Tsolikouri

Tsolikouri originates from the Kolkhida Lowland of western Georgia, where it has been cultivated for centuries as part of the country's ancient winemaking traditions. It belongs to the Kolkhetian grapevine family (Proles pontica subproles) and is found across Imereti, Lechkhumi, Samegrelo, Guria, Adjara, and Abkhazia. The Imereti region is considered its heartland, where brown clay soils with stony sandy underlay provide particularly favorable growing conditions at around 160 meters elevation.

• Originates from the Kolkhida Lowland of western Georgia
• Grows across at least six distinct western Georgian regions
• Imereti is the primary region, offering brown clay soils over stony sandy underlay
• Thrives in a warm, humid, moderately continental climate with generous sunshine hours

Tsolikouri is a light yellow-skinned white grape with a distinctive appearance in the vineyard. Young shoots carry a thick, felt-like coating, and mature leaves are a deep, dark green. The bunches are medium-sized with relatively thick skins, which give the variety its reliable resistance to fungal diseases, an important trait given western Georgia's humid conditions. The vine begins producing fruit in its second year after planting, reaching full harvest yields by the third or fourth year. As a late-ripening variety, the grapes mature by mid-October and develop naturally high sugar levels.

• Light yellow-skinned white grape with thick-skinned, medium-sized bunches
• Young shoots have a distinctive thick, felt-like coating
• Late-ripening, reaching maturity by mid-October with naturally elevated sugar levels
• Thick skins provide resistance to fungal diseases in humid western Georgia

Tsolikouri is one of Georgia's most versatile white grapes, capable of producing dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet, and naturally sweet dessert wines, as well as sparkling wines and orange wines made via traditional qvevri fermentation. When fermented in qvevri clay amphoras with extended skin contact, the grape yields the amber-hued, textured orange wines Georgia is internationally renowned for. It is frequently blended with Tsitska, Krakhuna, and Tetra to add body and aromatic richness. Tvishi, a widely celebrated semi-sweet wine produced in Lechkhumi, holds PDO status and stands as the grape's most recognized single expression.

• Produces dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet, dessert, sparkling, and qvevri-fermented orange wines
• Tvishi is a PDO semi-sweet wine from Lechkhumi made entirely from Tsolikouri
• Commonly blended with Tsitska, Krakhuna, and Tetra
• Often fermented or matured in oak, as well as traditionally in qvevri amphoras

Tsolikouri produces full-bodied white wines with layers of fruity and floral character. The aromatic profile centers on citrus, green apple, pear, melon, and apricot. Dry expressions tend to be fresh and fruit-driven, while qvevri-fermented versions add texture, tannin grip, and oxidative complexity. The naturally high sugar levels in the grape make it well suited to semi-sweet and dessert styles, where stone fruit and melon notes come to the fore.

• Signature aromas of citrus, green apple, pear, melon, and apricot
• Full-bodied with layered fruity and floral flavors
• Qvevri fermentation adds texture and oxidative complexity
• Naturally high sugar levels suit semi-sweet and dessert wine production

Tsolikouri has been cultivated in Georgian winemaking traditions for centuries and carries considerable historical weight. During the Soviet era, the grape was grown in Orzhonikidze vineyards and was considered among Georgia's high-quality varieties alongside Chkhaveri and Izabella. Soviet leader Joseph Stalin was historically known to esteem the grape. Today, Tsolikouri is among the most widespread of Georgia's more than 400 documented indigenous varieties and remains central to the identity of western Georgian winemaking, supported by notable producers including Teliani Valley, Baia's Wine, Askaneli, and Oda Wines.

• Cultivated for centuries within Georgia's ancient winemaking traditions
• Grown in Orzhonikidze vineyards during the Soviet period; historically favored by Joseph Stalin
• Considered a high-quality variety alongside Chkhaveri and Izabella
• Among the most widespread of Georgia's 400+ indigenous grape varieties