GEORGIAN WINE RANKED BY A NEW YORK TIMES 25TH AMONG 52 REMARKABLE things to experience

A wine revival at the foot of the Caucasus. Georgia has all the makings of the next great wine destination: the world’s longest-running unbroken wine tradition (underground fermentation in clay vessels), hundreds of indigenous grape varieties, stunning landscapes and a band of vintners espousing natural methods. Its output has all become easier to sample, too, thanks to wine bars in the capital, Tbilisi (Konka, Vino Underground), a marked wine trail in Kakheti
and wineries (Pheasant’s Tears, Iago’s Winery, Winery Khareba) serving traditional and modern Georgian cuisine. Those varietals will be feted this year at four major events: the New Wine Festival, Wine City Tbilisi at Tbilisifest, Telavino and the Tbilisi Cheese Festival. Taste Georgia, a new local venture, can arrange food and wine tours, private meals with winemakers and tastings in Kakheti and beyond. – Robyn Eckhardt