How Georgia’s wine industry came back from oblivion

Paul Rimple, CNN
7 minute read
Updated 6:15 AM EDT, Fri September 27, 2019
<strong>Hilltop bottling:</strong> Kakheti is one of Georgia's best known wine regions
Hilltop bottling: Kakheti is one of Georgia's best known wine regions
Justyna Mielnikiewicz
<strong>Soviet rule:</strong> The Soviets industrialized the wine-making process. Traces, like this mural in Mukhrani, remain
Soviet rule: The Soviets industrialized the wine-making process. Traces, like this mural in Mukhrani, remain
Justyna Mielnikiewicz
<strong>Back to nature: </strong>The Georgian wine scene has made an impressive return
Back to nature: The Georgian wine scene has made an impressive return
Justyna Mielnikiewicz
<strong>Traditional methods: </strong>Much Georgian wine is made in kvevri, huge terracotta amphorae
Traditional methods: Much Georgian wine is made in kvevri, huge terracotta amphorae
Justyna Mielnikiewicz
<strong>Modern methods: </strong>Chateau Mukhrani is a modern winery located 25 minutes' drive from Tbilisi.
Modern methods: Chateau Mukhrani is a modern winery located 25 minutes' drive from Tbilisi.
Justyna Mielnikiewicz
<strong>Bottoms up: </strong>Pheasants Tears (pictured here) is one of Georgia's best small wineries
Bottoms up: Pheasants Tears (pictured here) is one of Georgia's best small wineries
Justyna Mielnikiewicz
<strong>Kvevri vats: </strong>Pheasant's Tears uses the traditional amphorae
Kvevri vats: Pheasant's Tears uses the traditional amphorae
Justyna Mielnikiewicz
<strong>Underground cellars:</strong> This, at Chateau Mukhrani, is a reconstruction of the 19th-century wine cellar
Underground cellars: This, at Chateau Mukhrani, is a reconstruction of the 19th-century wine cellar
Justyna Mielnikiewicz
<strong>Aging gracefully: </strong>Wine is also stored in traditional barrels
Aging gracefully: Wine is also stored in traditional barrels
Justyna Mielnikiewicz
<strong>Exquisite drinks:</strong> Chinuri or Chinebuli (which means "exquisite") is typically associated with green apples, wild mint and honey. Samtavisi Marani (pictured) makes some of the best
Exquisite drinks: Chinuri or Chinebuli (which means "exquisite") is typically associated with green apples, wild mint and honey. Samtavisi Marani (pictured) makes some of the best
Justyna Mielnikiewicz
Georgia's ancient wine industry makes a comeback

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