Lagvinari Tsitska 2020

Enjoy it now, or cellar for a few years. No need to decant before serving. Lagvinari’s Tsitska is an intriguing light amber in the glass, with a fragrant nose of starfruit, quince, dried herbs and chamomile tea. It is a traditional Georgian wine, composed of 100% white Tsitska grapes, fermented underground in clay casks, known as qvevri. The Tsitska grapes were plucked from the left side of the Kvirila River, in the beautiful region of Imereti. Lagvinari was founded by Doctor Eko Glonti, a medical doctor who has adopted an organic approach in his winemaking. He works in several of Georgia’s best-renowned regions, but the winery itself can be found in the small village of Bakurtsikhe, in rural Kakheti. The winery is known for providing its top-quality wines to numerous Michelin-star restaurants, and has received multiple medals at the International Wine Awards. In the mouth, it is full-bodied and packed with tannins. As with the nose, the palate is novel and low in fruit, showing flavours of Earl Grey tea, herbal hints of bay leaf and vegetal hints of bell pepper, supported by notes of quince, yellow plum, and kiwi fruit. High levels of acidity bring a fresh, invigorating edge to the wine. It is an ideal choice for those seeking something new, and a reliable one for fans of amber wine. Allow this Tsitska to aerate for a few minutes, and pair it with goat’s cheese, chicken, or salmon sushi.

Price: £27.18 from 8wines UK