Georgia - June 24th

Cousins Wine Wine Bread Feast Rainbow

After breakfast and waiting for our guide two guys introduced themselves as cousins to one of the hotel staff requesting a photo. His smartphone kept falling over so I offered to take their picture. Then they wanted a picture with me: two cousins from Kuwait and me!!


Und wenn sie nicht gestorben sind ....

Then a nearly two hour drive into the north-eastern parts of Georgia - Wine tasting was on the program!!! I DON´T DRINK WINE!
Nevertheless, I was happy to visit a vineyard where we might have the chance to see the Georgian classic way of making wine. Unfortunately not - but bread baking was included. O K. We drove to on to one of Georgia´s largest vineyards where we were told the about the two contrasting methods of wine making and Renate was allowed to try 4 (her 2 plus my 2) different wines. Very modern, very professional and very organised. Then off to try our hand at their walnut sweet - Churchkhela - all on a string dipped in caramel-grape coating. Unfortunately a little Georgian brat stole mine before it solidified! And then baking Shoti bread in a tandoori type oven. (I have left out the fascinating 1 and 1/2 hours in the museum and castle, otherwise this blog will be too long to read in one go.)








Then on to yet another vineyard!!! But WOW! A vineyard the size of my friend Alfred´s garden or 
maximum half a football pitch. Vines with maize and roses growing between them. All sorts of fruit trees including a mulberry tree. Really friendly hosts (in the street Georgians don´t always smile, but they are exceedingly friendly) who showed us into their house. Lovely sitting room with nicely decorated table and a piano - and four holes in the floor!!!!!?????


Answer to the question - why are there four big holes in the floor. Because that is where we make our wine. The complete grape is tipped into a giant amphora in the ground, left to ferment, juice extracted and left to ripen as good Georgian wine and the rest is scooped out to make their brandy - Chacha!
Then a banquet of a meal. Renate and I paid 50 Lari each and the guide ate too - for 30 Euro. Wow!






PS These were just the starters!!



The smallest of the "holes" takes 800 litres!! If they had served beer it would have been my idea of paradise.
And then a spectacular rainbow on our way home.








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