Climate and geography: Towards the Black Sea

The regions of Apkhazeti, Adjara, Guria, and Samegrelo are all known for both semi-sweet and dry wines. Guria, in the south west, is humid and subtropical. Vines are mainly in the Suspa and Gubazouli Valleys and mostly still trained using the tradional methods known as maghlari (up trees) or olikhnari (up low trees or tall poles) and the main varieties are Chkhaveri, Jani, Mtevandidi, and Skhilatubani. Samegrelo, the ancient region of Colchis, is also humid and subtropical with long summers and cold winters. Ojaleshi is the main variety, plus Chergvali, Cheshi, Chvitiluri, and others, all mostly maghlari trained. Apkhazeti is the historic winemaking region of north-western Georgia planted mainly with Avasirkhva, Amlakhu, and Kachichi. Adjara, which has many different climatic microzones, has seen a revival of viticulture and winemaking in recent years. The local varieties are Brola, Khopaturi, and Mekrenchkhi.