).

Georgia’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture and chairman of the National Wine Agency Levan Davitashvili said the Ministry team was taking active steps to raise awareness of Georgian wine abroad and expand Georgia’s export markets.

In October we are planning a few events in New York, Washington and San Francisco [in the US] where Georgian wine will be promoted to professionals and enthusiasts in the wine sphere,” said Davitashvili.

This month Georgia will gift a qvevri to the United Nations to mark the organisation’s 70th anniversary. The qvevri will be placed in the courtyard of the UN Geneva office.