Anecdote from the region Kakheti
W jednej z kakhetyńskich wsi mieszkali Micho i Maro, wiekowa para mająca pod 70 lat. Pewnego słonecznego dnia Micho pojechał do Tbilisi sprzedać zebrany winogron ze swojego pola. Będąc w stolicy postanowił zakupić dla swojej ulubienicy wideoodtwarzacz wraz z kilkoma filmami dla dorosłych. Po powrocie do domu przekazał żonie podarunek, a sam udał się na pole doglądać plantacji. Kobieta oczywiście ucieszyła się z prezentu i zaczęła oglądać przywiezione filmy. Wieczorem Micho wraca zmęczony do domu, a Maro na niego z krzykiem i go w łeb patelnią: ach ty baranie zatwardziały! Na filmach widać, jak świat poszedł do przodu i różne pozy w lóżku stosować można podczas uciech porannych i wieczornych. A ty ze mną w tej jednej pozie już od przeszło 40 lat.
Kakheti is the richest wine-growing and wine-making region in Georgia. It is one of the most beautiful and diverse lands in Georgia. Its stunning landscapes include the snow-covered mountains of main range of the Caucasus, with peaks reaching up to 3300m and 4500 and curving passes; side by side with fertile lowland, valleys and fields and semi-desert areas.
The history of Kakheti wine growing takes a start from VI millennium BC. Grape leftovers, discovered by the archeologists, date back to the mentioned period and they are the oldest around the globe. Scientists believe that the word Ghvino (wine) has Georgian origin. 500 out of world-know 2000 grape species are Georgian. There were primitive wineries in Georgia's churches and monasteries, where one can see some wine-cellars and wine presses even today. Nekresi wine-cellar of IV century also remains of the winery at Ikalto Monastery Complex are highly noteworthy.
The most popular winery are Tsinandali (made from the Rkatsiteli grapes and Kakhuri Mtsvane), Mukuzani (made from the Saperavi grapes), Akhasheni (made from the Saperavi grapes) and Kindzmarauli (made from the Saperavi grapes). Most of them are located in the Alazani Valley).
Telavi is the largest town in Kakheti with about 30.000 inhabitants. The town is famous for its picturesque sights, a museum of local history, drama theatre and art gallery. The second biggest town is Sighnaghi on the ruins of a previously existing fortress in the second half of the 18th century.
The main attractions in the region are:
- winery (Kindzmarauli, Mukuzani, Tsinandali),
- wine testing,
- churches and monasteries (Alaverdi, Ikalto, Gremi, Nekresi, David Gareji...),
- national parks (Tusheti National Park, Lagotekhi Nature Reserve...),
- mountains,
- birdwatching (raptors, griffons...).
