Fall in New England is a truly magical time. Perfect for hiking, leaf peeping, and delicious natural wine on a mountain! Yes, when in doubt we recommend that you DO be that crazy person who lugs a bottle of wine 5 miles and 2000 feet of elevation above the most beautiful golden orange landscape. Although, truth be told, no wine was consumed before we were safely back home after the journey.
Teleda Orgo Dila-O Dry Amber Wine ($16) is a 50/50 blend of Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane made in the 8,000-year-old qvevri wine making tradition in Kakheti, Eastern Georgia. So what do all these words mean?
A qvevri is a large, egg-shaped clay vessel with a wide mouth at the top. Though researchers believe the earliest qvevri were stored above ground, Georgian winemakers for millennia have buried their juice-filled qvevri to ferment underground.
Rkatsiteli (“ruh-kat-see-tell-ee”) is one of the oldest grape varietals in the world, tracing its origins back as far as 3000 BC. It is a pale skinned, white grape with high acidity whose name literally translates to “red stem” or “red horns” due to the color of the stems of the vine. Mtsvane (“ma-ts-vah-nay”) is another white grape whose name translates to “green” and brings a tropical aroma and citrus edge to the blend.
Gogi Dikishivili and his son Temur bring modern twists to ancient techniques with this wine. It’s 100% fermented in traditional qvevri with indigenous yeast and 1 month of skin contact. The result is a fantastic introduction to the world of Georgian orange wine as it tastes totally multidimensional with notes of apricot, pear, citrus, and honey, yet approachably balanced.
It’s delicious served chilled on a crisp fall day! Bonus points if you can enjoy a glass while resting your muscles after a picturesque hiking adventure.
Witty Pairs 