What is the significance of qvevri in Georgian winemaking?

Qvevris, the big ceramic vessels buried in the ground, are an integral part of Georgian winemaking and have not merely a cultural and historical significance, but they actually embody much of the cultural image of winemaking Georgia. This vessel helps regulating the temperature as the clay material not only provides stable atmosphere to the wine but also allows it to undergo natural fermentation. Besides, the holed qvevri secures the oxygen exchange in a wine-making process that adds to the drink's complexity and encourages the formation of highly-appreciated flavor notes. For centuries, this native method of winemaking laid down by ancestry has been preserved and the personality of the Georgian wine has been shaped by it.