Georgian wine PDO
Sviri
3 min
Overview
Sviri is one of western Georgia's most respected Protected Designations of Origin, best known for its dry white wines made from the traditional Imeretian blend of Krakhuna (კრახუნა), Tsitska (წიწკა), and Tsolikouri (ცოლიკოური). Located in the heart of Imereti near Zestaponi, the Sviri microzone has produced wine for centuries and is prized for its balance of freshness, texture, and mineral clarity.
Sviri represents the classic Imeretian style: restrained fruit, vibrant natural acidity, and quiet depth shaped by clay-limestone soils and gentle extraction. These are wines made to accompany food - honest, stable, and enduring - the everyday white of western Georgia elevated to PDO status.
Geography & climate
The Sviri PDO includes the villages of Sviri, Obcha, and Kveda Sviri, situated along the Kvirila River in the Zestaponi municipality of Imereti. Vineyards lie at 200-400 meters above sea level on softly rolling hills with mixed clay and limestone soils that retain moisture while allowing good drainage.
The climate is humid subtropical with continental influence. Mild winters, long warm summers, and moderate rainfall encourage slow, even ripening and aromatic development, resulting in wines with moderate alcohol and naturally fresh acidity.
Authorized grape varieties
- Krakhuna - 40%
- Tsitska - in varying proportions
- Tsolikouri - in varying proportions
Together, these three varieties define Imereti's white wine identity: Krakhuna contributes body and texture, Tsitska brings brightness and floral lift, and Tsolikouri adds balance and gentle fruit.
Wine styles & characteristics
- Color: pale straw to soft golden yellow
- Aroma: white orchard fruit, citrus peel, acacia blossom, and subtle honeyed notes
- Taste: dry and medium-bodied, with lively acidity, gentle minerality, and a slightly waxy texture
- Alcohol: typically 11.5-13%
- Aging: commonly in stainless steel or neutral oak; traditional producers often ferment or age in small churi (Imeretian qvevri)
Sviri wines favor precision over intensity, offering freshness and understated complexity rather than overt power.
Taste profile
- Aromas: green apple, quince, citrus blossom, and fresh herbs
- Palate: crisp and mineral, with a rounded mid-palate provided by Krakhuna
- Finish: clean, saline, and gently nutty
Churi-aged expressions develop amber hues, soft tannins, and savory notes of tea and dried herbs, creating a tactile and quietly age-worthy style.
Production rules
According to regulations set by Georgia's National Wine Agency:
- Grapes must come exclusively from the Sviri microzone
- Maximum yield: 10 tons per hectare
- Minimum alcohol: 11%
- Wine must be produced in a dry style
- Minimum aging: 9 months before release
Food pairing
Sviri's acidity and mineral profile make it especially versatile at the table:
- Grilled trout and other freshwater or white fish
- Roasted poultry, chicken in herb sauces, and vegetable-based stews
- Imeretian khachapuri, local cheeses, and walnut dishes
- Shellfish and light Mediterranean cuisine
Serve at 10-12 °C to highlight freshness and precision.
Summary
Sviri PDO (სვირი) captures the essence of Imeretian white wine - balanced, mineral, and quietly expressive. Its classic blend of Krakhuna, Tsitska, and Tsolikouri reflects western Georgia's philosophy of freshness and restraint. Subtle yet distinctive, Sviri stands as a cornerstone of Georgian white wine and a benchmark for elegance rooted in tradition.