Nestled along the Black Sea among the Caucasus mountains lies the beautiful Republic of Georgia. Known as the cradle of European civilization and famed for its rugged beauty, Georgia is also the birthplace of wine. Archeologists discovered evidence of winemaking in Georgia dating back to the 6th century BC. A bridge between East and West, Georgia lies at the center of the famed Silk Road.

What Is Amber Wine?

Qvevri Amber Wine is a high-tannin, complex wine that ranges in color from light yellow to amber to dark orange. This wine gains its intense color because the skins are left intact during fermentation. Hence Amber Wine is also called skin-contact or macerated wine. Typical alcohol content for these wines ranges from 11%-14%.

Georgian skin-contact wines are special because they are made using a process of fermentation practiced for more than 8,000 years. The process begins with hand-made terracotta pots called Qvevri (pronounced k-whe-air-vree). Once fired, the vessels are buried, filled with grapes, and left to ferment. Several types of wine are made in Qvevri; only Amber Wines are fermented with the skins intact. 

What Kind of Grapes Make Amber Wine?

There are several types of grapes that star in Georgian Amber Wines. Most of them are grown in the eastern part of Georgia in a region called Kakheti. A mountainous area dotted with fertile valleys, Kakheti is a former principality of the Kingdom of Georgia. Kakheti’s legacy of viticulture goes back hundreds of generations. 

The most prominent of these Amber Wine grapes grown in this region include the following grapes::

Rkatsiteli

This grape comes from the word ‘red stem’ in Georgian and is famous for being able to withstand extremely cold temperatures. Rkatsiteli Qvevri wines are dry ambers aged 6 months with notes of honey, apricot, apple, and spice.

Khikhvi

Khikhvi Qvevri wine is often lighter in color than its Rkatsiteli, and is also a dry amber wine. Khikhvi tasting notes include lemongrass, honey, camomile, citrus and green apple with a dry finish.

Mtsvane and Kisi

Mtsvane and Kisi are indigenous white grapes used to make Amber Wines, like the well-balanced cuvée Amber Sec.

Every Amber wine is different because of the grape varietal(s) and the Qvevri process. All Silk Road wines are made from grapes which are native to the country of Georgia. 

What is The Difference Between Amber Wine and Orange Wine?

When exploring Amber Wine, you’ll also see the term ‘Orange Wine.’ This is because the wines range in color from light yellow to dark amber. Orange Wine is not made from oranges—it is skin-contact, Amber Wine. Simply put: there is no difference! Orange Wine is Amber Wine.

What Gives Amber Wine its Color?

This distinct wine gets its color from the way it is fermented. Grapes go into the Qvevri with skins left on, and the skins give Amber Wine its singular flavor and luminous appearance.

What Do Georgian Amber Wines Taste Like?

Much fuller-bodied than white wines, Amber Wines range in flavor from slightly sweet to very dry, with aromas of dried fruits, white stone fruits, and herbs. Amber Wines possess tannic qualities of reds with the silky floral notes of whites. Qvevri wines like Amber Sec, Khikhvi, and Rkatsiteli, will have a rounded, resolved mouthfeel, while younger wines may taste “green.” The tannic complexities pair well with savory recipes and meat dishes.

The Best Way To Taste Wine

To truly taste wine, approach with several key attributes in mind, like sweetness, alcohol content, and body. Learn more about the five basic characteristics of wine in order to deepen your experience.

The main thing to ask yourself when drinking wine is: do I like it?

Serving And Storing Amber Wine 

When it comes to Amber Wine, remember this: cool, not cold, and never lukewarm. Storing wine properly is the first step to a successful pour.

To artfully serve, allow time for the wine to achieve the ideal temperature of 55℉ (or 12-15℃). If pouring Amber Wine at a party, put it in the refrigerator 20 minutes prior to guests’ arrival. If the wine has been chilled overnight, remove it from the fridge 20 minutes before imbibing.

Food Pairing Ideas for Amber Wine

When choosing a menu, note whether you aim for congruent or complementary pairings. Do you want food to complement the wine by contrasting it, or magnify the wine’s profile by working in concert? 

Georgian Amber Wines pair well with meat, dried fruit, and garlicky dishes. One rule of thumb—avoid overly sweet items, and choose savory. A few examples of food pairing ideas for Amber Wine:

• Bleu cheese
• Roasted lamb 
• Lemon-garlic potatoes
• Lentils
• Curry

Where To Buy Amber Wine From Georgia

Silk Road Wines gives you the chance to enjoy Georgian skin-contact wines without traversing the globe. A veteran-owned importer and distributor of natural Georgian wine based in Florida, Silk Road offers several Amber Wine varieties:

Khikhvi Qvevri

Khikhvi Qvevri is a natural, skin-contact wine aged six months in qvevri. Notes of lemongrass, honey, herbal tea, citrus and apple are finished with a dry, clean mouthfeel. Made with 100% Khikhvi grapes from Kakheti, Khikhivi Qvevri pairs with kalamata olives, gruyere cheese, pate, and oysters.

Rkatsiteli Qvevri

Rkatsiteli Qvevri is made from 80% Rkatsiteli and 20% Mtsvane grape from Kakheti. Aged six months in qvevri, it has notes of honey, apple, and apricot, with a hint of spice. Pair with blue cheese, Honey, and Green Apple; or pizza, meat, and spicy food.

Amber Sec

Amber Sec is a delicate Kakheti cuvée, perfectly balanced with a light finish. It is not fermented in the traditional qvevri method, but demonstrates the evolution of modern Georgian winemaking. A semi-sparkling wine with aromas of yellow and white stone fruits, Amber Sec pairs well with fish, seafood, cheese, dried fruit, and charcuterie.

Be Romanced by Georgian Amber Wines

Are you captivated by Georgia’s winemaking tradition? Don’t stop with Amber Wines! Explore the delights of Silk Road’s Saperavi, Kisi, Mukuzani, and many others.

Silk Road is the best place to start your explanation of Georgian Amber Wines. We are passionate about wine and proud to offer these traditional wines from Georgia.