Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Anapea Village – “Kvareli Side” Amber Dry Kisi 2020
Kvareli, Kakheti – Georgia 🇬🇪

Overview
Made from 100% Kisi, one of Georgia’s rarest and most expressive indigenous grapes, this amber wine is produced in the Kakhetian qvevri tradition with extended skin contact. The 2020 vintage shows how Kisi balances aromatic finesse with structure and depth. (Educational note: Kisi was nearly extinct by the late 20th century, but its revival in Kakheti has positioned it as one of the country’s flagship grapes for amber wines.)

Aromas & Flavors
Honeyed apricot, baked quince, and dried orange peel lead, with chamomile, tea leaf, and subtle nutmeg. A touch of almond and earthy spice adds savory complexity.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with firm tannins and lively acidity. Textured and layered, finishing long, dry, and slightly savory — a hallmark of Kakhetian amber.

Food Pairings
Perfect with walnut-stuffed eggplant, roasted lamb, or aged cheeses. Also excellent with hearty grain dishes like pilaf.

Verdict
A remarkable amber Kisi — structured, aromatic, and beautifully balanced. The 2020 vintage offers both freshness and maturity, making it a standout among Georgia’s revived heritage wines. 🍷

Did You Know?
Kisi was nearly lost during the Soviet era, but its revival has made it one of Georgia’s most celebrated indigenous whites, particularly for amber wines aged in qvevri.

Hidden Gem 💎
Kisi is rare enough — but in amber form, from the Kvareli side, it becomes a true gem, combining history, revival, and terroir expression in a single bottle. — a month ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Anapea Village – “Sandro Kissy” Blend 2020
Kvareli, Kakheti – Georgia 🇬🇪

Overview
A small-production qvevri wine by Anapea Village, the “Sandro Kissy” blend (sometimes referred to as “Kisi Blend”) brings together indigenous Georgian varieties for a distinctive amber expression. The 2020 vintage reflects both traditional Kakhetian winemaking and the estate’s artisanal approach. (Educational note: Anapea Village is known for reviving near-lost grapes and producing terroir-driven amber wines in micro-quantities.)

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe apricot, quince, and candied citrus peel upfront, layered with wild herbs, tea leaf, and subtle honey tones. Secondary earthy spice and a faint nuttiness add depth.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied, textured, and structured with firm tannins from skin contact. Acidity keeps the wine lifted, while the finish is savory, long, and complex.

Food Pairings
Excellent with walnut-based Georgian dishes (pkhali), roasted lamb or chicken, or Middle Eastern mezze. Also pairs well with hard cheeses.

Verdict
A soulful amber blend — structured, aromatic, and artisanal. The 2020 “Sandro Kissy” captures both heritage and experimentation, a hallmark of Anapea Village. 🍷

Did You Know?
Anapea Village ferments all its wines in buried qvevri and often experiments with micro-blends of indigenous grapes, making bottles like “Sandro Kissy” rare outside Georgia.

Hidden Gem 💎
A scarce artisanal blend from a boutique producer, the 2020 “Sandro Kissy” is a true discovery for anyone exploring Georgia’s indigenous wine revival.
— a month ago

Boris Plutov

8.9

Saperavi variety — 4 years ago

with Maria

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Anapea Village – Rkatsiteli “Kvareli Side” Amber Dry Rosé 2022 Kvareli, Kakheti – Georgia 🇬🇪

Overview
Made from 100% Rkatsiteli, this rare “amber rosé” style reflects both Kakheti’s qvevri traditions and a creative twist on skin-contact winemaking. Coming from Kvareli, a subregion better known for bold Saperavi reds, this bottling shows how Georgia’s signature white grape can take on unexpected expressions. (Educational note: Rkatsiteli is one of the world’s oldest cultivated grapes, prized for its high acidity, which adapts well to both fresh whites and amber styles.)

Aromas & Flavors
Apricot skin, blood orange, and wild strawberry notes mingle with dried herbs, rose petals, and a subtle tea-leaf edge. A faint nuttiness lingers beneath the fruit, reflecting its amber character.

Mouthfeel
Light-to-medium bodied with a textured grip from skin contact. Dry, crisp acidity keeps it refreshing, while the finish is savory and slightly earthy — sitting between rosé brightness and amber depth.

Food Pairings
Excellent with grilled trout, spiced poultry, or vegetable skewers. Also pairs well with walnut-based Georgian dishes and mezze platters.

Verdict
A fascinating hybrid of styles — not a conventional rosé, not a classic amber, but something uniquely Georgian. Vibrant, textured, and thought-provoking, this 2022 Rkatsiteli from Kvareli shows the versatility of both grape and tradition. 🍷

Did You Know?
“Kvareli” lies at the foothills of the Caucasus, famous for deep Saperavi reds. Producing an amber-rosé Rkatsiteli here is an adventurous departure, highlighting the creativity of Georgia’s new generation of winemakers. — a month ago

Zviad Eliziani

9.2

Very good mtsvivani wine .. — 2 years ago

GV

8.9

A very pleasant wine from Georgia 🇬🇪.

Deep purple colour with lots of dark fruit, notably cherry on the nose with some oak.
A little tannin that's nicely balanced against a hint of sweetness that follows the plums and blackberry.

Overall, it was a lovely wine from a winery in Kvareli close to the river Alazani.

From Majestic UK. — 3 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Anapea Village – “Kvareli Side” Amber Dry Mtsvane 2020. Kvareli, Kakheti – Georgia 🇬🇪

Overview
Made from 100% Mtsvane, this qvevri amber wine is one of Anapea Village’s small-production treasures from the Kvareli side of Kakheti. With extended skin contact, the 2020 vintage reveals both the grape’s lively aromatics and the structured depth of traditional Kakhetian amber. (Educational note: Mtsvane, meaning “green” in Georgian, is prized for its bright acidity and perfume — in amber style it takes on extra tannin, spice, and longevity.)

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh quince, green apple, and citrus peel mingle with chamomile, honeycomb, and dried herbs. Subtle tea leaf and almond skin add savory depth, giving balance between fruit brightness and earthy complexity.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied, textural, and structured, with a fine tannic grip from skin contact. Acidity keeps the wine lifted, finishing long, dry, and savory.

Food Pairings
Pairs beautifully with walnut-stuffed eggplant (badrijani nigvzit), roasted poultry, or grilled fish. Also excellent with Middle Eastern mezze and hard cheeses.

Verdict
A beautifully expressive amber Mtsvane — aromatic, structured, and artisanal. The 2020 vintage shows balance between freshness and rustic qvevri character, making it one of Anapea’s standout bottlings. 🍷

Did You Know?
Single-varietal amber Mtsvane is rare — most producers blend it. Anapea’s decision to showcase it alone highlights the estate’s dedication to reviving Georgia’s indigenous grapes.

Hidden Gem 💎
A qvevri-fermented amber Mtsvane from Kvareli is a rare discovery, combining perfume, texture, and history in one bottle. — a month ago

Max Kappl

9.4

Georgia, oh Georgia… ❤️ — 2 years ago

Marty

9.6

Absolutely loved this Georgian rose picked up at Il Vino Torchio. Balances tannins, strawberry first with a dry leathery ending, more like a red than rose. — 3 years ago

Ben Christen

9.2

35 varieties. Delicious. — 5 years ago

with Ellen