A thoughtful Georgian red wine pairing can elevate your meal and wine experience to another level, as you’ll bring out the best in Georgian wines that are renowned for their deep flavors and bold tannins.
Offering uniquely complex and rich fruit characters, Georgian wines can act as a unique compliment to your food. This is thanks to the ancient process of burying grapes underground in earthenware pots and the fact that their grapes come from unique terroirs, made up of different soils and are a variety of elevations.
Today, we’re going to help you pair two of our favorite Georgian red wines (Saperavi and Kindzmarauli) with traditional Georgian dishes and American dishes.
Although there’s nothing quite like the authenticity of pairing with Georgian cuisine, we find there is a delightful contrast to be found between American barbecue dishes and these historical, semi-sweet Georgian red wines.
What Makes a Good Georgian Red Wine Pairing?
Wine and food pairing is always important. The goal is to integrate the drink with the food into one, delicious meal that exercises your pallet. It’s like setting up two people with great chemistry on a date, rather than two people who have nothing in common.
Both Saperavi and Kindzmarauli red Georgian wines feature unique tannins that break up the compounds in food to release extra flavor, while the food selection will help to neutralize the dryness you may experience in the wine. As always, we factor in the acidity of the wine, as that can refresh your palate while you eat, and the sweetness, which can pair well with otherwise bitter foods.
Traditional Georgian Food Pairings for Georgian Red Wine
Saperavi with Mtsvadi (Georgian Grilled Meat Skewers)
Often compared to Pinot Noir, our Saperavi dry red wines are made from Saperavi grapes harvested in Kakheti. With a unique complexity and pleasant astringency, you’ll experience ripe cherry, sharp blackberry notes, and bold tannins.
Try it: This 2016 Saperavi Reserve ($45) features notes of cherry and black pepper with hints of vanilla with powerful tannin structure and deep finish.
These qualities make the Saperavi go very well with the smoky, charred flavors of grilled pork or veal. Most traditionally, Georgians enjoy Saperavi alongside Mtsvadi – grilled meat skewers.
Georgians make their meat skewers extra tender and juicy, with a marinade that includes fresh pomegranate juice and a traditional spice mix called Khmeli Suneli.
Saperavi also pairs well with many other common barbecue ingredients such as feta, chicken, potatoes, and sardines.
Serving Temperature Tips: Saperavi is best served slightly lower than room temperature – around 60 to 64°F. This will help make the tennis and fruity flavors more distinctive.
Kindzmarauli & Khinkali (Georgian Dumplings)
With a semi-sweet profile similar to that of a Domfelder, our Kindzmarauli uses 100% Saperavi grape from Kindzmarauli.
Offering a great transition to sweet wines, for those who prefer dry wines, it has a velvety texture and a rich, juicy offering of cherry pie aromas and sweet black cherry.
Try it: This 2021 Kindzmarauli Semi-Sweet Red ($17.99) features notes of blueberry, rich currants, and hints of vanilla.
While commonly enjoyed with dark chocolate and black fruits, it makes a great pairing with Khinkali. Khinkali are traditional Georgian dumplings, stuffed with meat and spices. They are believed to have originated in 13th-century Mongolia and made their way to Georgia via the Silk Road.
Kindzmarauli’s semi-sweet profile balances delightfully with the rich, juicy meat filling of the dumplings, which tend to include a peppery broth and spices. Georgians often also drink Kindzmarauli with old sheep’s cheese.
To maximize the experience, you can suck the juice from the dumplings while taking your first bite. It’s also common etiquette to use your bare hands! Using a fork will burst the Khinkali, spilling the juice all over and not in your mouth.
Best American Food for Georgian Red Wine
Saperavi & Smoked Brisket
The previously mentioned, ruby-colored, cherry and pomegranate noted Saperavi also complements the American approach to barbecues. Particularly, with heavily smoked meats like Smoked Brisket.
Like bold reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Syrah, this Georgian red wine is a perfect match for the smoky, fatty texture of brisket.
Its naturally high acidity will cut through the brisket’s buttery fattiness, cleansing your palate with each sip. The strong tannins should also interact beautifully with the brisket’s protein.
Typical American barbecue sides like coleslaw or cornbread will round out the pairing.
Kindzmarauli & Dark Chocolate Brownies
Kindzmarauli’s rich blueberry and vanilla flavors make it a great and unique alternative to Port when paired with chocolate – particularly dark chocolate, or dark chocolate ice cream.
At Silk Road Wines, we are particular fans of enjoying Kindzmarauli with an American dark chocolate brownie dessert. The red fruit will enhance the cocoa flavors, while adding a touch of natural sweetness, in contrast to the dark chocolate’s bitterness.
As a result, you’ll find the desert less harsh and even more luscious.
We recommend serving Kindzmarauli red wine slightly child, between 54 to 57°F. In this temperature range, you’ll find the wine’s rich fruit flavors provide a sense of refreshment.
Order Georgian Red Wines to the U.S. Online
If you’re keen on pairing authentic Georgian red wines like Saperavi and Kindzmarauli with traditional dishes, and modern American favorites, then choose Silk Road Wines.
Silk Road Wines is a veteran-owned importer and distributor of natural Georgian wine, based in Orlando Florida.
Founded by Yanick Arakelov and Barry Greer, we sell directly to our customers, after importing and selecting wines based on a passion for wine and Georgia that has carried over, ever since Yanick arrived in the United States when he was 13.
We believe the best way to appreciate Georgian red wines is through experimentation, with your favorite dishes and traditional Georgian cuisine. Their complex notes and fruity aromas offer versatility, whether you’re enjoying an old Georgian meal, or putting a fresh twist on an American classic.
We welcome you to browse our online store today and subscribe to our newsletter to receive 10% off and to learn more about Georgian red wine.