Tbilvino: new Georgia!
The Kyiv’s restaurant Whisky Corner witnessed the Ukrainian wine pros’ and mass media representatives’ tasting 12 best samples by Tbilvino.
The tasting was conducted by wine enthusiast Ihor Adelov, who has long been aware of the winery’s products, and is also a connoisseur of, and an expert in, the company’s fine products and stages of development. It should be also noted that some wines from Mr. Adelov’s personal collection are not available in Ukraine, which implies that we had an opportunity to taste the exclusive wines.
A few words about Tbilvino and the company’s operations.
The oldest company in Georgia was established in 1962. In the late 1990s, brothers Zurab and Georgi Margvelashvili began to lead the company’s drive. Focus on quality, the most-up-to-date approaches to winemaking, the search for new flavors, and aromas has led to absolute renovation of Tbilvino, which was completed only in 2008.
In 2020, for the first time in the history of the International Wine Challenge, the Georgian red wine Tbilvino Saperavi 2018 became the competition’s champion and won the title of Champion Red Trophy. Next year witnessed a new record set: 47 awards were gained at international competitions of IWC, Decanter and others.
Today, Tbilisi is a hub for its main bottling facilities possessing the most advanced equipment, which uses the world-class know-how, such as Cross-Flow filters: they do not need to be replaced, and the wine needs to be filtered only once.
In 2009, Tbilvino’s exports ranked first in Georgia, and in 2011, the International Investment Fund issued a loan for the purchase of a 40-hectare plot of land in Kvareli Region, where a contemporary winery with the most up-to-date equipment is being built. In 2014, the owners bought vineyards to create a closed production cycle. Currently, the area of its own vineyards is 355 hectares. Such grape varieties as Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane Kahuri, Mtsvane, Khihvi, Alexandrauli, and Mujeretuli are grown.
Tasting notes:
Tsinandali 2019 – 85% Rkatsiteli, 15% Mtsvane. Fresh aroma of yellow fruits, grapefruit, mango. Light, drinkable, well balanced. It won Silver from Decanter and IWC in 2020.
Amber Kisi 2020 is a wonderful wine in European style, bright aroma of mandarin, quince, light and drinkable, good acidity.
Amber Rkatsiteli 2020 is a wine that is calmer in aroma and is gastronomic compared to Amber Kisi, with hints of dried fruits, quinces, and dried apricots.
“Qvevris” Rkatsiteli 2020 has richer aroma compared to Amber wines, with dominating dried apricots, honey, spices. The traditional Kakhetian method of kvevri is felt.
“Qvevris” Mtsvane is one of the best presented kvevri. The aroma has spicy notes, linden flowers, honey, bright acidity, light and delicate aftertaste.
Saperavi 2019: aroma with pronounced notes of red berries, notes of spices. Pleasant balanced tannins, long-lasting aftertaste. Great combination of price and quality.
Mukuzani 2018: exclusive wine from the tasting organizer. Bright aroma with hints of ripe berries and laurel, velvety tannins and a persistent aftertaste.
“Qvevris” Saperavi 2019: another exclusive wine from the organizer of the tasting. Traditional kvevri saperavi with boiled-down cherries, currants, and spices dominating in the aroma. Tannins with good structure, fruity notes and long-lasting aftertaste.
Mukuzani Special Reserve 2014: European-style wine, luxurious aroma of ripe cherries, vanilla, dark chocolate and sweet spices, tertiary aromas.