GWS, Qvevri Tamada, Kakheti, Georgia, 2014

This qvevri Rkatsiteli from fruit grown in the village of Vardisubani comes from the Tamada range of PDO wines from large producer GWS (Georgian Wines and Spirits Company). The wine spends a year in used barriques after its time in qvevri. It’s bright gold in colour, with a pretty scent combining doughy richness, walnut butter, umami and a sweet barley sugar note. It is an accessible and attractive reading of the qvevri style, with rounded flavours of apple and apricot, soft, ripe acidity, limpid textures, and a nutty finish. This is a clean and fresh style - 'let’s have qvevri wine without diseases,' says chief winemaker Philippe Lespy.