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Georgia is involved in winemaking from immemorial time. Large number of outstanding scientists recognise Georgia as home of cultural grapes and wine. Academician I. Javakhishvili, in his work "The Economic History of Georgia", on the basis of fairly large domestic and foreign literature, says that if it is impossible exactly be called homeland of viticulture and winemaking, then at least we can assume that one of the main centers of this industry must considered Georgia.
In Georgia, history of grape is associated with the history of its people, and therefore the beginning of viticulture in Georgia must be sought in the distant past.
Should be regarded as the undisputed fact, that people in the early times used the fruits of wild grapes. As it develops, over tens of centuries, based on the selection of grapes and various forms of appropriate care for it, people chose those species, that gave better quality fruit. In such a way, the abundance of native grape varieties, that over a long period originated from wild species, indicate on cultural development of viticulture in certain parts.
Georgia, as a wine-producing country, is also notable for the fact, that in the warm, moderate climate in our days, as well as in the past, it is widespread many varieties of wild grapes, from which over tens centuries formed many varieties of Georgian indigenous grapes.
Safely could be said, that none of the wine regions of the world can not meet such a rich variety of native grape varieties as in Georgia.
Against the background of natural diversity of Georgia, for tens of century, formed certain groups of varieties, or new varieties have occurred, as evidenced by a wide range of grape varieties existing in different areas.
Scientist, academician I. Javakhishvili says, that viticulture in ancient Georgia was highly developed, because high-quality grapes, such as Saperavi, Rkatsiteli etc., Georgian grower could only create by long, conscious, full of diligence, planned work.
About past of Georgian viticulture and winemaking, about advantages of products and about hearth of origin of cultivated grapes also indicates many historical materials, archaeological sites and cultural monuments.
Botanist Koch, who traveled in the 18th century and studied the flora of Caucasus, called the birthplace of cultural grapes Coast of Black Sea and Caspian Sea. In Colchic woods he saw a highly growing vines grapes, he was very surprised by development and fertility of it.
Swiss researcher, Shaw, in his work (19th century), considers "Mengrelia and Georgia»
as hotbed of viticulture.
About quality of wine, that is produced in the distant past and in the following centuries, clearly demonstrate a range of materials and material-cultural monuments.
Outstanding figure of Georgian winemaking, Professor K. Modebadze, in textbook of winemaking (1948 year) writes, that the circumstance, that the Georgian people choose and grow high-quality wine, varieties such as Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, Khikhvi et al., gives us full right to conclude, that in ancient Georgia, obviously, people regarded to the production of wines with great conscientiousness, care and trepidation. If our ancestors, according to Homeric legend still in 10th century BC., produced high-quality "sparkling and aromatic wine", it is clear that in subsequent centuries, they would acquire more knowledge, observation and experience to produce high quality wines from grapes vaunted above.
Academician Kuftin established, that production of wine receptacles found in ancient Trialeties tombs dates to 3 millennium BC. Found in these tombs clay amphora with a round lid is dated 5 - 3 millennium BC. According to legends similar amphoras in those times were also used in Egypt. It is known, that Egyptians maintained contacts with Georgian tribes. According to prof. K. Modebadze Egyptians would have to learn culture of wine from Georgians.
Found in the tombs small falcate blades dating from 3500 - 3000 BC, which were used for cutting grapes, speak also about high culture of wine growing in the Georgian tribes.
Point of artefacts (3-2 in. BC) - kvevri (crocks, buried in the ground) and cellars in Vani, Bagineti and other places, once again shows a high level of winemaking in ancient Georgia.
It is known, that still at the dawn of European peoples history in the 10th century BC, according to Homer, in ancient Colchis, Circeya regaled Odysseus with aromatic and sparkling wine, which was served on the table, luxuriously decorated with golden baskets. It speaks to the high culture of winemaking in former Georgia.
In 3rd century BC Apollonius of Rhodes, in his poem "Iazon and Medea», about Argonauts, describes Colchis plains along Rioni river and notes that in capital of Colchis - Aia (Kutaisi), in front of Aieti Kings palace, Argonauts saw green lush vineyards, twisted on high trees and in the shade of the trees wine gushed forth.
Fact, that in Georgia viticulture and winemaking existed since time immemorial, is confirmed by historians Strabo and Xenophon. Grapes growing in a forest is a testament to the fact, that nowhere in Georgia it did not deliver, and it grew up by itself in a favourable natural conditions of Colchis.
Winemaking in Eastern Georgia also has a long history. In 431 BC Xenophon saw huge kvevri here, which were filled with wine. Historian Strabo in 2nd century BC describes viticulture, winemaking of Kartli and Kakheti, that, according to him, in this period, flourished in Georgia. According Strabo, in this period, viticulture in Abkhazia was also highly developed.
A number of material cultural monuments, historical documents, folk songs, poems and traditions show, that viticulture, winemaking of Georgia was at high level in 3 - 12 centuries AD. From remains of cultural monuments are extremely important cellars with huge Kvevries, stone devices for grape husks and other implements of winemaking, whose remains and nowadays found in some regions of Georgia.
In poem of Shota Rustaveli, "Knight in the Panther's Skin" mentioned several episodes, which describes the culture of ableful, mentioned different wine vessels. Worth noting, that for Georgians, during the tableful was not taken to get drunk, but on the contrary, it was even ashamed.
About winemaking in epoch of Rustaveli, Prof. K. Modebadze says, that there is no doubt, that for the mash fermentation and storage of wine in 12 - 13th centuries was used the same Kvevries what still is used by us. Kvevri was buried in the ground, covered and casting up mounts from above by ground. A lot of such Kvevries were found in different territories of Georgia, buried in the ground and lay there from Rustavelies epoch. As for processing of grapes, can be clearly declared, that in 12 - 13 centuries, grapes were squeezed by legs, as well as do nowadays. This method is used from time immemorial. In such way precessed grapes Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and others.
Academician Javakhishvili, remembering work of the famous French traveler Jean Chardin (traveled to Georgia in 1672-1673 GG), writes, that according to Chardin, never drank so many people and such excellent wine, as in Georgia. From Georgia in 17th century carried a lot of wine to Armenia, Midia and even to capital of Persia - Isfahan for king of Persia.
Georgian people, over tens centuries, has accumulated a lot of experience and knowledge to care for grapes and winemaking. In far past, Georgians produces high quality wines. On this prof. K. Modebadze says that Georgian wine well tolerated way to Persia and Midia at then transport, carts and camels. This fact gives us right to say, that export wine, made and stored appropriately, was supposed to be of high quality, with a rather high alcohol content and, accordingly, extractive, otherwise after traveling from Kakheti and Kartli in Isfahan, light wine with low alcohol content and extract so would change its nature and its quality would fall, so that of course the same could not satisfy such capricious taste of the consumer, what were Shahs foreign visitors, ambassadors and their retinue.
Can conclude saying, that over time, more and more evidence is accumulated, that point to the fact that Georgia is a country with an ancient wine culture and increasingly strengthen long-standing belief, that Georgia is a birthplace of viticulture and winemaking.
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