🍇 Tavkveri

Tavkveri is a black-berried grape variety (Vitis vinifera) from Georgia. VIVC (no. 12276) gives Georgia as country of origin, lists wine and table use, and records 15 synonyms, among them Takweri, Tarkveri, Tavkeri Kartlis and Tavkvery. It is registered in the European Catalogue. VIVC names no parents and no breeder.

The National Wine Agency of Georgia calls Tavkveri indigenous to Kartli, also grown in Kakheti. The name means "hammerhead", after the flat top of the berry. It grows well in deep clay and sandy soils. Its flowers are functionally female, so it must be planted near other varieties such as Chinuri or Goruli Mtsvane for pollination.

According to the Agency, the vine buds from the end of March to mid April and the grapes mature from the end of August to mid September. The vine is vigorous and high yielding. Bunches are big and compact with broad shoulders; the berries are round, somewhat large and dark blue. It is highly susceptible to downy mildew, the European grapevine moth and spider mites, and grey mould is a serious threat in rainy autumns.

The Agency states that Tavkveri is made in modern and qvevri styles, and can give dry red, rosé, sparkling, fortified or dessert wine. It is also eaten as a table grape. The Agency gives 29 hectares planted as of 2004.