Askaneli, Muza (Qvevri)

“A perfumed nose of quince, banana skin and preserved yellow fruit; fermented on the skin, aged in Qvevri then oak barrels, it has a refreshing palate of yellow fruits, almond and Christmas spices, leaving a touch of wood tannin on the long finish”

“Askaneli’s 2019 Muza Qvevri, for example, is profoundly delicious, lifted with aromas of honeycomb and singing with dried and mashed apricots, marzipan, preserved oranges and lemons, and hints of dried honeysuckle. It’s the kind of wine that changes in utterly fascinating ways as the chill comes off it in the glass: Interactive, rewarding wine at its best.”

“Chateau Svanidze, located in the Kakheti region, has been making wine for 150 years, and sees its Mukuzani red as Georgia’s answer to Italy’s Tignanello, while Khomli, located in the northwestern Lechkhumi region, boasts a portfolio whose bottles can reach hefty price tags of about £899”

“Guerriero Della Terra [It. Warrior of the Earth], a late-harvested Montepulciano-based blend of intense Port-like concentration, melty tannins, and a touch of sweet vanilla oak, was unsurprisingly the favourite wine, given its bestseller status. It is indulgent, rich, and obvious. It stays with you as your attention drifts, and makes no demands of its drinker. It is thus an effective first-date wine”