Pirosmani wine: history in brief and a review of the drink

The fragrant ruby drink has been produced in the sunny Alazani Valley, located in the east of Georgia, since 1981. The peculiarity of the wine is its natural sweetness.

Pirosmani is classified as a natural semi-dry drink, and it is made without the inclusion of additional sugars. After fermentation, part of the fructose is retained in the grape juice, which gives the drink an unusual taste.

The legend of the drink

The wine was named after the famous Georgian primitivist painter Niko Pirosmanishvili, who, without an education in art, devoted himself to painting and achieved recognition. However, it came to him only after his death. Nico's sketches celebrate the beauty of his native nature and the originality of Georgian traditions. They also found a place for the art of winemaking. Elements of famous reproductions can be seen on the labels of Pirosmani.

Features of Pirosmani production

The uniqueness of the Pirosmani production process is associated with the commitment to ancient Georgian technologies. The grape variety Saperavi is mainly used as a raw material, in rare cases it is supplemented with Rkatsiteli fruit. Grapes are harvested during the period of highest sugar content, which largely determines the original taste of the drink. The wine is then produced according to the Imereti tradition:

1. Fruits are cleaned from twigs and crushed.

2. After preliminary preparation, the raw materials, along with seeds and skins, are transferred to special containers buried in the ground. Such vessels are called quevrey and can hold up to 5 thousand liters of future wine.

3. The drink is aged in ceramic jugs for several months. Underground storage allows to achieve a constant temperature (about 14 °C) and preserve the natural taste.

4. The fermentation process is stopped with the help of refrigeration, after which the wine is settled, pasteurized and bottled.

In addition to classic glass bottles, you can find Pirosmani in ceramic containers. It is also a tribute to ancient customs and an attempt to emphasize the local flavor.

It is believed that real Pirosmani is produced in compliance with all the technologies only in wineries near the village of Kardanakhi: the most famous brands are Georgian Royal Wines and Tiflis Wine Cellar... Among the worthy producers are Corporaton Georgian Wine, Badagoni Wine Company and Graneli.

Overview of the taste of Pirosmani

1. The color

   This wine is characterized by a deep ruby red color with garnet-purple tints.

2. Taste

   You can clearly distinguish berry notes: dark cherry, currant, prune.

3. Taste

   Connoisseurs describe the flavor as "tart," "spicy," "fresh," and "soft".

The strength is 10-12%. Pirosmani is recommended to be served chilled (up to 16-18 ° C). Meat (kebabs, game, fried), thick sauces, spicy snacks, cheeses are ideal as an addition... Can be combined with desserts, pastries and fruits.

In addition to red, they also produce white Pirosmani. However, it does not belong to the vintage and is considered less interesting. The drink is more appropriate as a summer aperitif. It is characterized by floral and fruity shades with a honey aftertaste. Serve white Pirosmani with fish and salads, white meat.

Update: 26.08.2018

Category: Wine and Vermouth