5 to Try: Georgian Wine for Your Holiday Feast

In our November/December 2023 issue, wine writer Betsy Andrews makes the compelling case that Georgian wine is the best option for your holiday table. Georgia may be best known for its amber wines aged in traditional clay pots, or qvevri, but the country produces a broad spectrum of styles, from aromatic dry whites and delicate sparklers, to richly spiced reds. No matter what you’re serving, there is a Georgian wine fit to pair. Because availability can still be somewhat limited in the U.S., we’ve rounded up five can’t-miss options.

Orgo Rkatsiteli “If you want to show people what Georgians drink, this an excellent example,” says Jonathan Nelms, owner of the Washington, D.C., Georgian restaurant, Supra. Rkatsiteli is Georgia’s most widely planted grape. And this amber wine from Kakheti producer Orgo displays some of the classic flavors that are cultivated through fermentation in qvevri, including notes of apricot, almond, and honey. $25, cru-domaine.com

Teliani Valley Tsolikouri Perfect for pairing with starters like a cheese plate, this dry white from the Lechkhumi district is fermented in stainless steel and maintains plenty of brightness. Andrews notes it “has the floral and petrol aromas, lemon-lime acidity, and luscious weight reminiscent of a Mosel Riesling.” $13.99, potomacwines.com

Mtsvane Estate Pèt-Nat When it comes to bubbles, pèt-nat is all the rage among Georgian winemakers. This low-ABV sparkler from Kakheti is light and floral on the nose with fresh and fruity flavors that Christy Canterbury, U.S. ambassador for Wines of Georgia, declares the perfect match for a Thanksgiving-leftovers sandwich. $29, ghvinos.com

Chateau Mukhrani Saperavi Georgia’s second-most planted variety, Saperavi is a medium-bodied wine that delivers big on fruit and spice, with well balanced acid and tannins. The Saperavi from Chateau Mukhrani spends time in French oak, picking up characteristics similar to Cab Sauv, which Andrews says make it “ideal for Christmas’ or Hannukah’s roast or braised beef or lamb.” $28.99, garyswine.com

Bimbili Aleksandrouli “If I had only one bottle to open, it would be Aleksandrouli. Soft tannins, beautiful aromatics, and brightness make it a people pleaser,” says Canterbury. This bottle from Bimbili in the Racha region is medium-bodied and loaded with juicy fruit flavors like cherry and raspberry, and Canterbury notes the style would go particularly well alongside glazed ham. $25.99, hudsonlights.linwood.wine