International qvevri wines tasting hosted by Swiss Embassy in Tbilisi

Amédée Mathier

30.03.2018 (Hvino News). Amédée Mathier - one of the best known pioneers of qvevri wine making outside Georgia - showcased his product along with other Georgian and foreign wines produced with the use of Georgian traditional method or other "qvevri-like" technologies, at a recent event hosted by Swiss Ambassador H.E. Lukas Beglinger in Tbilisi.

The wine tasting, organized at the Ambassador's residence, focused at the growing international popularity of Georgian winemaking method, and the need of clear definition of terms such as organic, natural, and traditional.

In his presentation, Mr. Mathier raised the question of the necessity of formalization of requirements and rules of qvevri wine production. He summarized qvevri experience at his family-owned winery in Salgesch, Switzerland, since first installation in 2009.

Other wines were introduced by Georgian, French, German winemakers who are working in Georgia. The tasting was moderated by Philippe Lespy of Georgian Wine and Spirits company.

Besides Swiss-produced "Amphore" white and red wines, the guests had a chance to taste Georgian qvevri wines from Alaverdi Monastery, Casreli, Tchotiashvili, Tbilvino, Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking, Château Mukhrani, GWS Winery, Winery Khareba, AB Wine, Dakishvili Family Vineyards, Shadrevani, Satsnakheli, as well as a selection of French wines.

The tasting was attended by Ambassadors of Switzerland, France and Japan, heads of National Wine Agency and Georgian Wine Association, as well as the leading wine producers and experts.

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