Wine Expo Georgia is the biggest wine trade show in Georgia (country). In 2024 it ran from Friday, June 7th to Sunday, June 9th. Over 140 producers were represented.
I managed to taste 336 wines (including 1 mead) + 1 brandy, from 101 producers.
The majority were rated “good” or “acceptable”. And by this, I mean wines that we can objectively say to have merit and enjoyable characteristics that make them successful.
I should be clear, that “good” really is good enough. These are wines you’d enjoy drinking. Getting a higher rating than “good” means producing a wine that stands out against all other wines tasted (above average), with better balance and relevant characteristics.
Some were rated “poor” or “faulty”. These are wines that would not be recommended at all (poor wines) or had suffered from wine faults such as volatile acidity, TCA (cork taint), volatile sulfur compounds, etc. at a level to make the wines unpalatable.
Though I try to be as objective as possible in these assessments, some things should be taken into account:
- Blind tasting was not possible so small biases may exist inadvertently.
- The tasting environment of a busy event is not ideal and some factors affect the tasting:
- Environmental odors – from people walking around with coffee to strong perfume, etc. In addition, surrounded by trees, BBQ (mtsvadi) smoke occasionally billowing past.
- Full rinsing of glasses between every tasting was impractical, though we tried as best as possible.
- It was hot, and some wines couldn’t be served at the correct temperature, but I tried to account for this.
- I normally say “Let me taste your best 2 or 3”, rather than “hey, I like saperavi”, so a disproportionate number of better wines tasted, typically.
We only tasted a fraction of what was on offer. Some notes on that:
- Some winemakers were at festivals in May/June (Including Zero Compromise | New Wine Festival & Wyndham | Merano Festival at Chateau Mukhrani). So I did not repeat these. This means that some great winemakers who made those lists like Solomone, Baia’s wines etc. didn’t get tasted.
- I tried to balance between small, medium, and large producers.
- I did not taste every wine from each vendor we tried.
- There were well over 1000 wines available. I am only one human. Lol. 336 was a pretty good tally!
So, I definitely will have missed some excellent wines. But from what we did taste, I hope you will enjoy discovering some of the below which I gave upper category ratings.
Important Notes On The Official Release Of Award Winning Wines By Expo
An international panel of wine experts, led by MW Tim Atkin, rated a submitted selection of wines. The full awards list was posted on the Wine Expo Facebook page, and I have also included that full list below my list.
If you are not familiar with how the awards are set up, here are some notes that may interest you.
- As with previous years only wines that wineries pay to submit for judging are included in the panel. So the judging pool is made from wines that wineries believe have the best chance of an award.
- The panel is a wide selection of sommeliers, enologists and other wine experts from Georgia but also many international judges. Headed by MW Tim Atkin (UK).
- As multiple smaller wineries have told me, they don’t have the budget to submit numerous wines for assessment. Some small winemakers, who I did rate some of their wines highly in my scoring below, actually told me they submitted no wines this year at all.
- Award criteria this year as I know was 85-89 bronze, 90-94 silver, and 95-100 gold.
- There were a lot of wines I didn’t get to taste at all that won awards. There were a lot of wines I tasted that I know were not submitted.
- Thanks to the judges for their work and insights! As always, they are doing a stellar job!
My Rating System
Ratings are based on Balance / Length / Intensity / Complexity and Style (ie. how they fit within the category of the style/intention of the wine). A “very good” rating would be made when 3 to 4 of these criteria have been met successfully. Some consideration is given to young wines that have the potential to arrive at this level in an expected timeframe of aging.
I’m offering a simple statement of wines I consider above average, not giving a score out of 100.
There are many more wine festivals coming soon, and we intend to publish our favorites for those too. Supernatural is on Saturday June 29th. The Gurian wine festival is also the same day :-(
Wine Expo Georgia, Tbilisi (Fri June 7th to Sun June 9th, 2024)
336 tastings, from 101 wineries.
In order of which I did the tastings, not in order of preference.
Most wines below achieved “very good” or better. But I’ve also included a few that were on the cusp from good to very good and also deserved a mention. Note my “personal top picks” were based on a more subjective bias of wine styles I love. But everything on the list in general I’ve rated as objectively as possible.
- Eno One – Alexandrouli Dry 2022
- Wine One – Kisi Qvevri Dry 2019
- Summery
- Goruli Mtsvane Dry 2023
- Chinuri Dry Pet-Nat 2023
- Blue Donkey (Simoneti)
- Kakhuri Mtsvane Dry Pet-Nat 2022
- Saperavi Dry Pet-Nat 2023 – Personal Top Pick
- Simoneti
- Rkatsiteli Qvevri Dry 2021
- Otskhanuri Sapere Dry 2021 (12 month oak)
- Saperavi Dry 2021 (12 month oak)
- Vardiashvili – Saperavi Qvevri Dry 2022
- Binekhi – Saperavi Dry 2017 (3 month oak) (note: previously rated by me as awesome, Otskhanuri Sapere 2020, not retasted this year, but an award winner from the panel)
- Lomiskareli
- Khikhvi Dry White 2022
- Pinot Blanc Dry White 2023
- Pinot Noir Dry Red 2022
- Mukhuzani 2021
- Chateau Buera (I tasted some alternate wines this time compared to at Merano festival)
- Tsitska (50%) / Chinuri Traditional Champagne Method Brut 2020
- Khikhvi Qvevri 2022
- Mosavali – Chinuri White Dry 2019
- Georgian Wine House – Saperavi (Zegaani) Red Dry 2018
- Sun Wine – Saperavi Qvevri Dry 2021
- Shumi – Saperavi Kvareli Qvevri Dry 2022 (I tasted many wines from them at previous shows as well, did not retaste)
- Mildiani
- Khikhvi Qvevri Dry 2018
- Rkatsiteli Qvevri Reserve Dry 2018 (oak)
- Giuaani (also tasted many in the past, did not retaste same ones). An amazing winery we almost always visit on this Signagi tour.
- Mtsvane Pet Nat 2023
- Mtsvane Qvevri 2014 – Personal Top Pick
- Ancient Valley (again, tasted many before at previous events, not retasted)
- Tvishi (Tsolikouri) Semi-Sweet 2023
- Saperavi 2023 (6 months oak)
- Alexandrouli 2020 (12 months oak)
- Kindzmarauli 2023
- Tibaneli
- Tibaani (Rkatsiteli) Dry Qvevri 2021
- Iqve
- Shavkapito-Tavkveri Qvevri Dry 2023
- Budeshuri Saperavi Qvevri Dry 2023
- Archil’s Wine
- Rkatsiteli Dry 2019 (6 month oak)
- Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) / Saperavi 2019 (6 month oak)
- Iotami – Saperavi Qvevri Dry 2023
- K’Home
- Mtsvane Qvevri 2021
- Rkatsiteli Qvevri 2021
- Rkatsiteli Qvevri 2022
- Mukhuzani Qvevri 2022 (oak)
- Orkoli – Otskhanuri Sapere Qvevri 2023
- Grande Alberone (Italy) – Platinum Collection Zinfandel 2021
- Siame – Mtsvane White Dry 2022
- Ateni Terraces – Goruli Mtsvane White Dry 2022
- Sister’s Wine – Tsarapi (Rkatsiteli) Qvevri Dry 2017 (also highly rated their Mtsvane, tasted previously)
- Dimitri’s Wine – Khashmi Saperavi 2022
- Blue Tie Wines – Rkatsiteli White Dry 2023
- Gavazi Estate – Saperavi Qvevri 2023
- Gonadze
- Alexandrouli Dry 2022
- Mujuretuli 2022
- Racha (Alexandrouli + Mujeretuli) Dry 2021
- Kvanchkara Semi Sweet 2023
- Dolidze
- Krakhuna White Dry 2023
- Tsolikouri White Dry 2023
- Chakveri 2020
- Krakhuna White Dry 2021
- Chelti
- Tsinandali 2023
- Saperavi Rosé 2023
- Khikhvi Qvevri 2022 – Personal Top Pick
- Saperavi Anniversary Semi-Dry 2016
- Saperavi Qvevri 2017 (12 month oak) – Personal Top Pick (Note: This wine made my list last year too, this year it won best in show, last year no award. No idea if it was submitted last year, but it has improved with 1 year more in the bottle)
- Vazisubani Estate
- “3 Qvevris” Mtsvane / Kisi / Khikhvi 2022
- Kisi Qvevri 2021
- “9 Bunches” Kisi 40% / Mtsvane 25% / Khikhvi 20% / Rkatsiteli 5% White Dry 2022
- Royal Kvanchkara – Alexandrouli Dry 2018 (oak)
- Svanidze
- Kisi / Mtsvane White Dry 2020 (oak)
- Mukhuazni 2020 (oak)
- Shabo (Ukraine)
- Pinot Grigio 2020
- Telti Kuruk White Dry 2020 (oak) – Personal Top Pick
- Chardonnay 2015
- Chardonnay / Reisling / Pinot Blanc Non-Vintage (Champagne Method)
- Brandy 2004
- Rero – Otskhanuri Sapere Qvevri Dry 2022
- Traditsiuli
- Kisi Qvevri 2021
- Khikhvi Qvevri 2019
- Kakhelebi – Saperavi Premium 2018
- Chaleli
- Chinuri (50%) / Goruli Mtsvane White Dry 2023
- Sauvignon Blanc White Semi-Dry 2023
- Agidela
- Sauvignon Blanc 2023 – Personal Top Pick
- Kite Sas – Saperavi 2022
- George Grey Winery
- “Green” Kisi Semi-Sweet 2020 (Amber wine + Saperavi skin pigment + grape juice concentrate)
- “Blue” Tsinandali Sweet 2022 (Tsinandali + Saperavi skin pigment + grape juice concentrate)
- 39 Qvevri
- Rkatsiteli Qvevri 2019
- Saperavi Qvevri 2022
- Bolero
- Tsinandali Sabado 2023
- Rkatsiteli Qvevri 2022
- Obcha
- Krakhuna Qvevri 2020
- Dzmebis Marani – Aladasturi (60%) / Saperavi (40%) 2023 (both grapes grown in Bolnisi area, very interesting experiment!)
- Parvus Cellar
- Rachuli Tetra Qvevri 2021
- Rachuli Tetra Qvevri 2020
- Alexandrouli Qvevri 2020
- Tiko Estate
- Rkatsiteli White Dry 2022 (9 month oak)
- Saperavi Red Dry 2020 (12 month oak)
- Saperavi Select Berries Red Dry 2020 (15 month oak)
- Shalvino (Shalva Gvaramadze)
- Saperavi Reserve 2018
- Saperavi Reserve 2019
- Tsereteli Winery
- Kvanchkara Semi-Sweet 2019
- Rkatsiteli Qvevri 2018
- Wine is Love
- Rkatsiteli White Dry 2023
- Chardonnay / Sauvignon Blanc 2023
- Crush 525 – Saperavi Qvevri 2022
- Avantdil – Tsarapi (Rkatsiteli Qvevri) 2022
- Armazi
- Rkatsiteli Qvevri 2021
- Khikhvi Qvevri 2022
- Zodi (tasted and rated previously for some wines not listed here, like Tsolikouri 2023 – Bronze) – they won 3 bronze and 1 silver at Expo, but there name is missing from the official awards list.
- Dzelshavi Rosé 2022
- Tsitska White Dry 2023 – Silver
- Dzelshavi Red Semi-Sweet 2023
- Mgaloblishvili (they told me they submitted no wines to the panel, they should have!)
- Rkatsiteli White Dry (Batonnage) 2022
- Saperavi Kvareli Red Dry 2022
- Saperavi Red Dry 2022 (12 month oak) – Personal Top Pick
- Khareba – Saperavi Red Dry 2017 (12 month oak)
- Chateau Nekresi – Mukhuzani 2021 (6 month oak)
111 wines, from 59 wineries in the upper category!
Thanks to The Amazing Winemakers!
Congratulations to all the amazing wineries that made it into our upper category ratings. As well as all the other amazing winemakers who continue to make the Georgian wine scene one of the most exciting and diverse in the world!
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List of Winners from the Wine Expo 2024 Tasting Panel
Headed by Tim Atkin MW. This is the full official list posted from their Facebook page.
Bronze
White Dry
Tiflisi Marani – Tsolikauri 2023
Marnis Mze – Rkatsiteli Aged In Oak 2022
Winery Chelti – Kisi 2023
Ancient Valley – Tsolikauri 2021
Mildiani Family Winery – Tsinandali Reserve 2020
Vinitor Mukuzani Traditional Winery – Khikhvi 2023
Geo Cube 2010 – Rkatsiteli Classic 2023
Pirveli Winery – Khikhvi1 2022
Terra Kisi Wines – Krakhuna Tsitska 2023
Winery Chelti – Chelti White Aged In Oak 2022
Anbani – Tsolikauri 2023
Chateau Svanidze – Mukuzani 2020
Chateau Svanidze – Saperavi Aged In Oak 2018
Irakli Getsadze – Chinuri 2023
Georgian Wine House – Goruli Mtsvane 2022
Lopota – Rkatsiteli Reserve 2020
Marniskari – Rkatsitel! 2021
Orona – Tsinandali 2023
Corporation Georgian Wine – Tsinandali 2022
Ancient Valley – Gvino Rachulad 2021
Chaleli – Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Beridzeta Marani Zesofel i- Khekhvi 2023
Gumbati – Bostogana Rkatsiteli 2022
White Dry Qvevri
Giga Chigladze – Kvishkhuri 2023
Giga Chigladze – Tsolikouri 2023
Tiflest Marani- Rkatsiteli Qvevri 2022
Wine Cellar Aragvele- Chine 2023
Iqve Winery – Chinebuli 2023
Iqve Winery – Manavis Misvane 2023
Avtandil Iromashvili – Tsaraphe 2022
Pirveli Winery – Khikhvi 2022
Dato Chikhladzes Marani – Mtsvivani 2023
Tiflisi Marani Kise Khikhvi Qvevri 2023
Armazi Winery – Khikhvi 2022
6000 B.C – Mtsvane Qvevri 2021
Khashmi Hills – Mtsvane. 2022
Vardiashvili Family Wine – Rkatsiteli 2022
Dato Chikhladzes Marani- Kakhuri Mtsvane 2023
Parvus Cellar – Rachuli Tetra 2020
39 Qvevri – Rkatsiteli 2022
Mildiani Family Winery – Rkatsiteli Reserve 2018
Corporation Georgian Wine – Rkatsiteli Qvevri 2022
Georgian Wine House – Mtsvane Qvevri 2019
Georgian Wine House – Rkatsiteli Qvevri 2019
Wine Cellar Aragveli – Qarva 2023
Winery Dema – Khikhvi 2022
Vazisubanit Estate – Kakhuri Mtsvane Qvevre 2021
Rtvelisl- Rkatsiteli Qvevi 2022
Traditsiult – Rkatsitell 2021
Rivelisi – Mtsvane Qvevri 2022
Kakhelebi – Kisi 2022
Red Dry Qvevri
6000 B.C. – Saperavi Qvevri 2022
Iqve Winery – Shavkapito-Tavkveri 2023
Shumi – Saperavi Qvevri 2022
Winery Chelti – Saperavi Qvevri 2020
Wine Well – Saperavi 2023
Real Service – Mukuzani 2023
Gavazi Estate – Saperavi 2023
Traditsiuli – Saperavi 2021
Terra Kisi Wines – Saperavi Qvevri 2021
Mildiani Family Winery – Saperavi Qvevri 2020
Shalva Gvaramadze Winery – Saperavi 2020
Vardiashvili Family Wine – Saperavi 2022
Vazisubani Estate – Saperavi Qvevri 2021
Givi Nemsadze – Saperavi 2023
Red Dry
Shermadini Management – Pinot Noir 2022 .
Georgian Wine House – Nestoreuli 2021
Wine Kakheti – Saperavi 2023
Marniskari – Mukuzani 2021
Chateau Nekresi – Saperavi 2018 .
Corporation Georgian Wine – Mukuzani 2020
Rtvelisi – Mukuzani 2022
Lopota – Saperavi Reserve 2020
Anbani – Saperavi Mukuzani 2021
Ancient Valley – Aleksandrouli Oak 2020
Meghvineoba Salkhino – Ojaleshi 2022
Winery Chelti – Saperavi Special Harvest 2018
Winery Chelti – Saperavi Heritage 2008
Mirkano Winery – Saperavi Khashmi 2022
Kindzmarauli – Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Kindzmarauli – Saperavi 2022
Obcha Winery – Saperavi 2020
Gumbati – Bostogana Sapheravi 2022
Vinitor Mukuzani Traditional Winery – Saperavi 2020
Rosé
Marniskari – Rose 2019
Chateau Svanidze – Rose 2022
Qvevri Wine Cellar – Pink Rkatsiteli 2022
Mirkano Winery – Rose 2022
Beridzeta Marani Zesofeli – Chkhaveri 2022
Red Semi Sweet
Ancient Valley – Khvanchkara 2021
Bolero & Company – Kindzmarauli 2022
Marniskari – Kindzmarauli 2021
Giga Chigladze – Dzelshavi 2023
Winery Chelti – Kindzmarauli 2023
Meghvineoba Salkhino – Ojaleshi 2023
Traditsiuli – Kindzmarauli 2022
Silver
White Dry Qvevri
Giga Chigladze – Gigas Wine – Tsitska 2023
Pirveli Winery – Mtsvane 2022
Kindzmarauli – Kisi Qvevri 2022
Pirveli Winery – Kisi 2022
Binekhi Winery – Rkatsiteli Qvevri 2016
Sunwine – Khikhvi 2022
39 Qvevri – Khikhvi 2022
Winery Chelti – Kisi Qvevri 2022
Binekhi Winery – Goruli Mtsvane Qvevri 2019
Crush 525 – Mtsvane-Khikhvi 2020
Labara – Tsolikouri 2020
Binekhi Winery – Khikhvi Qvevri 2021
Lopota – Chateau Buera – Rkatsiteli Qvevri Reserve 2020
Achia Winery – Achia 2022
Winery Dema – Mtsvane 2022
Lopota – Mtsvane Qvevri Reserve 2020
Wine Company Shumi – Iberiuli – Mtsvane Qvevri 2020
Winery Dema – Kosi 2022
Wine Company Shumi- Iberiuli – Khikhvi Qvevri 2020
Vazisubani Estate – Kisi Qvevri 2021
Shalva Gvaramadze Winery – Khikhvi 2018
David Bakhturidze – Pat’ra Marani – Rkatsiteli Qvevi 2021
Traditsiuli – Georgian – Khikhvi 2021
Shalva Gvaramadze Winery – Tsarapi 2020
Real Service – K’home Winery – Manavis Mtsvane 2021
Traditsiuli – Georgian – Mtsvane 2021
White Dry
Labara – Krakhuna 2022
Avandi – Avanduri Manavi 2022
Winery Chelti – Khikhvi 2023
Beridzeta Marani Zesofeli – Muskati 2023
Beridzeta Marani Zesofeli – Goruli Mtsvane 2023
Obcha Winery – Krakhuna 2020
Pirveli Winery – Mtsvane 2022
Winery Chelti – Krakhuna 2023
Pirveli Winery – Kisi 2022
Ateni Terraces – Atenuri 2022
Terra Kisi Wines – 5 Grapes Selection 2022
Nodos Wine – Tsolikaurii 2023
Mildiani Family Winery – Krakhuna 2023
Mildiani Family Winery – Chardonnay 2023
Anbani (Lomiskareli) – Pinot Blanc 2023
Mirkano Winery – Rkatsiteli 2022
Anbani – Iberia (by Lomiskarel)i – Kisi Amber 2023
Red Dry Qvevri
Sunwine – Saperavi 2021
Parvus Cellar – Aleqsandrouli 2020
Shano Family Winery – Budeshuri Saperavie 2022
Binekhi Winery – Otskanuri Sapere Qvevri 2020
Crush 525 – Speravi 2022
Shalva Gvaramadze Winery – Saperavi 2018
Georgian Wine House – Saperavi Qvevri 2018
Qvevri Wine Cellar – Saperavi 2022
Nodos Wine – Aladasturi 2023
39 Qvevri – Saperavi 2022
Winery Chelti – Saperavi Anniversery 2016
Red Dry
Ancient Valley – Saperavi Premium 2023
Bolero & Company – Daisi – Mukuzani 2022
Mildiani Family Winery – Saperavi Khashmi 2019
Kindzmarauli – Mukuzani Red Dry 2021
Villa Mosavali – Saperavi Reserve 2019
Mildiani Family Winery – Mukuzani Reserve 2018
Rtvelisi – Saperavi Merlo 2022
Kakhelebi – Saperavi Premium 2020
Binekhi Winery – Saperavi 2022
Winery Chelti – Saperavi 2021
Alpha Trading – Gonzalez Byass – Beronia Crianza 2020
Alvazi 2020 – Gonadze Vineyards – Racha 20221
Alvazi 2020 – Gonadze Vineyards – Mujuretuli 2022
Corporation Georgian Wine – Saperavi Carbonic Maceration 2022
Winery Chelti – Saperavi Aged In Oak Heritage 2015
Vinitor Mukuzani Traditional Winery – Mukuzan!I Aged In Oak 2020
Liana Matiashvile- Winwinari – Saperav) 2021
Obcha Winery – Otskhanuri Sapere 2020
Dimitri Oghrapishvili – Dimitri’s Wine – Khashmi Saperavi 2022
White Semi Sweet
Ancient Valley – Tvishi 2023
Mildiani Family Winery – Kisi 2022
Rose
Wine Company Shumi – Saperavi Rose 2023
Red Semi Sweet
Ancient Valley – Kindzmarauli 2023
Gold
Red Dry Qvevri
CHATEAU MEPHISKALAKI – SHAVKAPITO 2023
WINERY CHELTI – SAPERAVI QVEVRI AGED IN OAK 2017
TORELI WINERY – SAPERAVI 2022
Red Dry
WINERY CHELT! – KVARELI AGED IN OAK 2019
MILDIANI FAMILY WINERY – SAPERAVI RESERVE 2013
WINERY CHELTI – MUKUZANI AGEDIN OAK 2019
White Dry Qvevri
Sunwine – Kakhuri Mtsvivani 2022
Winery Chelti – Khikhvi Qvevri 2022
Armazi Winery – Rkatsiteli 2021
Mildiani Family Winery – Kisi Qvevri 2015
Mildiani Family Winery – Khikhvi Qvevri 2018
Traditsiuli – Georgian – Kisi 2021
White Dry
Bolero & Company – Sabado Classic – Tsinandali 2022
Vazisubani Estate – Estate Collection – Kisi 202!
Vazisubani Estate – 9 Bunches White 2022
Guruli Gvinoebi – Vineyard Dolidze – Krakhuna 2023
Orona – Siame – Kakhuri Mtsvane 2022
Guruli Gvinoebi – Vineyard Dolidze – Tsolikauri 2023
Chaleli – Chinuri Goruli Mtsvane 2023
Gumbati – Bostogana Kisi 2021
Red Semi Sweet
Alvazi 2020 – Gonadze Vineyards Khvanchkara 2023
Trophy
The best of show wines per category.
Red Dry
Mildiani Family Winery – Saperavi Reserve 2013
White Dry Qvevri
Mildiani Family Winery – Khikhvi Qvevri 2018
White Dry
Orona – Siame – Kakhuri Mtsvane 2022
Red Dry Oak
Winery Chelti – Mukuzani Aged In Oak 2019
Red Qvevri
Winery Chelti – Saperavi Qvevri Aged In Oak 2017
Red Semi Sweet
Alvazi 2020 – Gonadze Vineyards – Khvanchkara 2023
