Philadelphia, PA – (Jan. 20, 2021) – Why not present a romantic gift to your Valentine — a Qvevri Kisi! Sada Wine Imports, a U.S. importer of Georgian wines, has released 3 qvevri wines under its family’s Sun Wine label, and one is an amber-colored Kisi Qvevri.
“Our family is very proud to introduce wines made in ancient Georgian traditional Qvevri method with minimal intervention,” said Zurab Cherashvili, operations manager of Sada Wine Imports. “The 2019 Kisi Qvevri, in particular, is a welcome alternative white wine, with its subtle tannin structure for added complexity.”
Georgia, the country that intersects Europe and Asia and was once a Soviet republic, is home to Caucasus Mountain villages, Black Sea beaches and an ancient wine-growing region producing over 500 unique grapes to make exotic and affordable wines. The country is one of the oldest winemaking regions in the world, a fact that came to light five years ago, when archeologists discovered qvevri (pronounced “kway-vree”), traditional clay vessels used in winemaking. Inside the qvevri were grape seeds dating to 6000 BCE. UNESCO was so amazed by the longevity of these ancient clay jars that they included qvevri on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2013.
The following three wines were made in qvevri, the large egg-shaped, beeswax-lined, porous terracotta vessels filled with grapes – skins in-tact, covered and buried underground for six months. Due to the vessel’s bulbous shape and pointed bottom, it acts as a natural filtration system, enhancing the natural essence of Georgia wines.
- 2019 Sun Wine Kisi Qvevri Amber ($22)
Kisi (key-see) grapes are a rare grape varietal that grow on old vines on the mountains of Kakheti. This is an amber colored, or “orange” wine with aromatic notes of dried orange peel and stone fruit leads to a palate of deep citrus with hints of black tea. It is a full-bodied wine with a tight tannin structure, best served with hard cheeses, pork, or grilled chicken.
- 2018 Sun Wine Rkatsiteli Qvevri Dry Amber ($20)
Made with 100% Rkatsiteli grapes, (Rkatsiteli literally translates to “red stem”) this sumptuous wine is “orange” and offers a ripe citrus bouquet and sweeping, complex palate of dried orange peel, sweet tea, stone fruits, and a lingering finish of caramel. Serve this wine with spiced meats, rice, lentils, or smoked eggplant.
- 2019 Sun Wine Saperavi ($23)
Saperavi, (Georgian translation “to give color”) is an acidic, teinturier-type grape whose red flesh is attributed to anthocyanin pigments stored within the pulp of the grape berry itself. From the vineyards of Kvareli, this Saperavi wine presents an intense, dark pomegranate color leading to an earthy, ripened cherry bouquet. On the palate, a nice tannin structure and medium-bodied mouthfeel of pomegranate finishes with a touch of spice.
Instead of a dozen roses, why not offer a dozen bottles of Qvevri Kisi for your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day? All three qvevri wines are available for purchase online at www.sada-wine.com.
With the release of these qvevri wines, Sada Wine Imports invites you to join its wine club, giving oenophiles and novices alike access to an array of benefits, including discounts, first notifications of limited releases, and incentive savings on shipments and anniversary gifts. For more information or to sign up, please visit https://sada-wine.com/wine-club. Please sign up for our mailing list while online.
About Sada Wine Imports
Sada Wine Imports, under the Sun Wine label, is an importer of its family’s Georgian wines to the United States. Its mission is to explore the full potential of winemaking in the birthplace of wine by producing the highest quality wines from its vineyards, using both the European and the ancient Georgian traditional Qvevri methods and sharing them with wine lovers around the world.
