Shumi Iberiuli Kisi Qvevri 2022

Enjoy it now, or cellar for a few years. No need to decant before serving. This dry amber wine is alive with notes of white-fleshed fruits: quince, apple and pear mingle with subtle aromas of tobacco, walnut, marzipan and forest floor. It is a product of the esteemed Shumi Winery. The Kisi grapes were picked from estate vineyards in the region of Kakheti, before being fermented in clay pots, an ancient Georgian process known as qvevri. Shumi Winery was founded in 2001, and from its headquarters in the beautiful village of Tsinandali, it has grown to encompass 300 hectares of vineyards, spread all across the country. Shumi is an old word, referring to an authentic, undiluted wine of the utmost quality - something that the winery seeks to recreate within its cellar Iberiuli range. “The Three Musketeers” author Alexander Dumas once described Tsinandali as a “paradise”, and with a bottle of Shumi Winery’s Kisi, you won’t be too far away. This qvevri wine has a dry, rustic palate. The scents of the nose tumble through, as hints of quince jam, mushrooms, marzipan and toasted nuts mingle with a sophisticated bass note of bitterness. It is deeply autumnal, evoking orange leaves and cosy nights in front of a fire. A perfect wine for those who enjoy crisp whites, but are seeking something slightly different. Consider pairing it with nuts, cheese, or Middle Eastern cuisine.

Price: £18.71 from 8wines UK