The new year has begun, and one of my plans for this year is to expand my blog to include English. So I’m starting right now with my first post of the year.
I bought this interesting wine at a natural wine exhibition in Vienna. There were many exhibitors from Georgia, so it was difficult to choose, but this wine immediately caught my attention with its taste. The wine is made from white grapes using qvevri technology.
Rkatsiteli is one of the oldest cultivated white grape varieties in the world and is an integral part of Georgia’s wine identity. Its origins date back thousands of years, primarily to the Kakheti region, which is considered the cradle of viticulture. The name of the variety can be loosely translated as “red stem,” which refers to the color of the woody part of the bunch when fully ripe. The grape is known for its high acidity, firm structure, and ability to reflect the terroir very accurately. In traditional qvevri processing, Rkatsiteli acquires depth, a delicate tannin structure, and a character close to today’s orange wines.
A qvevri is a traditional Georgian clay vessel buried in the ground and used for both fermentation and aging wine. The wine ferments together with the skins, often with the stems, without active cooling. The stable temperature of the earth allows for slow and natural fermentation. This system is listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and forms the basis of the style of traditional Georgian wines.
The Tsarapi Winery is located in the eastern part of Georgia, in the Kakheti region, which is considered the homeland of wine. The winery is a family business that continues the legacy of ancient traditions. The family continues the art of grape growing and wine making inherited from their ancestors. Their qvevri (18 qvevri, with a capacity of 1000-2500 liters) have kept the secrets of Georgian wine for more than a century, and for more than 40 years, their winemaker has been creating a new history of values. In the Tsarapi area, the family owns three vineyards with a total area of 1.5 hectares. The vast majority of the vineyards are planted with the Rkatsiteli variety, from which they produce dry white and white semi-dry qvevri wines. They also grow the Saperavi and Khikhvi grapes, from which they produce red dry wines Saperavi (qvevri wine), red sweet wines Saperavi (classical method) and white sweet dessert wines Khikhvi (classical method). In 2015, they decided to establish their own brand, “Tegani,” to share their identity and 8,000-year-old tradition full of kindness as much as possible…
They produce their wines both traditionally in qvevri and using the classic method, selecting only the highest quality grapes from the Tsarapi area, located in the village of Kardenakhi in the Kakheti region, where they own three vineyards. Thanks to its uniqueness, the Tsarapi region is generally considered one of the fundamental areas of Georgian wine culture and has been granted protected designation of origin status. The “Tegani” wine brand combines the art of winemaking, exceptional terroir, century-old qvevri, varietal dedication, the sensory identity of the wines produced, and a tradition full of love for winemaking.
Wine description:
The wine matured for 8 months in qvevri in contact with the skins, which is why it has a rich amber color with coppery reflections, so typical of the Rkatsiteli variety, which was fermented in qvevri.
The aroma features dried apples, quince, orange peel, herbs, and a subtle hint of tea. Secondary notes are reminiscent of beeswax and nuts.
The taste is dry, structured, with pronounced acidity and delicate tannins from the skins. The finish is long and slightly tea-like.
The alcohol content is around 15% vol.
The ideal serving temperature is 14-18°C. At higher temperatures, the structure and complexity of the wine are better highlighted.
In addition to pairing well with Georgian cuisine, especially lamb, legumes, and nut sauces, this wine is also suitable for roasted pork and poultry, lobster, and oysters. It also pairs well with mature cheeses.
The wine falls into the category of traditional qvevri wines, which are regularly awarded at specialized competitions focused on authentic and natural wines.
Rkatsiteli 2019 from the Tsarapi winery is an example of the traditional Georgian approach to white wine. This is not a wine for quick consumption, but a wine for slow tasting. It will appeal to consumers who are looking for origin, history, and structure, not superficial aromatics, although it must be admitted that this wine has excellent aromatics. This wine has its permanent place among serious qvevri wines from Georgia.
#qvevriwine, #qvevrivino #vinozgruzinska, #rkatsiteli, #recenziavina, #hodnotenievina
