Three outstanding wines from Georgia

Georgia, as mentioned in these pages recently, has a wine history that dates back to ancient times. The tamada, or toastmaster, has long played an integral role in the ritual of wine drinking. A tamada is similar to a master of ceremonies, and his job is to introduce each toast during feasts and other celebrations.

A bronze statue of a tamada from the 7th century BC was discovered and its replica now sits proudly in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, as a symbol of both the past and present. In modern Georgia, both the tamada and the ancient art of wine production using qvevri (clay pots) continues. For wine lovers it is an opportunity to take a sip of the past.

Cheers, or, as they say in Georgia, gaumarjos!

Saperavi is one of the best known varieties of red grapes closely identified with Georgia. It is characterised by an intense deep red colour, high acidity and firm tannins. Think of it like a cabernet sauvignon, with the warm fruit-forward juicy fruit of a grenache.

Shavkapito, a rare red variety, was recently rediscovered and saved from extinction. There are about 10 hectares in production in the Kartli region of eastern Georgia. According to master of wine Jancis Robinson, shavkapito produces "red-fruited wine with a smoky flavour, even without the influence of oak".