Qvevri white wine from the country Georgia

Are American wine enthusiasts ready for qvevri made wines from the country Georgia? Perhaps on Valentine Day they may embrace the qvevri white wines. Qvevri winemaking is an ancient winemaking process where grapes are fermented and aged in earthen vessels called qvevris. These qvevris are buried underground and can last for centuries if taken care of. Most qvevri made wines are a true expression of the grape, without the influence of wood and many of the modern winemaking supplies that winemakers add to their wines. Many qvevri wines are made with natural yeasts.

It should be pointed out that even the uses of qvevris in winemaking is very regional in Georgia. For example in Eastern Georgia some winemakers will ferment a white wine on the skins and then continue to age the wine on the skins for several months. Some winemakers will also add stems to the qvevri. Across Georgia this white wine protocol varies. In Western Georgia there may be little or no skins added to the grapes during fermentation and aging. For those winemakers that do use skins, white wines can be a shock your senses. This is not necessarily a bad thing, just a unique wine experience.

Imagine a white wine that is an amber color. It is simply beautiful to look at. Imagine it has a floral and fruit aroma and various dried fruits and flowers on the taste. Then come the tannins. Some qvevri-made white wines can have very bold tannins. So bold that I refer to them as kissing tannins. They pucker your lips as though you are ready to kiss someone. Perhaps qvevri white wines are a perfect pairing at the Boston Wine Expo that takes place on Valentine’s Day. The Georgian tables should be a destination for couples this weekend. What can you pair with a qvevri white wine with kissing tannins, the person you love. Winemaker Father Gerasim of Alveradi Monastery in Eastern Georgia noted, “Qvevri wines open your heart.” The Valentine’s Day weekend is a perfect opportunity for wine enthusiasts to taste qvevri wines.

Marani wines from the country Georgia will have a tasting from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at  the Wine Gallery in Brookline on February 13th. Marani and other Georgian producers will have ten tables at the Boston Wine Expo on February 14th and 15th. Wine enthusiasts will have opportunities to taste qvevri wines at both locations. Consumers may taste wines at the Boston Wine Expo between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm both days.

Cheers,
Terry