What do people drink in Georgia, and how do Georgians drink wine?
Wine, chacha, lemonades, mineral water and feast etiquette.
Short answer
Wine is Georgia's main drink, enjoyed at the table with toasts led by the tamada, from glasses or, on special occasions, a horn. Chacha, a grape spirit, is the popular strong drink, while soft drinks include tarragon and other flavoured lemonades, Borjomi, Nabeghlavi and Sairme mineral waters, and tea. Beer is also common, especially in summer.
Why
- At a feast, people drink after toasts rather than at will, and draining the glass is not always expected.
- The famous Georgian lemonades date back to the 19th century and Mitrofan Lagidze.
- Everyone decides how much to drink, and politely declining at the table is fine.
Details
Chacha can be very strong, homemade versions sometimes above 60% alcohol, so drink it slowly. Alcohol is sold in Georgia to people over 18.
People also ask
- What do Georgians drink?
Sources
- National Wine Agency of GeorgiaChecked at:
This answer is for reference only. Alcohol is sold to over-18s; drink in moderation.
What Georgians drink besides wineRelated questions
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Where can you buy good wine in Tbilisi, and how much does it cost?
In Tbilisi, good wine is sold in specialist wine shops and wine bars in the Old Town and Sololaki, in winery brand stores and in large supermarkets.
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Where can you buy good wine in Batumi, and how much does it cost?
In Batumi, good wine is sold in specialist wine shops, winery brand stores and large supermarkets, where a decent bottle costs roughly 15 to 40 GEL.
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How much wine and alcohol can you take from Georgia to Russia?
You can take wine out of Georgia for personal use, but how much you can bring into Russia is set by Russian rules: an adult can bring up to 3 litres of alcohol duty-free.
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Which Georgian brandy should you bring home?
The most popular brandy to bring from Georgia comes from well-known Georgian producers, the oldest tracing its history to David Sarajishvili's distillery founded in the 19th century.


