Starting  May 23rd, the Embassy of Georgia and the Maps Museum invite you to visit the exhibition Georgia – The Cradle of Wine. Curated by David Chachava, counselor at the Embassy of Georgia, and Ioana Zamfir, curator at the Maps, Museum, this exhibition aims to promote Georgian wine culture and tradition while creating connections between the museum’s heritage and collections from other institutions. The exhibition features photographs, old maps, costumes, and objects related to wine production and Georgian culture, provided by the National Museum of Georgia, the National Tourism Administration of Georgia, the National Wine Agency of Georgia, the National Library of the Parliament of Georgia, the Embassy of Georgia, and the Maps Museum.

The opening reception will take place on Wednesday, May 22nd, at 6:00 PM.

The exhibition will be open from May to June 2024, with visiting hours from Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Ticket price: 10 lei.

Georgia features an ancient civilization and a rich cultural heritage, highlighted by its unique alphabet and language. Georgia is renowned as the world’s oldest wine region, with evidence of vine cultivation dating back as far as 8 000 years ago. This assertion is supported by archaeological findings, including 8 000-year-old seeds of the cultivated grape variety Vitis vinifera sativa, and the discovery of massive clay wine-fermenting vessels known as Qvevri (ქვევრი), in a Neolithic settlement in eastern Georgia in 2015. Additionally, many etymologists believe that the modern word “wine” is derived from the ancient Georgian term gvino (ღვინო).
Rich in legend, ceremony and heritage, the Georgian culture is well known for its profound reverence for winemaking. Renowned poets, writers, and travelers have depicted Georgia in their works as a land steeped in ancient wine-growing and winemaking traditions. One of the earliest mentions comes from Apollonius of Rhodes, who praises Georgia in his epic poem Argonautica, composed around 295 BC.
The excellence and uniqueness of Georgian wines are largely attributed to the wide array of indigenous grape varieties and the ideal combination of soil and climate conditions. Centuries of experimentation have yielded distinctive wine styles from each region, ranging from light-bodied whites to full-bodied reds, and even rich dessert wines, including Ice-wine. Consequently, it is fair to say that Georgia produces wines to suit every palate!
The care devoted to viticulture has preserved over 500 authentic Georgian grape varieties, 38 of which are currently utilized in commercial wine production. In 2013, the traditional Georgian Qvevri winemaking method was recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This designation elevated the Qvevri to a symbol of the profound cultural heritage of Georgian wine and the authenticity of its winemaking traditions.
With an 8 000-year tradition of cultivation, characterized by unique Qvevri winemaking techniques and the use of distinctive native grape varieties, Georgian wine continues to exhibit excellent growth potential globally and is currently exported to more than 60 countries.