Archil Guniava 2 Pack (Imereti, Georgia)

Otskhanuri Sapere Tsolikouri 2019 $25 Archil starts this wine by partially filling a Qvevri with Tsolikouri, an aromatic white grape that gets picked in September, then in November he harvests the Otskahanuri Sapere and adds it to the Qvevri, where it ages until spring. Medium bodied with smoky wild berry and plum fruit with a peppery leather note and a lifted fresh finish. Great with anything coming off of the grill.

100% Dondghlabi a rare white grape from Imereti on the verge of going extinct, but Archil and his family are one of the only producers keeping it alive. Organically grown and macerated for 4 months on the skins in generations old Qvevri, where it ages on the lees for another 5 months before getting bottled unfiltered with minimal sulfur added. Lighter and brighter than the skin maceration might make you think, with soft, plush tannins and ripe orchard fruit. Delicious and unique.