“Other Varieties”

Gorgeous view of Tbilisi from the Funicular restaurant

Malkhaz explained that the 2015 edition was dedicated to rare wine and rare varieties, and that the idea behind the fair was to hold an event that was both hedonistic and educational. The Wine Club, in collaboration with the Georgian National Wine Agency, has plans to organize a wine library of Georgian grape varieties and wines. During the Soviet period in Georgia, only 16 types of wines were allowed to be made commercially and they all were numbered 1-16. Wine making was part of a scheme of collectivism, as was all agriculture during this period. Though families were allowed to make their own wines for home use, traditional wine making certainly suffered during this period, and the 500+ varieties were not appreciated and almost disappeared except for a few heroes in small pockets who saved them. You see, in Georgia, wine is more than a beverage; wine is culture, history and part of the Georgian identity. The heroes of Georgian wine are those who promote oenodiversity, traditional wine making. Events such as The New Wine Festival help Georgians reconnect to this collective heritage, and foreigners, like myself, are introduced to new wines and vigneronswe might not have otherwise heard. The fair brings together the larger commercial producers, the family wine makers and the qvevri wine makers to one park with the support of various agencies. It is a matter of national pride as well as an occasion to impress tourists at a really fun filled event.