Shumi Iberiuli Khvanchkara 2023

Drink it now or cellar for up to 10 years. No need to decant but best to open it half an hour before service. Located in the village of Tsinandali in the southern Caucasus Mountains, and more precisely in the Alazani River Valley, Shumi Winery was founded in 2001. Today the estate covers about 300 hectares of vineyards, spread across various microzones of Georgia, characterized by different terroirs and traditions where indigenous grape varieties are grown. The company also has a museum with ancient winemaking artifacts that tells the story of viticulture in this beautiful country, considered the cradle of wine production. Khvanchkara is a semi-sweet red wine produced naturally with late harvest and incomplete fermentation of sugar. The wine is a blend of two indigenous grapes, Alexandrouli and Mujuretuli (to a lesser extent), grown in the company vineyards located in the Racha subregion. The wine reveals a clear and bright ruby ​​color and an intense and fresh aromatic profile with fruity notes of red apple and raspberry, cherry, and small red fruits. On the palate, it is pleasantly sweet with a perfectly balanced acidity and velvety tannins. It is smooth and round and maintains good freshness and a long and delicately fruity finish. Its sweet streak makes it ideal with blue cheeses, smoked cured meats, and red fruit pies.

Price: £30.18 from 8wines UK