2011 Telavi Marani Tsinandali

NOTE WE ALSO HAVE TELAVI MARANI MTSVANE (DRY) AT $13 AND 2009 TVISHI (SWEET) AT $15. PLEASE CALL OR E-MAIL TO ORDER THOSE WINES.

Tsinandali, Kakheti, Republic of Georgia

Telavi Wine Cellar Marani Tsinandali is an estate-bottled Georgian white wine of controlled appellation of origin. Telavi Wine Cellar was founded in 1915 near Telavi, the central town of Kakheti, planting its first vineyards in the same year. Its philosophy combines modern technology with the ancient Georgian tradition of Marani, the sacred place for every Georgian, where the grape harvest is gathered, pressed and crushed in oak barrels and traditional clay jugs (quevri). The winery owns 450 hectares of vineyards along the Alazani River Valley in the most important appellations of the Kakheti wine region. The valley is divided by the river and guarded on one side by the Great Caucasian mountains (elev 3000-4000m) and by the Tsiv-Gombori mountain range on the other. This spectacular setting is the home of our Georgian wine gem.

Telavi Wine Cellar Marani Tsinandali is made from the native Georgian Rkatsiteli (80%) and Mtsvane (20%) grapes. This wine is medium dry, light golden in color, with a nose of apples, pears, peaches and ripe apricots. The mid palate is silky and round with ripe fruit notes. Its subtly creamy and complex taste is from partial aging in French oak. The finish lingers with light acidity balancing the fruity sweetness.

Enjoy Telavi Wine Cellar Marani Tsinandali chilled as an aperitif or with chicken, seafood, soft cheeses and fruit.