Fading Traditions

Three programmes investigating ancient traditions and ways of life - two of which have sparked struggles for survival; the third, a campaign for eradication.

Part Two: Georgian Wine

Georgia, home to the oldest wine-producing region in Europe, is in danger of losing its wine industry because of a punitive ban on imports imposed by Russia in 2006.

Considered to be the birthplace of wine, Georgia is now in danger of losing its 7000-year old industry because of Russia's recent ban on their wine.

This ancient industry, with its roots dating back to between 7000 and 5000 BC, has been dependent on the Russian market for up to 90% of its products.

Now it's been wiped out by politics and the traditions and way of life connected with wine-making that lie at the heart of Georgian culture are under threat.

Nicholas Walton travels to the wine-producing regions of Georgia to meet small and large wine makers and find out how they're coping.

He discovers the villagers who are still making wine the traditional way - in ceramic jars in their own cellars - and meets the larger industrialists who are hoping to woo the European market. If they can't, an entire way of life could be lost.

But with stiff competition from established wineries in France and Italy, it will be a tough fight.