Wine

CONTINUES FROM PAGE E6 ancient vessels in Georgia that contained wine grape residue from 6,000 BC. Nowadays, this relatively small country (roughly the same size as West Virginia) has nearly 136,000 acres of wine vineyards throughout Georgia.

As of 2020, there are 25 Protected Designation of Origin (PDOs), meaning specific geographic areas in the country recognized for their distinct wine. Georgia’s largest wine region is Kakheti, which is in the eastern part of the country and produces the vast majority of Georgia’s wines. Other important winegrowing regions in Georgia include Kartli (known for its sparkling wines), Imereti, Racha and Meskheti, one of the highest wine-growing regions in the world.

There are more than 500 grape varieties indigenous to Georgia, including a wide range of red and white wine grapes. But in general, Georgia produces far more white wine than red. Specifically, roughly 75% of Georgian wine is white wine and 25% is red wine.

The most popular white wine grape varieties in Georgia include:

• Rkatsiteli, the most popular white wine grape in Georgia and which accounts for 43% of all white wine produced in the country, Kakhuri Mtsvane, and Kisi.

• The most popular red wine grape varieties in Georgia include Saperavi, Georgia’s leading red wine grape variety, which

Beer

CONTINUES FROM PAGE E6 version of the new version with cocoa and coconut.

I, of course, tried the “plain” version of the new one on tap, but then remembered there was a accounts for 10% of all red wine from Georgia, Tavkveri, and Mujuretuli.

Here are my tasting notes on three Georgian wines under $25:

• 2019 Kisi Qvevri Glekhuri ($23 Suggested Retail Price)

Tasting notes: This golden-colored white wine, made with 100% Kisi grapes from the Kakheti region, has a light, fragrant aroma and finish that tastes like a cross between a sauvignon cask ale version and spent the rest of the afternoon quaffing that. (Cask beer is far too rare, and I will not forgo an opportunity to drink it when it’s available.) I would have felt remiss not to try the Mexican chocolate version, so I grabbed a four-pack to go. blanc and a slightly sweet riesling, with hints of tart pear and lemon. Hints of orange peel and peach also peek through at times in this lively, refreshing wine.

• 2019 Terra Georgia Winery Rkatsiteli ($18 SRP)

Tasting notes: This rose-like dry white wine (described by the winery as a “dry amber wine”) is a blend of rkatsiteli, mtsvane and kisi grapes. From Akhmeta in the Kakheti

I’m glad I did. Although I’m not a huge fan of adding chocolate to stouts (or adding random flavors to most beers), this one was delicious. The cocoa notes are right up front, but they blend so well with the other dark malts that the beer isn’t cloyingly region, It has a slight pink color and a crisp, sea saltlike finish with hints of apricots, fresh picked apples and sparkling zesty-like finish. A wonderful wine perfect for a warm summer afternoon or before a relaxing winter meal.

• 2018 Zenishi Saperavi ($17 SRP)

Tasting notes: Absolutely delightful smooth, dry red wine from Kakheti with a long velvet-like finish, this light, bright wine made entirely with saperavi grapes sweet. Don’t get me wrong, the sweetness is there, but not it’s not treacly. There are chilis in the mix, but they’re not very noticeable. A nice pinch of cinnamon adds a nice touch. The beer finishes somewhat dry, which only makes you want more

At 10% ABV, this is has hints of raspberry flavors mixed with a dash of blackberry and cherry. No wonder Georgia’s famous for making great wines for thousands of years. And red wines made with saperavi grapes in particular deserve a much wider worldwide audience. definitely one (or two, or maybe three if you’re not driving) you can share with your romantic partner. But that booze lever is not apparent in the flavor, so be careful. This is definitely a brew that can sneak up on you. Just like love sometimes does.

Cheers!

Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican’s Weekend section every Thursday.