3 Qvevri Terraces Rkatsiteli 2022 (Papari Valley)

Enjoy it now or cellar for a few years. Decant for up to an hour before serving. Situated on the stunning slopes of the Gombori mountain range, Papari Valley is a family-owned winery with an instinct for innovation. It was founded in 2015 by a former physicist Nukri Kurdadze, who used his talents to invent a "one-of-a-kind" method of vinification. In Papari Valley’s cellar, wines are fermented through the force of gravity alone. Using traditional Georgian clay amphorae called Qvevri, the wine passes through three layered terraces - the first is for fermentation, the second for ageing, and the third for premium wines that go through even more ageing. This Rkatsiteli wine spent 11 months passing through these terraces, resulting in a remarkably smooth and complex wine. Bursting with bright scents of tropical fruit, rosehip and spice, this wine is a light yellow colour in the glass. The palate reveals an unctuous, slightly honeyed texture, with prominent notes of quince, citrus peel and orange marmalade. On further inspection, you can discover nutty flavours, along with hints of white pepper, white flowers and ginger. This is a rewarding wine, with lots of depth. It has a long, umami-tinged finish. The 3 Qvevri Terraces Rkatsiteli will pair excellently with a wide variety of aromatic dishes - consider dishes from Turkey, Lebanon, and of course, Georgia.