Named after the colour of Georgian white wine – a result of fermenting the entire grape instead of just the juice in a large egg-shaped earthenware vessel called a “qvevri” – Amber is the place to go for a varied selection of natural wines produced by small family enterprises. Choose from over 100 varieties of the white stuff – don’t leave without trying the Saperavi from Shalauri Cellars, an artisanal producer in the east of the country, or the Chinuri, made by the Gotsa family. This, paired with delicious snacks like sulguni (brined cheese) sticks fried in a crushed walnut crust, means Amber is the type of place that “just a glass” is not going to cut it. Another bottle please…

Georgia might be known for its wine production, but that doesn’t mean a great cocktail shouldn’t be on your list too. One of the fancier bars in the city, Bar Room sits within the city’s Rooms hotel and serves up delicious handcrafted classic cocktails from moscow mules to chilli margaritas. A little slice of New York in Tbilisi, this is the perfect spot for a pre-prandial drink, but make sure you arrive early to avoid the queues (especially at the weekend).

Modelled on Spanish tapas restaurants, g.Vino is a charming boho wine bar in the heart of Tbilisi’s old town. Serving up rare, organic and natural wines from small local producers, as well as some of the best Georgian qvevri wines, its easy to see why this bar remains a local favourite – not least for its food menu which comprises a mix of European and Georgian small bites from croquettes to spinach khachapuri (cheese-filled bread).

Not exactly off the beaten track but worth a visit for its atmospheric setting, Schuchmann Wine Bar & Restaurant is part of an enterprise that includes three vineyards, a hotel, a spa that offers wine bath treatments, and a travel company that arranges excursions around the country. Housed within the brick-vaulted confines of a 17th-century caravanserai – a roadside inn for travellers and now the Tbilisi History Museum – the bar serves up Georgian qvevri wines from its own vineyards alongside a well-executed menu of Georgian dishes.

What’s in a name? In the case of Vino Underground, a pretty decent summary of its parts. This tiny, unassuming wine bar is buried underground, disguised behind a not so appealing basement door. Here the adage “it’s what’s on the inside that counts” definitely applies. Dive bar vibes are paired with an extensive wine menu featuring around 100 family-produced qvevri wines alongside a selection of better known Georgian grapes and natural wines. Like wine bar worth its salt, Vino offers delicious cheese and charcuterie boards as well as small plates to share. Despite a playlist which at times leans towards punk, the overall atmosphere is relaxed and chilled out – a great spot for those looking to sample Georgia’s finest wines without the pomp and circumstance.

Georgia’s wine scene is pretty well established. Naturally produced, Georgian wine requires proper climate control and attentive care in order to serve as intended, and this inconspicuous spot takes the process seriously. The location – full disclosure: it’s a little bit out of the way – doesn’t deter tourists but don’t worry about bumping into throngs of travel-guide clutchers, the bar manages to keep the vibe authentically Georgian. Choose from a floor-to-ceiling selection of wine; you’ll be spoilt for choice no matter your taste.