Marani Khvanchkara

About

In the middle of Alazani Valley, lies Kakheti’s largest and most important city, Telavi. Just outside the city is where TELAVI WINE CELLAR was founded in 1915. For nearly a century, we have blended innovation with a sense of history, keeping faithful to the noble traditions of Kakhetian winemaking, while adapting to modern methods to produce wines that would please the most refined, and discerning global palate. The wines of TELAVI WINE CELLAR embody the personality and diversity of Georgian viticulture and highlight our determination to present the best of our diverse local grape varieties and distinguished terroir.

In the magnificent environment of the ALAZANI RIVER VALLEY stretching from northwest to southeast, 110km between the Great Caucasus and Tsiv-Gombori mountain ranges, lays the ancient winemaking land of KAKHETI, with its oenological traditions, history and the largest and most diverse area in Georgia for quality winemaking. 22,500 hectares of vineyards, at altitudes of 250-650 m above the sea level, are divided equally between white and red varieties, contain seven of the most important Specific Viticulture Areas or SVA’s (or AOC as the French would say). On the right bank of Alazani you will find Tsinandali, Vazisubani, Akhasheni and Mukuzani, while Napareuli, Kvareli and Kindzmarauli nestle in the picturesque foothills of Great Caucasus at the left bank of Alazani River. These appellations are internationally recognized for the production of elegant whites and profound and complex reds, dry and semi sweet.

The grapes for Marani Khvanchkara are hand-picked at the optimum of their maturity end of October, beginning of November. Soft de-stemming and crushing is followed by fermentation at controlled temperature (23-28°C) in stainless steel tanks. Wine is fermented using the cultural yeast strains. Skin and cap management is performed by délestage and remontage. After 5-7 days of maceration, when usually the desired level of residual sugar is reached, fermentation is stopped by cooling, in order to retain the natural sweetness and freshness of the wine. Afterwards wine is kept cold at around 0°C before bottling.

Marani Khvanchkara is light ruby in color, has complex aromas of red fruit, dominated by raspberry, strawberry, with some notes of roasted almonds. The palate is lively with sweet strawberry, and is followed by a mellow blend of dried red berries mix, though there’s plenty of lively acidity to keep it fresh and balanced.