Love structured, intensely flavoured red wines?
We’re into the swing of summer now – which means that barbecue season is well underway. And there’s one thing you can’t beat with a deliciously chargrilled steak: a big, bold, intense red.
If you always pick up big reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Shiraz and Primitivo then we have some great alternatives for you straight from the heart of Georgia.
Saperavi
Saperavi is the poster child for the growing popularity of Georgian wine in the UK. It’s become quite easy to find, stocked in mainstream supermarkets like Waitrose, and via online grocers like Farmdrop. That’s great news if you’re a fan of big, bold, firmly structured red wines. Because Saperavi fits the bill perfectly. Look for examples from warmer sites if you’re after something that’s deliciously interchangeable for the full bodied, spicy Primitivos and Shiraz’s you might ordinarily look for. You can find out more about Saperavi here.
Try this from VINUM (available to pre-order at time of writing) – awarded the 2020 Champion Red Wine at the International Wine Challenge, the first Georgian wine to win this prestigious accolade.
Mukuzani PDO: Saperavi from sheltered sites
Wine has been made under this PDO since 1893. Traditionally, it has been aged in oak barrels which makes Mukuzani wines distinct from other Saperavi wines fermented in qvevri – they’re often riper tasting, with more intense flavours. Expect a wine that’s dark, pomegranate-red with notes of ripe berries, bay leaves and a gentle hint of oak. You can find out more about Mukuzani PDO here.
Try this from The Georgian Wine Guild.
Otskhanuri Sapere
Otskhanuri Sapere is thought to be one of Georgia’s oldest grape varieties – which is really saying something in a country bursting with ancient grapes. It makes wines bursting with vibrant flavours of cherries, plums and forest fruits. They also tend to be really age worthy – just like great Cabernet Sauvignon. You can find out more about Otskhanuri Sapere here.