Georgia has a strong claim to be the birthplace of wine, with archaeological evidence of winemaking going back around eight thousand years, and it also has a deep cheese tradition that gets far less attention. A tasting in Tbilisi brings the two together in a single relaxed evening. Seated at a table, usually in a wine bar or a small cellar, you taste a flight of Georgian wines alongside a board of local cheeses and breads while a host explains what you are drinking. Expect white wines made the European way and amber wines made by fermenting white grapes with their skins in buried clay jars called qvevri, along with reds from the saperavi grape, one of the darkest and most characterful in the world. The cheeses vary from fresh, brined sulguni to firmer, smoked and aged styles, and the pairings show how the sour, salty and tannic notes balance each other.
How to visit
The tasting is a short, indoor experience that suits an evening in the old town. It usually lasts around two hours, in a small group seated at a shared table, and you do not need any knowledge of wine. Check when you book how many wines and cheeses are included and whether bread, snacks or a short talk about qvevri winemaking are part of the programme. Mention allergies and dietary needs, and tell the host if you prefer to taste in small sips.
What to expect
The host will start with the story of Georgian winemaking, from the clay jars buried in the ground to the Soviet years and the revival of family cellars. Amber wines surprise many first-timers with their tea-like tannins and deep colour, while whites such as rkatsiteli, mtsvane and kisi show different faces of the same tradition, and saperavi brings dark fruit and structure.
The cheeses are matched to the wines in sequence, and the host usually explains the cheese-making methods, the role of brine and why the sulguni of the west is stretched and layered. Questions are welcome and there is no pressure to finish a glass.
Making the most of it
Book the tasting before a day trip to Kakheti, so you arrive in the vineyards already knowing the grapes, or after it, to compare what you drank at the cellars. It is also an easy choice on a cold or wet evening, or as a lighter alternative to a long supper.
If you like a wine, ask where to buy it, because many bottles are made in small quantities and are easier to find in Tbilisi wine shops than abroad. The tasting works for couples, small groups of friends and solo travellers who want to meet other people over a glass.
Good to know
Qvevri winemaking was inscribed by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, and a good host will show a clay jar and explain the process of pressing, skin contact and ageing. If you drink little, you can taste in small sips and share a glass. Tasting menus are usually fixed, but let the host know if you prefer drier wines or want to focus on reds. The best way to keep the memory alive is to buy a bottle and drink it at home with a Georgian cheese.
What to expect
The experience
A seated tasting of Georgian wines and cheeses with a host who explains the grapes, qvevri method and pairings.
Best time
Evening, before or after a day trip to Kakheti.
How long
About two hours.
Tips
Mention allergies, ask where to buy bottles and pace your sips.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Wine lovers and anyone who wants a short, relaxed evening activity.
- Families
- Better for adults; the focus is on wine.
- Couples
- An easy, intimate evening in the old town.
- Pair with
- The Kakheti wine day trip or the Georgian supper.
- Time needed
- An evening.
Good questions
What wines will I taste?+
Typically a mix of white, amber and red Georgian wines, including qvevri styles and saperavi. The exact flight changes.
What is qvevri wine?+
It is wine fermented and aged in large clay jars buried in the ground, a method inscribed on UNESCO’s intangible heritage list.
Do I need to know about wine?+
No. The host explains everything, and the tasting is designed for beginners as well as enthusiasts.
Is the tasting suitable for vegetarians?+
Yes, cheese and bread are vegetarian, though some cheeses may use animal rennet. Ask if this matters to you.
Can I buy the wines afterwards?+
Often yes, or the host can suggest shops in Tbilisi. Check when you book.
