This Week's Tasting
A Cauc(as)us on Georgian Wines
February 13, 2019
We are happy to welcome Dr. Mamuka Tsereteli, who is the guiding force behind the Georgia Wine House importers when he is not teaching International relations at American University..
He will have with him examples of various wines of the modern renaissance of wine in that country that is the oldest repository of archeologic .
He will answer all queries on qvevri, the large clay jars buried under the ground, that predated Greek amphoras by a millennium or so, orange wines made with skin contact, Georgian regions, and anything else to illuminate your understanding of this old/new vibrant region
The Grapes
White
Rkatsiteli - floral & stone fruit apple skin, quince, also grown in New York and Massachusetts
Mtsvane - crisp acid citrus
Kisi - floral scent, dried pears & apples
Red
Saperavi - age worthy wines, tart when young, to Georgia what Syrah is to the Northern Rhone
Otskhanuri Sapere - deep colored structured reds
The Wines
Amber
Orgo is an artisanal winery located in Eastern Georgia that specializes in the 8,000 year old Georgian Qvevri wine making tradition and sources all their grapes from at least 50 year old vines. Their Dila-O White is al ightly amber wine, half each Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane with one month of skin contact. TheWashington Post named it one of 2018’s best bargain wines.
The Dila O Red is all Saperavi fermented in qvevri, unfiltered and low-sulfite for. A lovely dark color, aromas of violets and plum followed by dark brambly fruits, a touch of black pepper and earthiness on the palette. A young fresh Georgian red with finesse.
Kisi, a rare varietal once almost extinct by the Soviets is on the rise again. The Vita Vinea Kisi sparked a renaissance of the Kisi varietal. Gogi Dakishvili makes a limited amount of Kisi in the traditional qvevri style with 6 months of skin contact. Kisi tends to be more aromatic than Rkatisteli but with sound structure, aggressive tannin and balanced acidity. It can age very well.
Teliani Valley Winery is currently one of the top producers of quality Georgian wine. A large producer by Georgian standards , their modern wine making facilities are located in east Georgia in the Kakheti Appellation. Teliani Valley Mukuzani is all Saperavi grapes sourced from the Mukuzani district in the Kakheti appellation. It sees nine months of oak barrel aging but mostly second use.
A vineyard selection of Otskhanuri Sapere made by the young woman winemaker Gvantsa Abuladze. it is higher acid, lower sugar grapes due to the humidity in Grown in Imereti where it is grown. Otskhanuri Sapere is especially known for its ridiculously dark color hence the origin of its name means "dye". This is estate grown, hand picked and hand sorted. After destemming the wine is pressed and put into qvevri with skins and fermentation starts spontaneously. After fermentation the skins are removed and wine is aged in qvevri.
Shalauri Wine Cellars is a new small artisanal wine producer that is passionate about traditional natural qvevri produced wines. In only their second vintage they made thisvibrant and powerful Saperavi with edginess and depth that is the character of the grape.
Wine Notes
Amber
2017 Orgo Dila-O Amber Wine: Light orange. Principally nut fruits accented by peach with notes of white pepper and framed by old vine texture 17.99; Mixed Case, 16.19; Case, 15.29
2015 Vita Vinea -Kisi Amber Wine high herbal notes some tannins, 27.99; Mixed Case, 25.19; Case, 23.79
Red
2017 Orgo Dila-O Saperavi: Dark red. Violet, plum and brambly fruit. Spice and earth and a smooth finish 17.99; Mixed Case, 16.19; Case, 15.29
2016 Teliani Valley Mukuzani Saperavi: Modern style medium bodied red with a complex aroma. Fresh cherry, spicy oak, black pepper and balsa. Firm tannins in the finish. 17.99; Mixed Case, 16.19; Case, 15.29
2017 Gvantsa’s Otskhanuri Sapere: Dark red. Pomegranate, fresh sour cherry and crispness from the firm acidity. Medium to full body and quite dry. Perfect for food 35; Mixed Case, 31.5; Case, 29.75
2014 Shaluri Cellars Saperavi: Vibrant and powerful with layered depth. Notes of blackberry, tobacco and violet and a touch of anise. Old vine texture and notes of leather in the long finish. 35; Mixed Case, 31.5; Case, 29.75
Instore only 2-13-19 Georgian Pack: Special, one each of the above wines - $137
or
mix any 6- 111 wines for 10% off
any 12 or more for 15% off
Order by phone at 617.367.8605, or reserve here: order@federalwine.com
Please pass this on to any friends who are wine enthusiasts!
- Len Rothenberg
