UK Wine Professionals Explore Jighaura's Viticulture Heritage and Innovations

A delegation of wine connoisseurs, importers, and journalists from the United Kingdom, led by Master of Wine Sarah Abbott, recently embarked on a fascinating tour of the Jighaura Agricultural Scientific Research Center in Georgia. The visitors met with the Center's Director, Levan Ujmajuridze, and the Head of the Viticulture and Winemaking Research Service, David Chichua.

The UK professionals had the opportunity to explore the ampelographic collection cultivated at Jighaura's perennial crop experimental and demonstration base, immersing themselves in the rich history and culture of Georgian viticulture and winemaking.

During their visit, the group was offered the chance to sample wines produced from rare grape varieties grown at the center's base. Sarah Abbott, Director of the Swirl Wine Group, commended the outstanding quality of the Georgian wines. "The wines were truly impressive. It's heartening to see the consistent improvement in Georgia's wine quality. Our guests were able to appreciate the diversity of Georgian wine," said Abbott.

The Jighaura collection plantation preserves a staggering 350 foreign and 437 Georgian grape varieties, including a collection of unique and rare Georgian grapevines. These vines have undergone extensive search and restoration processes over the years. In tandem with the restoration efforts, the Agricultural Scientific Research Center continues to produce and research wines made from these uncommon grape varieties, further expanding the horizons of Georgian winemaking.