In Georgia, there is a legend that St. Nick, who baptized Georgia in 337, carried this out with a cross made of vines. That is why, since those ancient times, the vine of grapes is a symbol of faith of the Christians of Georgia. The historical roots of Georgian wine originate in the distant past, and Georgia is a country in the ranks of the ancestors of the vine and wine.
Georgian winemaking traditions revived by Badagoni
Badagoni LTD - this abbreviation is a joint Italian-Georgian wine production, created in 2002. The company began to produce wine in 2006. For a short period of time, the wine "Badagoni" has received worldwide recognition. Currently, almost half of the company's products are imports destined for 18 countries. The plant became famous for continuing the ancient Georgian traditions, delighting wine lovers with famous and popular varieties: wine "Badagoni. Alazani Valley", "Kindzmarauli", "Saperavi", "Kisi", "Tsinandali", "Alaverdi Tradition", which are made according to very ancient Georgian technology in a bulk clay jug (qvevri).
Alazani Valley - the heart of Georgian winemaking
From the beginning of the XXI century, Georgia began to revive the historical traditions of wine production. Kakheti, the eastern region of Georgia, has been and remains the heart of the country's winemaking. These places are known for fertile soils, mild climate, rich forests, plenty of water and wonderful nature.
The central part of Kakheti is the Alazani Valley. She keeps ancient legends and secrets, every Georgian reveres her as a holy place. All these natural climatic features have served as the basis for the construction of the Badagoni plant. This large joint Italian-Georgian production is located in the village of Zemo Khodasheni in the Akhmeta region of Georgia.
Wine production
The Badagoni plant is equipped with modern equipment. It meets high international standards. Able to produce annually up to 3 million bottles of wine. The combination of beautiful grapes, the latest equipment, highly qualified specialists involved in production, allowed the wine of this brand to quickly gain its recognition in Europe. In 2008, the plant's products were awarded the European mark of conformity. Badagoni is currently the only wine company in Georgia that has an ISO certificate of quality.
From the very beginning, the production of Badagoni wine has been supervised by the Enozis Meravilla laboratory. It is an internationally recognized wine laboratory. It is led by a renowned oenologist, doctor of the Institute of Winemaking from Turin, Donato Lanati. He is one of the ten recognized winemaking consultants in the world.
Growing grapes for winemaking
The wine making process begins with the harvest. In Kakheti it is a holiday for locals. Grapes are harvested exclusively by hand, stacking it in a small container. Then the berries are carefully separated from the brushes and spin. Grape crushing is carried out to such a state that the seed remains intact, but the juice was given in full.
Grapes are grown and harvested in the vineyards owned by the Badagoni company. They are scattered throughout all areas of Kakheti and the Alazani Valley. At the entire stage of grape growth, it is controlled by the laboratory of the enterprise, as well as the Enosis Meraviglia research center.
High-quality wine cannot be made if the most important conditions are absent, which include fertile soil and a favorable climate. To this end, Badagoni acquired plots in Kakheti that meet all the necessary conditions for growing quality grapes for wine.
Grapes
Only certain grape varieties grow on each vineyard. The main vineyards for the Badagoni wine are located in the following microzones, named for nearby towns and regions:
- Akhasheni, grapes - variety "saperavi";
- Mukuzani, grapes - variety "saperavi";
- Kindzmarauli, grapes - variety "saperavi";
- Acura, Tsinandali microzone, grapes - a variety of "Rkatsiteli";
- Alaverdi, grapes: in front of the Monastery of Alaverdi - Saperavi variety, in the village of Alaverdi - Saperavi variety, in the village of Khorheli - Saperavi variety, in the village of Magraani - Saperavi and Kisi varieties, in the village of Magraanis Tavi - "Saperavi", in the village of Alvani - "Saperavi", in the village of Ozhio - "Saperavi".
- Giorgitsminda, grapes - variety "saperavi";
- Tohliaiauri, Manavi microzone, grapes of the Manavi and Kahuri Mtsvane varieties.
Wineries "Badagoni"
Badagoni has two wineries built on the territory of Kakheti. The first is in the Akhmeta region, in the village of Zemo Khodasheniya, and the second is in the Sagarejo region, in the village of Manavi.
The winery in Akhmet is equipped with the most advanced technological equipment, which is not in Eastern Europe. Filling lines, microfiltration, created exclusively for Badagoni in 2014. Analogs in the world do not exist. It is important to understand that these lines are responsible for the safety of processes that prevent any ingress of oxygen into the wine or its contact with the metal. This is very important in order to preserve the organoleptic characteristics of the Badagoni wine. All processes on the lines are fully automated, including the microfiltration of wine and water used in washing bottles. Special control is aimed at eliminating the ingress of bacteria and yeast, as well as microbes, into the final product.
The second winery located in Manavi is also equipped with Italian equipment. Here, about 250 tons of grapes are processed. It is worth noting that in all wineries, tanks and tanks are made of high quality stainless steel. This, as well as other modern equipment, allows you to get calm and sparkling wines of very high quality.
Wine "Badagoni" is aged in oak barrels made in France, in special rooms, which are lined with Georgian brick with an age of 300 years.
The laboratory of the wineries in Badagoni carries out a lot of work to accompany the production of wine at all stages. It is equipped with unique equipment that allows you to conduct serious express tests in a short time, which is very important for winemaking.
Reviews
Most wine connoisseurs and just amateurs note in the reviews of the Badagoni wine that it is a fairly reliable and stable producer of Georgian wines. They are available on the shelves. It is noted that the data indicated on the labels and other bottle attributes are quite informative. The positive also includes the fact that there is information about the year of harvest, as well as the place where the grapes are harvested. It is nice to see on each bottle data on the grape variety, the date of bottling. Consumers also note quite affordable prices for Georgian Badagoni wine.
However, there are also negative reviews. So, some consumers say that sometimes there is no aroma in the wine. No aftertaste. The taste of wine is not saturated enough.
Wine line
Wines "Badagoni" found their place on the shelves of shops and supermarkets in Russia. The most popular include:
- wine "Alazani Valley of Badagoni", semisweet red, Kakheti;
- wine "Pirosmani Badagoni", semi-dry white, Kakheti;
- wine "Saperavi Badagoni", dry red 2016, Kakheti;
- Khvanchkara Badagoni wine, semisweet red 2017, Racha;
- wine "Alazani Valley", semisweet red 2013, Kakheti;
- Pirosmani Badagoni wine , semi-sweet white 2011, Kakheti;
- Wine "Tsinandali Badagoni", dry white 2014, Kakheti;
- Kindzmarauli Badagoni wine , semisweet red 2017, Kakheti.
Badagoni also produces a line of sparkling wines and several varieties of chacha.