Georgian Twishi wine: history, review of taste and brands

Georgia has been famous for its wines since ancient times. And this glory has not faded over time. And nowadays Georgian winemakers successfully compete with famous European brands.

Our story today is dedicated to the Twishi wine. This variety of white wine has won many awards at international exhibitions. But the real recognition is the incredible popularity that has accompanied the drink since its introduction. After all, a bottle of Twisha is a welcome guest on any table.

A little history

According to legend, the basis of the wine was laid by the French winemaker Antoine Mossano, who arrived in Georgia at the end of the XIX century at the request of the Imperial Court. Its task was to produce wines using French technology. The task is undoubtedly difficult, but it was crowned with success. As a result, one of his creations, the Teliani wine, was allowed to be served at the table of Nicholas II.

In the middle of the XX century, Mossano's achievements were used to create a new type of wine produced by the Teliani Valley plant. The result of this union of old traditions and new technologies is Twisha. The name of the wine was given by a small village where grapes are delivered for its creation.

Twishi gained worldwide fame already in the era of independence. A special law of Georgia not only assigned its name to it, but also strictly limited the zone of origin of raw materials. So, if you see a bottle of this wine made from Kakheti or Imereti grapes, feel free to put it back. There is no real "Twisha" here.

Characteristics of Twisha

1. Color

   The gourmet will be impressed by Twisha at first sight. Instead of the usual golden-straw color, you are greeted by a drink the color of fresh hay.

2. Taste

   Anyone who has ever tried Twisha notes its rich fruity flavor. There is a place for the sweetness of honey and apricots, the tart taste of quince and the light sourness of citrus. The finish is long, sweet and aromatic. No wonder it is compared to a full basket of fruit.

3. Aroma

   The aroma of the wine - to match the taste. It mixes shades of melon, meadow flowers and pineapple. Moreover, wine aging is of particular importance. After the first year, it loses some of its tenderness in favor of a richness of flavors.

4. Serving

   The wine is best served with fish and poultry dishes. It can also be served with sweets and fruit desserts. Especially if there are tangerines or other citrus fruits of the hospitable Caucasus on the table.

   An important point, the ideal temperature of the drink is 10-12˚С. Try to stick to it.

The subtleties of Twisha production

The basis of the drink is the Tsolikauri grape variety, which is harvested exclusively in the area of the village of Twishi - the heart of the eponymous wine region. The special climate of the Rioja Gorge gives the fruit a unique flavor. And further production cuts it, turning it into a real diamond.

The production technology combines the basics of the Racha-Lehum method of producing naturally semi-sweet wines and modern technologies. Hand-picked grapes are squeezed, filtered and purified, and then the resulting wort is poured into stainless steel tanks. There the wine ferments for several months before being bottled.

An important point is that after the wine is bottled, the drink is pasteurized. Thanks to this, the wine does not turn into vinegar right on the store shelves. The flip side of the coin - don't try to turn ordinary Twishi into aged wine by hiding a bottle in the back of the cabinet. It is absolutely useless.

How to buy the right Twishi

The main producers of this variety are:

1. Dougladze

2. Telavi Wine Cellar

3. Tiflis Wine Cellar

4. Tbilvino

5. Iveriuli

6. Kakheti Traditional Winemaking

7. Mildiani

8. Royal Khvanchkara

9. Teliani Veli

These companies are well-known players in the Georgian alcohol market. Therefore, their products meet all quality standards.

It is much more difficult to deal with the products of smaller and lesser-known enterprises. But there are some practical tips to help you avoid the pig in a poke.

1. Remember the origin of the wine. It is produced only from Tsolikauri grapes, originally from the vineyards of Twishi.

2. Look at the price tag. The average cost of a bottle of Twishi is $10. Therefore, when you are offered to buy it for $2.5, such a deal looks questionable.

3. Trust familiar or at least well-known producers. Most of them value their reputations too much to bottle low-quality alcohol.

Update: 10.07.2018

Category: Wine and Vermouth