Georgian wine PDO
Sviri
3 min
Overview
Sviri is one of western Georgia's most respected PDOs (Protected Designations of Origin), celebrated for its dry white wines crafted from a traditional blend of Krakhuna (კრახუნა), Tsitska (წიწკა), and Tsolikouri (ცოლიკოური). Situated in the Imereti region, near the town of Zestaponi, the Sviri microzone has produced wine for centuries and is known for its precise balance of freshness, body, and minerality - the defining traits of western Georgian whites.
Sviri represents the archetype of Imeretian winemaking: restrained fruit, natural acidity, and a quiet depth that comes from clay-limestone soils and gentle winemaking. Its wines are gastronomic, honest, and enduring - the everyday white of western Georgia, raised to PDO status.
Geography & climate
The Sviri PDO covers the villages of Sviri, Obcha, and Kveda Sviri, located along the Kvirila River in the Zestaponi municipality of Imereti. Vineyards sit between 200 and 400 meters above sea level, on rolling hills with mixed clay and limestone soils - fertile yet well-draining.
The climate is humid subtropical with continental influence, characterized by mild winters, long warm summers, and moderate rainfall. These conditions favor slow ripening and aromatic development, yielding wines with natural acidity and moderate alcohol.
Authorized grape varieties
This trio defines Imereti's white identity: Krakhuna gives body and texture, Tsitska provides freshness and floral notes, and Tsolikouri contributes balance and soft fruit.
Wine styles & characteristics
- Color: pale straw to golden yellow
- Aroma: white fruit, citrus peel, acacia blossom, and light honey
- Taste: medium-bodied, bright acidity, dry, with gentle minerality and slight waxy texture
- Alcohol: typically 11.5-13%
- Aging: typically in stainless steel or neutral oak; artisanal producers often use small churi (Imeretian qvevri)
Sviri wines are dry, fresh, and subtly textured - defined by their precision and quiet complexity rather than overt intensity.
Taste profile
- Aromas: apple, quince, citrus blossom, and fresh herbs
- Palate: lively and mineral, with a creamy mid-palate from Krakhuna
- Finish: crisp, saline, and slightly nutty
When produced in churi, Sviri takes on amber hues, soft tannins, and savory notes - a tactile, age-worthy expression of western Georgian terroir.
Production rules
As defined by Georgia's National Wine Agency:
- Grapes must be sourced exclusively from the Sviri microzone
- Maximum yield: 10 tons/ha
- Alcohol: minimum 11%
- Wine must be dry white
- Minimum aging: 9 months before release
Food pairing
Sviri's lively acidity and mineral texture pair effortlessly with food:
- Grilled trout or white fish
- Roasted poultry, chicken in tarragon sauce, or vegetable stews
- Imeretian khachapuri, cheeses, and walnut-based dishes
- Shellfish and Mediterranean cuisine
Serve at 10-12 °C to emphasize clarity and freshness.
Summary
Sviri PDO (სვირი) embodies the soul of Imeretian white wine - harmonious, mineral, and quietly expressive. Its classic blend of Krakhuna, Tsitska, and Tsolikouri captures the balance of freshness and depth that defines western Georgian winemaking. Subtle yet distinctive, Sviri stands as a cornerstone of Georgia's white wine identity and a testament to the elegance born of restraint.