Style
Qvevri wine
KVEV-ree
Buried clay, skins and all
Georgia's traditional vessel: an egg-shaped clay amphora buried in the ground. Whites fermented on skins become amber; reds become tannic and earthy.
- orange peel
- tea
- walnut
- pomegranate
- earth
UNESCO listed the method. The clay is not a gimmick: temperature is stable underground, oxygen ingress is gentle, and skins, pips, and sometimes stems stay in contact for weeks or months.
Amber qvevri wine is the ancestor of the orange-wine fashion. Judge it on balance and cleanliness, not on folklore alone.
Walnut sauces, grilled meats, and herbs.
At the table
Service
Amber 54–57 °F (12–14 °C); reds 61 °F (16 °C).
