Imereti
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Imereti is a prominent winemaking region, rivaling the celebrated Kakheti. Its tapestry of terrain, with towering mountains, meandering rivers, and the gentle caress of the sea, created a multitude of terroirs, each imparting its unique character to the wines born here.
Imereti is particularly celebrated for its fresh, acidic sparkling wines and mineral-driven whites. One of the region's most emblematic wines is a white blend of Tsitska and Tsolikouri grapes, co-fermented to create a harmonious complexity. Additionally, visitors can discover elegant and refined red wines — made in a less robust style then those typically associated with eastern Georgia.
In the 4th century BC, the land now known as Imereti, along with Georgia's entire coastal region, was part of the Colchis Kingdom, a realm that played a pivotal role in the formation of Georgian statehood. Steeped in myth and legend, Colchis was the fabled destination of the Argonauts' quest for the Golden Fleece, and ancient Greek authors lauded the region's wines for their exceptional quality.
Terroir Features
Imereti's vineyards are primarily situated in the gorges of the Rioni River — mainly along its middle and upper reaches — and tributaries. The vineyards elevation ranges from 50 to 500 meters above sea level. A sub-tropical climate, delicately influenced by the Black Sea prevails in the region: winters are moderately cool and wet, while summers are hot and dry. This harmonious transition of seasons allows the grapes to ripen at a leisurely pace, preserving their vibrant acidity and infusing the wines with an elegant balance.
The region's soils are incredibly diverse. Mostly stony loams, enriched with calcium carbonate and limestone, with alluvial deposits dominating the vineyards that line the Rioni's banks, provide a nurturing haven for the vines. While generally considered lean and rocky, these soils impart a unique character to the wines they produсe.
The Imeretian Method
Imereti's winemaking style often deviates from its Kakhetian counterpart, even though qvevri, the traditional clay amphorae, are widely employed for both fermentation and storage. But here, qvevri are locally known as churi. Maceration with grape skins is common, but instead of the full 100% skins contact seen in Kakheti, Imereti winemakers often leave only 20 to 50%. Maceration periods are significantly shorter, ranging from a few weeks to two months, in contrast to Kakheti's typical six-month maceration.
All these differences in style, climate and varieties make Imereti wines generally more elegant and subtle in aroma, with a lighter body and less pronounced tannins on the palate.
Districts & Micro-zones (PDOs)
Since 2007, the Sviri appellation, centered around the eponymous village, has stood as the region's sole designation of origin for dry white wines from blended Tsitska, Tsolikouri and Krakhuna grapes. Sviri has long been renowned for its exceptional Krakhuna — this area has garnered acclaim for its high-quality wines since the 17th and 18th centuries. However, winemakers also craft amber wines using all three mentioned varieties from Sviri vineyards, proudly showcasing the grape's provenance on the label. Noteworthy white wines from Imereti include Tsolikouri from Obcha village (Obchuri Tsolikouri) and Bazaleti village, Kvalituri Tsitska from the village of Kveda Kvaliti, and red wines like Aladasturi from Vani. Villages Bagdati, Dimi, Tskhentaro, Rodinauli, Tskhratskaro, and Puti also have a well-deserved a reputation for producing exceptional wines.
List of PDOs
Main grape varieties
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Martvilis Marani Aladasturi2023
- Regular price
- €10.43
- Sale price
- €10.43
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Martvilis MaraniVintages2023 / qnt.500Wine type
Rose | Alc. 11.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Imereti – Baghdati – RokhiGrape Aladasturi
In Stock 500 -
Martvilis Marani Martha2023
- Regular price
- €10.43
- Sale price
- €10.43
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Martvilis MaraniVintages2023 / qnt.1900Wine type
Rose | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Imereti – Baghdati – RokhiGrape Tsolikouri 95% · Aladasturi 5%In Stock 1900 -
Martvilis Marani Tsolikouri No Skin2023
- Regular price
- €10.43
- Sale price
- €10.43
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Martvilis MaraniVintages2023 / qnt.1300Wine type
White | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Imereti – Baghdati – RokhiGrape TsolikouriIn Stock 1300 -
Martvilis Marani Tsolikouri2023
- Regular price
- €10.43
- Sale price
- €10.43
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Martvilis MaraniVintages2023 / qnt.2200Wine type
Amber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Imereti – Baghdati – DimiGrape TsolikouriIn Stock 2200 -
Winery Zodi Dzelshavi2023
- Regular price
- €10.08
- Sale price
- €10.08
- Regular price
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Winery Winery ZodiVintages2023 / qnt.600Wine type
Semi Sweet
Red | Alc. 11.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Imereti – Chiatura – ZodiGrape DzelshaviIn Stock 600 -
Winery Zodi Kvishkhuri2023
- Regular price
- €12.10
- Sale price
- €12.10
- Regular price
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Winery Winery ZodiVintages2023 / qnt.300Wine type
White | Alc. 14.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Imereti – Sachkhere – ChikhaGrape KvishkhuriIn Stock 300 -
Winery Zodi Tsolikouri2023
- Regular price
- €10.08
- Sale price
- €10.08
- Regular price
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- Unit price
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Winery Winery ZodiVintages2023 / qnt.1000Wine type
White | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Imereti – Sachkhere – ChikhaGrape TsolikouriIn Stock 1000 -
Winery Zodi Tsitska2023
- Regular price
- €10.08
- Sale price
- €10.08
- Regular price
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Winery Winery ZodiVintages2023 / qnt.800Wine type
White | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Imereti – Zestafoni – Kveda SakaraGrape TsitskaIn Stock 800 -
Argvani Tsitska2023
- Regular price
- €9.78
- Sale price
- €9.78
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Winery ArgvaniVintages2023 / qnt.700Wine type
White | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Imereti – Terjola – GhvankitiGrape TsitskaIn Stock 700 -
Tezi Winery Tsolikouri2022
- Regular price
- €12.02
- Sale price
- €12.02
- Regular price
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Winery Tezi WineryVintages2022 / qnt.1300Wine type
Amber | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Imereti – Zestafoni – SviriGrape TsolikouriIn Stock 1300 -
Solomoné Tsitska - Tsolikouri2022
- Regular price
- €9.85
- Sale price
- €9.85
- Regular price
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Winery SolomonéVintages2022 / qnt.1000Wine type
White | Alc. 11.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Imereti – Chiatura – ChiaturaGrape Tsitska 40% · Tsolikouri 60%In Stock 1000 -
Solomoné Tsitska - Tsolikouri Qvevri2022
- Regular price
- €9.85
- Sale price
- €9.85
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Winery SolomonéVintages2022 / qnt.1000Wine type
Amber | Alc. 11.8% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Imereti – Chiatura – ChiaturaGrape Tsitska 40% · Tsolikouri 60%In Stock 1000 -
Solomoné Krakhuna Qvevri2022
- Regular price
- €9.85
- Sale price
- €9.85
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Winery SolomonéVintages2022 / qnt.1500Wine type
Amber | Alc. 12.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Imereti – Zestafoni – SviriGrape KrakhunaIn Stock 1500 -
Nanua Winery Tetri Kamuri - Tsitska2023
- Regular price
- €15.64
- Sale price
- €15.64
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Winery Nanua WineryVintages2023 / qnt.250Wine type
Amber | Alc. 14.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Imereti – Terjola – AlisubaniGrape Tetri Kamuri 50% · Tsitska 50%In Stock 250 -
Nanua Winery Tsitska2023
- Regular price
- €9.79
- Sale price
- €9.79
- Regular price
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- Unit price
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Winery Nanua WineryVintages2023 / qnt.500Wine type
Amber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Imereti – Terjola – SazanoGrape TsitskaIn Stock 500 -
Nanua Winery Otskhanuri Sapere2018
- Regular price
- €11.75
- Sale price
- €11.75
- Regular price
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- Unit price
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Winery Nanua WineryVintages2018 / qnt.800Wine type
Red | Alc. 13.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Imereti – Terjola – SazanoGrape Otskhanuri SapereIn Stock 800 -
Qvevriseuli Krakhuna - Tsitska - Tsolikouri2022
- Regular price
- €10.97
- Sale price
- €10.97
- Regular price
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Winery QvevriseuliVintages2022 / qnt.900Wine type
White | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Imereti – Zestafoni – Meore SviriGrape Krakhuna 33% · Tsitska 33% · Tsolikouri 33%In Stock 900 -
Enkeni Dzelshavi2023
- Regular price
- €10.49
- Sale price
- €10.49
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery EnkeniVintages2023 / qnt.300Wine type
Red | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Imereti – Terjola – AkhalterjolaGrape DzelshaviIn Stock 300 -
Enkeni Tsolikouri2023
- Regular price
- €10.49
- Sale price
- €10.49
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery EnkeniVintages2023 / qnt.300Wine type
Amber | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Imereti – Terjola – AkhalterjolaGrape TsolikouriIn Stock 300 -
Enkeni Tsitska2023
- Regular price
- €10.49
- Sale price
- €10.49
- Regular price
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Winery EnkeniVintages2023 / qnt.600Wine type
White | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Imereti – Terjola – AkhalterjolaGrape TsitskaIn Stock 600
Rose | Alc. 11.5% | Vol. 750ml
White | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Amber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Semi Sweet
Red | Alc. 11.5% | Vol. 750ml
