Viticulture Diversity According to Regions of Georgia

Author: Manana Sharashenidze
Co-authors: Dali Nikolaishvili
Keywords: Grape varieties, Viticulture and wine-making zones, Georgia
Annotation:

Viticulturist prove that there are more than 524 species of vine of local origin registered in Georgia. About 60 of them are of practical importance. It should be mentioned that in some regions of Georgia Georgian farmers have grown and selected, according to soil-climatic terms, those species of vine, from which world-famous wines are produced. These species are: Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, Kakhuri, Mtsvane, Goruli Mtsvane, Chinuri, Tsolikauri, Krakhuna, Tsitska, Otskhanuri Sapere, Chkhaveri, Aladasturi, Alexandrouri, Mujuretuli, Ojaleshi, etc. By the latest data, from all the vineyards, existing in Georgia, 62% of the area is in Kakheti, 13% _ in Kartli, 18% _ in Imereti, and 2% _ in Racha-Lechkhumi. The rest of the area is in other regions. Varied soil-climatic terms are represented in the territory of Georgia for normal growth of vine and high quality havrest, in West and East Georgian regions and even in micro zones. Spreading of vine in Georgia reaches 1200 in above sea level, but the areas at 1000 in above sea level are considered to be the best for vineyards of industrial designation. Analysis of the peculiarities of vine species spreading in the territory of Georgia showed that their greatest amount comes to Kakheti, Kartli, Imereti and Racha-Lechkumi. In each of these parts the amount of the oldest and modern vine species exceeds 100. Among these regions Racha-Lechkumi is specially distinguished. A general amount of vine species is more than 50.