Qarvani - Anapea Village Rkatsiteli Vardisferi Kvareli 2020

Pink Rkatsiteli, or Rkatsiteli Vardisferi in Georgian, is a pinkish-mauve-colored clonal mutation of the Rkatsiteli grape — just like Pinot Grigio is the pink-skinned clone of Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir. It's extremely rare and boasts a rosier, deeper aroma and flavor profile than its white brethren. Winemaker Katia Darguashvili and her husband Gocha make their version by hand-harvesting and destemming the grapes, then fermenting the juice on its pink skins with native yeast in qvevri, where the wine is then aged for four to five months and bottled unfined, unfiltered. The finished wine has a lovely, hazy orange-pink color and a nose of roses, golden raisins and spice. On the palate, citrus preserves, plum and raspberry compote give way way to a finish that is clean and lightly tannic with notes of bitter herbs and pink grapefruit. Pair with tomato seafood stew, pizza bianca, roasted pork tenderloin and acorn squash, Persian rice with lamb kofta, or beet hummus and best friends.  Serve