Dinner at the Palazzo Capua on the 24th March 2026

Our March gathering of 27 members was held in the elegant setting of Palazzo Capua, transporting us on a journey to the eastern wine regions of Georgia and Armenia. These are wines that remain largely undiscovered by many, and the sight of intrigued, sometimes perplexed faces as members encountered new flavours and textures added a wonderful sense of curiosity and exploration to the evening.

As the tasting unfolded, each wine revealed a different expression of ancient winemaking traditions—from the bold, structured reds of Georgia to the refined, high-altitude elegance of Armenia. Conversations flowed as freely as the wine, with members comparing impressions, debating favourites, and appreciating the uniqueness of indigenous grape varieties rarely experienced in more familiar wine regions.

The evening was not only a tasting, but a shared discovery—an opportunity to step outside conventional expectations and explore wines shaped by history, terroir, and tradition.

Georgian wine is widely regarded as the oldest continuous wine culture in the world, with over 8,000 years of history. Its defining feature is the use of qvevri—large clay vessels buried underground—where wines ferment and age naturally, often with minimal intervention. This traditional method produces distinctive styles, particularly amber/orange wines made from white grapes with skin contact, alongside powerful reds such as Saperavi. Georgian wines are typically bold, textural, and deeply connected to food, offering earthy complexity and structure that reflect both ancient practices and indigenous grape varieties.

Armenian wine, with a heritage dating back more than 6,000 years, represents a revival of ancient winemaking combined with modern precision. Grown at high altitudes on volcanic soils, Armenian wines are known for their freshness, balance, and mineral character. Indigenous grapes such as Areni Noir and Sireni produce wines that are often more refined and elegant in style compared to their Georgian counterparts, with bright acidity and layered complexity. Today, Armenia is gaining recognition for crafting terroir-driven wines that bridge history and contemporary winemaking excellence.

Of particular note was the dinner served which was paired beautifully with the wines and rated highly by the members present.

Another excellent evening in wonderful company.

Daniel