History of Georgia

The data on the ancient traditions if vine-growing and high quality winemaking in Georgia, /Iberia, Colchis/ can be found in the works of such great figures of ancient times, as Homer and Apollonius of Rhodes and even in the legend about the \ Argonauts. These facts are laid as background for some scholars to prove that, just Transcaucasus and particularly Georgia, was the original country for the first cultured grape varieties and they were spread ' to other European countries just from here. Some even consider, that the Georgian word "gwino" for wine, is of Georgian origin. So, it goes without doubt that the ancient varieties of Georgian grapes are of local origin. This assumption was proved by archaeologists, when finding huge clay jugs /kvevri/ for wine storage, made with great skill two-three thousand years ago and also grape seeds dated back to 6-7 thousands years.