Chinuri Qvevri 2018 (Vine Ponto)

Enjoy it now, or cellar for a few years. No need to decant before serving. The Chinuri Qvevri is a crisp wine, showing a lovely straw colour with hints of orange. It is a traditional Georgian amber wine, fermented in clay pots and bursting with aromas of quince, peach, grapefruit, vanilla spice and dried herbs. It is made from Chinuri, a white grape variety native to Georgia, famed for its notably tropical character. Vine Ponto was founded in 2014, in the city of Telavi, within the esteemed region of Kakheti. Its name refers to Georgia’s ancient winemaking history, and the fact that the country was the origin point for the wine tradition. In fact, the grapes for this wine were harvested from Kartli, the region where the oldest archaeological evidence for winemaking was found. It starts off sharp and direct, with a light, crunchy mouthfeel and flavours of tropical fruit. Oaky tannins are present, imparted from ageing in Seguin Moreau oak barrels, and they add a slightly rustic edge to each mouthful. On the whole, it is a delicious, tropical experience, with soft hints of vanilla, mint, and medicinal herbs. Enjoy Chinuri Qvevri alongside white fish, soft cheese, or salads.