🍷 Georgian supra

The Georgian supra is a large feast with long toasts and wine. The word "supra" means the table itself, the tablecloth and the feast. It is an important part of Georgian life: at a supra people celebrate holidays, welcome guests and see them off on a journey.

The supra is led by the tamada, the master of the feast. He keeps order and proposes the toasts. Toasts come in a set sequence: first to peace, to God, to the homeland, then to parents, children and friends. Each toast is a small speech in itself, and drinking follows it.

Wine is drunk from different vessels: from glasses, from special cups such as the azarpesha, and from a horn used for solemn toasts. The table is laden with food. Bread, cheeses such as sulguni, vegetables and meat go with the wine.

A supra often ends the grape harvest, the rtveli festival. It is an example of how wine joins people and is more than just a drink. At a supra it is wise to drink in moderation, since conversation is the main point.