Deep ruby-purple color; plum, raspberry, dark cherry, earth on the nose and palate.
Dry; ripe, velvety tannins with some grip on the finish. Moderate-plus acidity. Medium-full body. Big fruit. Very easy drinker; smooth, tasty, very accommodating in the mouth. Well worth finding. Saperavi is a classic grape primarily grown in the Republic of Georgia. The wine was made in classic qvevri, an ancient earthen vessel extensively employed in Georgia. Grapes and winery in Kakherti, Georgian Republic, a premier wine district in the country. 13% ABV
Qimerioni describes itself on its website: “Qimerioni Winery makes premium wines and spirits of exceptional quality from vineyards situated in Georgia’s most acclaimed winemaking regions essentially in Kakheti. Our Wines are made using classical as well as Kakhetian traditional methods respecting 8,000 years old Georgian winemaking traditions.”
There is limited information about Qimerioni on its sparse website. It appears to have been founded in 2011. The saperavi grape originated in the Kakheti region—where these grapes were harvested. It is an ancient variety and is the most important red grape in the Georgian wine industry. While Georgia dominates production, they now are grown in Eastern Europe and in the New World in the Finger Lakes and Niagara and in Australia. It is a hardy variety able to handle high altitude and very cold weather—characteristics of the Kakheti region. The grapes are unusual in that the red anthocyanin is found in both the skin and the pulp.
Qimerioni Premium Saperavi Qvevri Dry Red, Georgian Republic 2019 is exotic, smooth, rich, rustic, delicious. Made using signature red grape in the Georgian Republic. Made in earthen qvevri, not stainless steel, wood barrels, or concrete eggs. Qimerioni is a quality maker, and their saperavi is an excellent way to discover not only this ancient grape, but also the ancient production method using qvevri. The Georgian Republic is a rising star in the wine world firmament. Pair with grilled beef; lamb; pork; comfort food—pizza, mac and cheese, gourmet burgers, meatloaf. Cheese—this is very versatile; cheddar, havarti, swiss, gruyere, parmesan, asiago, muenster, gouda, brie, colby, camembert, gorgonzola. Will pair with any food that pairs with merlot. $12-13
The Qimerioni website does not present useable photos.