Emphasizing the inherent craft behind qvevri winemaking, Ceramics Monthly highlighted these unique earthenware vessels of Georgia. They start by pointing out that the qvevri is traditionally involved in every part of winemaking- the fermenting, aging, and storing- and quote a common Georgian expression, “here it is born, grows up, matures, and resides.” 

The form of the ceramic qvevri is its function: the egg shape lends to the technical process with the grape seeds separating from the skins to fall to the bottom. The qvevri also gives Georgian wine its unique taste allowing for a constant temperature and gradual fermentation when buried underground, along with the prolonged skin contact that induces the earthy body of traditional Georgian wines.   

The UNESCO signification in 2013 helped to further highlight the qvevri, and knowledge of this vital winemaking tool has increased globally as more wine drinkers around the world experience Georgian wines. As a new generation of Georgians appear, however, preserving the art of qvevri making becomes the next big challenge. As the Georgian wine category increases in the U.S. market, the opportunity for professional and economic development of Georgians doesn’t just lie with professionals in winemaking, but also the future craftsmen and artists intertwined in the entire process. 

Read the entire article from Ceramics Monthly showcasing the qvevri here: