Georgian wine PDO
Tvishi
3 min
Overview
Tvishi is one of Georgia's most distinctive and limited PDOs (Protected Designations of Origin), renowned for its naturally semi-sweet white wines made exclusively from Tsolikouri (ცოლიკოური). The appellation lies in the Lechkhumi highlands of western Georgia, where steep river valleys and cool mountain air create the ideal conditions for slow ripening and natural sugar retention.
The result is a delicately sweet, aromatic, and balanced white - a style that rivals the world's finest off-dry wines for harmony and poise. Tvishi has been celebrated since the early 20th century and remains one of Georgia's most internationally recognized semi-sweet whites, valued for its purity and precision rather than excess sweetness.
Geography & climate
The Tvishi PDO is situated in the Tsageri municipality of the Lechkhumi region, covering vineyards along the Rioni River valley near the villages of Tvishi and Alpana, at elevations between 400 and 600 meters.
The soils are predominantly sandy clay with limestone and shale, providing excellent drainage while retaining sufficient moisture for late-season ripening. The climate is humid subtropical with a mountainous influence - warm days, cool nights, and long autumns enable grapes to ripen slowly, developing high sugar content while preserving natural acidity.
Authorized grape varieties
- Tsolikouri - 100%
Only grapes grown within the official Tvishi microzone may be used in wines bearing the PDO name.
Wine styles & characteristics
- Color: pale golden with greenish reflections
- Aroma: ripe pear, honey, citrus, melon, and white flowers
- Taste: medium-bodied, naturally semi-sweet, with lively acidity and a clean mineral finish
- Alcohol: 11-12%
- Aging: typically stainless steel to preserve aromatic freshness
Tvishi wines balance sweetness and freshness with precision - lush on the palate but finishing clean and crisp.
Taste profile
- Aromas: honey, apricot, citrus peel, and fresh herbs
- Palate: smooth and fruity with natural sweetness balanced by bright acidity
- Finish: elegant, refreshing, with notes of pear and wet stone
Tvishi shows why Tsolikouri is one of Georgia's most adaptable grapes - equally capable of dry, sparkling, and semi-sweet wines of finesse.
Production rules
As defined by Georgia's National Wine Agency:
- Grapes must be sourced exclusively from the Tvishi microzone
- Maximum yield: 9 tons/ha
- No artificial sweetening permitted
- Alcohol: minimum 10.5%
- Minimum aging: 6 months before bottling
Food pairing
Tvishi's freshness and gentle sweetness pair beautifully with:
- Fresh cheeses, salads with fruit, or soft-rind cheeses
- Mildly spicy Asian cuisine
- Georgian walnut-based dishes (pkhali, badrijani nigvzit)
- Fruit desserts, pastries, or as a chilled aperitif
Serve well chilled, at 8-10 °C, to emphasize aromatics and acidity.
Summary
Tvishi PDO (ტვიში) represents the refined sweetness of western Georgia - a naturally semi-sweet white of elegance and balance. Made from 100% Tsolikouri grown on the mountain terraces of Lechkhumi, Tvishi stands as a masterclass in restraint: lush yet vibrant, fragrant yet clean. It remains one of Georgia's most harmonious expressions of terroir - a wine that whispers rather than shouts.
