If you were to ask a Georgian about the best wine for health, the answer is refreshingly straightforward: all wines! However, they quickly add a caveat: “All wines can be healthy, provided you enjoy just one glass with your dinner. Excessive consumption of any wine can be harmful.”
Winemakers often emphasize the importance of choosing the healthiest option—what they refer to as “live” wine. But what exactly does the term “live” mean?
Non-scalded Wine: This refers to wine that hasn’t undergone heating processes that kill off beneficial bacteria. Such wine retains its vitality and “doesn’t get old.”
Non-filtered: Filtration can strip away the natural flora that contributes to the wine’s character, which is why non-filtered wines are preferred.
Organic Wine: Made from grapes grown without the use of chemicals or pesticides, organic wines are prized for their purity. Once chemicals have been introduced, there’s no effective method to remove them, making organic production essential for true quality.
“Live” wines are celebrated for their ability to develop a delicate fruity bouquet and a soft, velvety taste after a year of aging in bottles. This aging process enhances their natural antioxidants, making them a genuine treasure.
Kakhetian winemakers point out that the aroma of young red wines doesn’t fully reveal itself immediately. When a bottle is uncorked, the wine interacts with oxygen and begins to “breathe,” allowing its flavors to blossom. To enhance this process, connoisseurs often choose to pour the wine into a decanter—a specially designed glass vessel. While decanters are indeed useful for separating sediments, their primary function is to maximize the wine’s exposure to air, quickly enriching it with oxygen. If you find yourself without a decanter, don’t worry! Simply pour your wine into a glass and allow it to “breathe” for a while; you’ll be rewarded with a richer taste.
Lastly, an important piece of advice: when traveling in Georgia, be discerning about your wine purchases. A hereditary winemaker from the ancient capital of Mtskheta lamented that “powder wines”—inferior products—have made their way into the market. To truly appreciate the color, aroma, flavor, and health benefits of legendary Georgian wines, it’s best to buy only from wineries recommended by knowledgeable guides. This way, you can fully immerse yourself in the authentic experience of Georgian winemaking.