2021 Beka's Wine Chkhaveri White
WINEMAKER: Besik Meparishvili
REGION: Guria, Georgia
VARIETY: Chkhaveri
VITICULTURE: Organic
100% Chkhaveri, this clear pale wine with a hint of onion skin colour was fermented in stainless steel tanks with 10% staying on skins for 1 month. The wine was aged a further 12 months in tank after fermentation and was bottled unfined and unfiltered with a tiny amount of sulphur (5mg/100L) to protect bright fruit aromas. On the nose, delicate aromas of mandarin, lemon rind, peach and orange fruits. The palate is light and very dry with fresh but delicate lemon, peach and spice. Beka’s Wine was set up by winemaker Besik Meparishvili in 2018 in Guria, western Georgia. Besik’s great-grandfather was distinguished in the village by making exceptionally good wine. However, he only made wine for family consumption. In 2011, Besik returned to the village from the city and decided to develop his ancestors’ family vineyards into a family business for the future. The vineyards and marani (winery) are located in a small village called Partkhma within Guria. The vineyards are between 200m and 250m above sea level and were planted in 2013 to endemic Gurian varieties; Chkhaveri, Tsolikouri, Sakmiela, Chumuta, Mtredispekha, Kamuri & Aladasturi. The soil is loamy clay with limestone. In the marani, there are a total of six 1000L kvevris. The kvevris were originally buried outside as was the tradition in Guria, however they are currently in the process of constructing a new, covered cellar and tasting room which should be completed in the near future. Besik’s family, including his small children, are all actively involved in the process of wine production, helping him take care of the vines and assisting in the winery. Their brand name “Beka’s Wine” is so named after their son, Beka. The beautiful Guria region is one of the oldest centres of winemaking in Georgia where in the past, there were approximately 60 endemic varieties. Besik’s goal is to nurture these endemic varieties and revitalise the local industry, raising the profile of Gurian viticulture and improving the region’s wine tourism.