W3 Wine School

Mtsvane Qvevri (Georgian Republic)

Mtsvane is an important Georgian white grape.

It grows primarily in the Kakheti region, where it produces both Dry white wines and Qvevri wines.

Mtsvane Qvevri Flavors

Lemon Zest
Lemon Zest
Orange Zest
Orange Zest
Mandarin
Mandarin
Peach
Peach
Apricot
Apricot
Quince
Quince
Jasmine
Jasmine
Herbs
Herbs

Flavors from Qvevry Maturation

Fig
Fig
Honey
Honey
Tea Leaves
Tea Leaves
Walnuts
Walnuts

Profile

Mtsvane Qvevri is most often full bodied, with good fruit and medium acidity.

SUGAR:Dry (3 g/l)
BODY:Full
TANNINS:Medium
FRUIT:Medium - High
ACIDITY:Medium
ALCOHOL:13-14% ABV
Temperature Serving temperature:
14-16°C (57-61°F)

Mtsvane Qvevri Food Pairing

Mtsvane Qvevri is very food friendly.

Antipasti
Finger Food
Ham
Ham
Charcuterie
Charcuterie
Onion Soup
Onion Soup
Chicken
Chicken
Duck
Duck
Pork
Pork
Lamb
Lamb

Excellent Pairings

Tapas. Charcuterie.
Roasted Meat. Pork. Lamb. Duck.
Mushrooms. Onions. Garlic.
Hearty Vegetable Stews.
Hazelnuts. Cashew. Pecans. Coconut.
Spiced Middle Eastern or Indian cuisine.
Aged cheeses.

Georgian Specialities

Ajapsandali (Georgian Ratatouille).
Dishes with walnuts or pomegranate sauces (satsivi, bazhe).

The Ideal Glass for Mtsvane Qvevri

The Chardonnay Glass was designed for enjoying full-bodied white wines. They have a wider bowl and a tapered top to enhance the buttery and oaky notes found in aged wines.

The wide bowl steers the wine to the sensitive parts of the tongue, ensuring that the acidity creates a harmonious balance with the sweet aromas of the wine.

The wide bowl allows the full bouquet of aromas to develop. It also reduces the risk for over-concentrated aromas.

Mtsvane Qvevri Cheese Pairing

Brie or Camembert

These creamy, rich cheeses complement the full, round mouthfeel of a full-bodied Mtsvane Qvevri. The buttery flavors in both the wine and the cheese enhance each other beautifully.

Gruyère and Comté

The nutty, slightly sweet flavors of these cheeses pair well with the complex fruit and oak characteristics of a full-bodied white wine. The firm cheese texture adds a pleasant contrast to the richness of the wine.

Munster And Époisses

A rich and pungent washed-rind cheese provides a bold contrast to the refinement of a full-bodied Mtsvane Qvevri.

Aged Gouda

Aged Gouda, with its caramel and butterscotch notes, matches the depth and complexity of a full-bodied Mtsvane Qvevri. The wine’s acidity helps balance the cheese’s rich flavors.

Havarti

The creamy and mild flavor of Havarti pairs well with the rich and buttery texture of a full-bodied Mtsvane Qvevri, making for a delightful and balanced pairing.

Aged Cheeses

The crystalline texture and savory, nutty flavor of aged chesses will complement the undertones of a full-bodied Mtsvane Qvevri.

If You Like Mtsvane Qvevri

You May Also Like:

Cassis (France)
Catarratto (Italy)
Chardonnay (France)
Condrieu (France)
Garnacha Blanca (Spain)
Grenache Blanche (France)
Marsanne (France)
Pinot Blanc (France)
Rioja White Oaked (Spain)
Rosazzo (Italy)
Roussanne (France)
Sémillon (France)
Trajadura (Portugal)
Treixadura (Spain)
Viognier (France)

Georgian Grapes

Mtsvane Kakhuri

Mtsvane

Mtsvane is a natve Georgian white wine grape.

It is often called Mtsvane Kakhuri to distinguish it from other local varieties that also carry the Mtsvane name.

About Mtsvane

Mtsvane means green. It referres to the grape's vibrant greenish hue when ripe.

The primary region is Kakheti, in Eastern Georgia — the heartland of Georgian winemaking, where it grows in the famous subzones like Tsinandali, Telavi, and Kvareli.

The climate here is continental, with hot summers and cold winters, and the soils are rich in limestone and alluvial deposits — ideal for structured, expressive wines.

Mtsvane is commonly used as a single-varietal wine, but can also be blended with Rkatsiteli (especially in the Tsinandali PDO).

The grape is suitable for both modern stainless steel vinification and traditional qvevri winemaking.

Mtsvane's resilience and adaptability to different environmental conditions, coupled with its contribution to high-quality wines, have secured Mtsvane's place in the Georgian wine scene. It's not just a grape variety; it's a symbol of the nation's viticultural heritage, offering a unique blend of history, diverse wine profiles, and adaptability.


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