Tsolikouri

Tsolikouri
Grape (Vitis)
Colour of berry skin	White
Notable regions	Imereti district, Georgia
Notable wines	Tsolikauri, Kolkheti, Lelo, Tvishi[1]

Tsolikouri (Georgian: ცოლიკოური) is a light yellow-skinned white grape variety grown mainly in western Imereti district of Georgia.^[2] It cultivated in Kolkhida Lowland at an altitude of 160 m (520 ft) above sea level.^[3]

Out of 400 different types of grapes in the country, Tsolikouri is among the most widespread varieties.^[4] Nearly 90% of vineyards in western Georgia grow Tsolikauri. This sort usually matures by mid October.^[5] Grown in Orzhonikidze vineyards during Soviet rule of Georgia, Tsolikouri was considered one of high-quality grapes along with Chkhaveri and Izabella varieties.^[6] It has been used for production of premium dry, semi-sweet and semi-dry wines.^[2] Tsolikauri, Kolkheti, Lelo, Tvishi wines are made from Tsolikouri grapes.^[1][7] According to former Soviet statesman Vyacheslav Molotov, Tsolikouri was one of favorite wines of Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin.^[8]

See also

• Georgian wine

References

1. "Большая Винная Энциклопедия. Грузия" [Great Wines Encyclopedia. Georgia]. Retrieved 2011-02-15.
2. "Georgian Wine Grapes. Tsolikauri". Retrieved 2011-02-15.
3. "Белые сухие вина. «Цоликаури»" [White dry wines. "Tsolikauri"]. Retrieved 2011-02-15.
4. Caucasian review. Institut zur Erforschung der UdSSR. 1958. p. 70. Retrieved 2011-02-15.
5. "Виноград сорта "Цоликаури" занимает 90% плантаций Западной Грузии" [Tsolikauri grape variety makes up 90% of vineyards in western Georgia]. Retrieved 2011-02-15.
6. Bantam Travel Books (1990). Bantam's Soviet Union, 1991. Bantam. p. 365. ISBN 0-553-34910-4. Retrieved 2011-02-15.
7. Burford, Tim (1990). Georgia. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 73. ISBN 1-84162-261-3. Retrieved 2011-02-15.
8. "Мой Сталин. Светлана Птицина" [My Stalin. Svetlana Ptitsina]. Retrieved 2011-02-15.