Country: Georgia
Region: Kakheti
Wine maker: Casreli Wines
Grape varieties: 100% Khikhvi
Terroir
The grapes are picked from young vines in the Shaloant Akhoebi vineyard. It is located 450m above sea level with a stony bottom of clay and loamy soil. The vineyards are west facing with sun all day, on the right bank of the Alazani Valley.
Harvest method
Grapes are selected and picked manually.
Vineyard treatment
This is a natural wine made from organically treated vineyards.
Vinification
The grapes are destemmed and slightly bruised and put in the qvevri. After spontaneous fermentation on wild yeasts, the wine matures for another eight months with the skins and seeds in the qvevri. The wine is not clarified or filtered. Filtration happens automatically in the qvevri.
Impression
Clear and almost golden colour. Pure and slightly earthy. Kumquats and hazelnuts, marmalade and dried apricots. Drying tannins.
Did you know?
The Khikvi grows only in Georgia, mainly in the western province of Khakheti. It is an ancient grape that was probably already planted here in the Middle Ages. Wine has been made from it for so long. Although you rarely see them, because the Khikhvi is also relatively scarce in Georgia.