The holiday season is fast approaching — a period marked by quality time with family and friends, food — and a steady flow of wine. This year, instead of reaching for the usual bottle from Napa or Bordeaux, consider pairing your Thanksgiving turkey or holiday roast with a wine from Georgia.

What Are The Best Holiday Wine Pairings?

Holiday meals, which are traditionally rich and meat-centric, naturally lend themselves to red wine. Medium-bodied reds like pinot noir and Alazani feature a smooth, fruit-forward profile that pairs well with lighter meats like poultry and pork. More robust dishes like roasts, prime rib, and lamb are complemented by bold, full-bodied wines such as Saperavi, cabernet sauvignon, and syrah. These red wines typically feature a higher alcohol content than their white and amber counterparts.

If you prefer a lighter option, consider an amber wine, a distinctive choice with a golden hue achieved through prolonged skin contact. Unique to Georgia, amber wines are made using the traditional qvevri process, which give the wine earthy, complex notes that balance well with lighter holiday dishes like roasted vegetables, poultry, and seafood. Finish your meal with a semi-sweet wine, like a Khvanchkara, or a fortified wine such as port. Or, alternatively, pop open a bottle of sparkling to add a festive touch. 

Why Choose Georgian Wine

Georgia’s wine industry is both up-and-coming — it’s quickly gaining popularity and recognition abroad for its high quality and bold flavors — and deeply rooted in history. The country, which is nestled in the Caucasus region at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia (and not to be confused with the U.S. state), is known as the birthplace of wine, with the practice of winemaking dating back more than 8,000 years. Georgia’s unique and exceptional wine is a result of ancient winemaking techniques, diverse grape varieties, and its unique climate. The traditional use of qvevri — large clay vessels used to ferment and age wines — imparts complex flavors, while the country’s diverse terroir lends itself to wines known for their earthy depth and vibrant character. 

Which Georgian Wines to Serve and with What

Silk Road offers a variety of high-quality Georgian wines that would make a unique and festive addition to your holiday lineup.

Red Georgian Wines

• Saperavi is the most common red grape variety in Georgia. It’s one of the world’s few teinturier grapes, meaning that both the skin and flesh are red, resulting in the wine’s deep hue. This 2020 Saperavi wine ($14.99) has the weight and feel of a Rhône blend, with notes of tart cherry and pomegranate, and aromas of cinnamon and pepper. It pairs well with hearty meat dishes like steak and lamb, as well as creamy or cheese-based sauces. 

• Mukuzani is a special type of Saperavi wine, made exclusively with grapes from the Mukuzani microzone, known for its unique soil and climate conditions that enhance the wine’s depth and complexity. This bottle of 2020 Mukuzani ($18.99) is aged in French oak barrels for eight months, giving it a long, smooth finish and imparting it with notes of dark plum, blackberry, vanilla and spice. Mukuzani is known for its versatility, and complements rich meats, barbeque, stews, and  mature cheeses.

• Khvanchkara is a medium-bodied, naturally semi-sweet red wine made from two native grape varietals, aleksandrouli and mujuretuli. This light, ruby-colored 2020 Khvanchkara ($22.99) features notes of berries, with floral and vanilla undertones. It pairs well with desserts, fruit, and creamy cheeses.

White Georgian Wines

• Khikhvi is a dry, white, single varietal wine made from 100% khikhvi grapes from Kakheti. This 2017 Khikhvi wine ($18.99) features aromas of ripe pears, exotic fruits, and floral tones, with a gentle acidity and smooth finish. It pairs well with seafood, poultry, salad, and goat cheese. 
• Kisi is a dry, white, single-varietal wine crafted from 100% kisi grapes sourced from Tsinandali. This 2020 Kisi ($18.99) presents an elegant bouquet of pineapple, grapefruit, and melon, delivering a well-balanced and harmonious aroma. It has a bright, crisp, refreshing character with a lingering finish. Kisi pairs well with lighter meats, seafood, vegetables, and pasta dishes.

Amber Georgian Wines

• Khikhvi Qvevri is made with the same grapes as khikvi white wine, but they are aged, skin-on in a qvevri for six months, giving it earthy, complex flavors and notes of lemongrass, honey, herbal tea, citrus, and apple with a dry easy finish. In general, amber wine pairs best with dishes that have strong, salty, and umami flavors like olives, pate, gruyere cheese, and this 2017 Khikvi amber wine ($25.99) is no exception. 

• Rkatsiteli Qvevri is another skin-contact amber wine made from a blend of 80% rkatsiteli and 20% mtsvane grapes from the Napareuli microzone in Kakheti. This 2017 Rkatsiteli ($25.99) has notes of honey, apple, apricot, and a hint of spice. It is a versatile wine, and pairs well with both red and white meat, aged cheeses, and spicy dishes.

Our Holiday Wine Gift Guide

Sparkling

You can’t go wrong with a bottle of bubbly, and Silk Road offers three semi-sparkling varieties: a 2020 rosé sec ($17.99), a 2021 extra brut ($17.99), and a 2022 amber sec ($17.99). 

Saperavi Reserve 

Impress the wine love in your life with a bottle of 2016 Saperavi Reserve ($45). This premium dry red wine is aged in oak barrels for eight months and features a powerful tannin structure with a deep, velvety finish. It’s balanced, rich, and full-bodied, with notes of cherry, black pepper, and vanilla.   

Rosé Qvevri

This limited-edition 2019 organic rosé ($28.99) offers drinkers the best of both worlds — a modern rosé, made using Georgia’s traditional qvevri method. The wine is stored, skin-on, in a giant clay vessel during fermentation and aging, imparting it with rich, complex flavors and a distinct texture.

Order Your Bottle of Georgian Wine Today!

For wine lovers and casual drinkers alike, Georgian wine presents a unique fusion of ancient winemaking traditions and rare grape varieties, delivering rich flavors and distinct profiles that cater to a range of tastes.

Silk Road Wines, a veteran-owned importer and distributor based in Orlando, Florida, offers a curated selection of Georgian wines that are accessible and budget-friendly, ensuring there’s a perfect bottle for every palate.

Explore Silk Road’s collection and elevate your wine experience — discover the magic of Georgian winemaking by ordering your bottle today.