READ THE DIAGRAM
Qvevri and the handling of solids
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Comparison of traditional methods presented by the National Wine Agency. The same blend or period of contact is not applied to all products. To the supporting reference ↓
FIELD NOTE 01
Containers and culture
A qvevri is an earthenware vessel used for fermenting, aging, and storing wine. The traditional method involves burying it underground, and the knowledge of its making and winemaking has been passed down within families and communities. This was inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2013. Do not re-interpret this registration as merely a commercial specification for containers or as a wine quality grade.
FIELD NOTE 02
Difference between the entire volume and just a part
According to the National Wine Agency’s comparison, the Kakheti style adds all solids like skins, seeds, and stems, while the Imereti style adds up to one-third to the juice. This contrasts traditional methods and is not a fixed blend for all products. Extraction varies not just by the amount of solids, but also contact time, temperature, stirring, and ripeness of raw material.
FIELD NOTE 03
Amber and sweetness are separate aspects.
When fermenting white grapes with skins, the color and tannins differ from standard juice fermentation. However, qvevri are also used for reds, so you cannot determine wine color from vessel type alone. Sweetness also relates to residual sugar after fermentation. Keeping separate sections in your notes for “vessel,” “skins,” and “residual sugar” helps avoid the mistaken assumption that wines are sweet just because they’re made in clay containers.
Container information alone doesn't determine color or sweetness. Check grape variety, skin contact, and residual sugar after fermentation.
PAUSE & REFLECT
Check your understanding.
If it says qvevri, does that mean it is amber and sweet?
Read the explanation ＋
Container information alone doesn't determine color or sweetness. Check grape variety, skin contact, and residual sugar after fermentation.
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View saved notes →Courses related to this question
Read about skin contact and vessels separately →
Saperavi: Distinguishing color of the pulp, sweetness, and qvevri →
Rkatsiteli: The treatment of grape skins distinguishes white and amber styles →
Schuchmann Wines: White in Stainless Steel and Red in Qvevri →
Sources and reference materials
These are the reference materials for the main text. For details of production regulations, consult the current documents. For individual wine specifications, refer to materials for the relevant vintage.
- National Wine Agency: Qvevri ↗
- UNESCO: Decision to register in 2013 ↗
- National Wine Agency: Red grape varieties ↗