QVEVRI

The great Georgian tradition (Georgia in the Caucasus) of making wines in terracotta “Qvevri” is dating back to about 6,000 BCE. Qvevri (Georgian: ქვევრი) is a large (100-5000 liters) earthenware vessel, resembling an egg in shape.

The qvevri wine making is carried in qvevri completely buried in the ground, so that even the outlet neck of it remains below ground level. The most unusual and archaic, the most traditional Georgian qvevri wines is of course white Kakhetian qvevri wine (also known as orange or amber wine), macerated for several months with the skins, seeds and stems of the grapes in the buried qvevri.

The best qvevris were made from special clay with high lime content - marlstone. That's why such qveris after being fired gained the highest strength. Nowadays, marlstone is used for cement - concrete production.

Concrete

The concrete wine tank acts very much like terracotta vesell in creating texture without imparting vanillan, spice, etc. While having the same micro-oxygenation properties as terracotta, concrete is very durable, long-lasting and water resistant material. Concrete wine vessels can withstand even the harshest Canadian climates. Besides, concrete cools or heats up slowly like terracotta. Once concrete wine tanks are heated or cooled they retain their temperature. Compared with stainless steel wine aged in concrete has better texture and mouth feeling; it has fuller, rounder, and more complex flavor. Concrete wine tanks can be bured underground providing quality watertight structures that withstand the tests of time and the forces of nature.

Next

Who I Am

Qvevrica was established by concrete artisan Enriko Kobiashvili. I have worked 30 years as a concrete engineer in tunneling and in decorative concrete business. The modern qvevri making was driven by an idea to implement new materials and technologies while keeping all benefits of the traditional qvevri.

While developing the new aproaches, I together with my Georgian friends, also promote the unique Georgian traditional, old style, qvevris. For more information about the traditional qvevris and wines from diffrent regions of Georgia please visit >>> domainegeorgia.com

Next

MODERN QVEVRI "QVEVRICA"

the beauty of Qvevri with the force of Concrete

Using the traditional Georgian terracotta qvevris for winemaking I have found that there are several ways to improve their perfomance. For example instead of the heavy stone or mortar layer which should be biult in situ during qvevris instalation to protect them I began to use prefabricated concrete layer. I also added stand to use the qvevri above the ground and modern fittings so the contemporary qvevri “Qvevrica” was born Quality modern wine tank "QVEVRICA" is designed and made by hand in Georgia and Canada.Affordable and stylish alternative to mass-produced wine tanks,"QVEVRICA" provides classic egg design for your winery which is functional and built to last. "QVEVRICA" has a unique system of layering different types of silicates materails that makes strong tank without the need for a steel reinforcement. The inside smooth layer of "QVEVRICA" is made of the pure low ph composite, ceramic or terracotta mix without any chemicals, the middle load bearing layer is made from fiber reinforced concrete and the outer rustic layer from lime-cement decorative protective mix. The result is an innovative line of contemporary qvevris tanks for the production of both white and red wines. Currently, I am offering handmade Qvevricas up to 1600 liters (2500 lit will be available soon).

Wines made in Qvevrica

 

“ ‘Cobaw Ridge Il Pinko’, We have continued to use the qvevri solely for rose. The '16 & ' 17 both received similar high praise from the general media which was nice ( can't get much better than being called the best rose in Australia ?! ... twice !)” Alan Cooper, Cobaw Ridge winery, Australia

“The ‘Rahul’ skin-contact white is a delicious and approachable wine. Tinged orange from a short time of contact with the grape skins; the varied offerings of the Bacchus grape (which thrives in a cold British climate) makes for a light, fresh but well-structured white, with aromatic notes of peach and elderflower”. Hannah Crosbie ( Table Magazine) 'Rahul’ Qvevri Bacchus 2018, Renegade Winery, London , UK

“ ‘Flora & Fauna Amber’, Floral and spicy flavours of lilac, Asian spices, burnt orange peel and orange pekoe tea, leading to hints of aromatic Rose petal on the nose and a long finish. The Amber Wine is 100% Gewürztraminer from our Sage Brush Vineyard. Fermented on the skins for 38 days and aged for 8 months in concrete qvevri” Desert Hill Winery, BC , Canada

Salut! My customers are my first priority; please contact for timely quotes/pricing, for answers about products and order. I look forward to hearing from you. Cheers!

email me

ph +1 514 447-4938

  • © QVEVRICA2020