See Georgia’s winemaking history in labels

The rich history of winemaking and alcohol production in Georgia will be illustrated at a special exhibition of century-old bottle labels in capital Tbilisi.

Titled The Art of Labels, the exhibition will feature nearly 200 stickers used by alcohol brands that were produced in the country from the late 19th to early 20th Century.

Opening from December 20, the exhibition will be hosted at the Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia, one of 16 venues under the Georgian National Museum (GNM) network.

A label for Georgian-made rum printed in French and Russian. Photo from the Georgian National Museum's press office.

In addition to presenting the winemaking and branding heritage of vintage production, the event also aimed to pay homage to the legacy of David Sarajishvili, a pioneer of cognac brandy production in Georgia.

The success of Georgian wine, along with the quality, was also determined by its design. Wine manufacturers produced high-quality labels printed in Georgia as well as abroad - Lodz, Warsaw, Baku, Vilnius and many other cities," said a preview of the exhibition by the GNM.

The labels presented at the display were selected from collections of the GNM as well as private archives. The occasion will also feature a grand prix and diploma of Dimitri Kipiani, another celebrated personality in the history of Georgian alcohol production.

Wine labels illustrate the history of alcohol production in Georgia. Photo from the Georgian National Museum's press office.

The exhibits for the display were curated by Nino Kacharava, with consulting by Bondo Kalandadze and Giorgi Sarajishvili.

Brands and companies founded by early figures of Georgian winemaking like Sarajishvili and Kipiani produced wine, cognac, champagne, vodka, fortified wines, grape juice and vinegar.

The products were tasted and recognised in Georgia as well as the Russian Empire, Europe and the United States, and received prizes and awards at international contests throughout decades.

The display The Art of Labels will end on January 8, 2017.