Cellar Door Wines

Saperavi is tipped to be the 'new Malbec' by a few well known wine critics. This ripe, Georgian red is full of red cherry and mulberry aromas and flavours, with layers of vanilla. Wonderful, soft rounded tannins with a long, juicy finish.

Country: Georgia

Region: Kakheti

Grapes: Saperavi

ABV: 13%

Food Matches: Red meat dishes, stews and casseroles, roast lamb or mature hard cheeses.

Read all about Penny's recent trip to the cradle of wine, Georgia in her blog here.

George Margvelashvili is the founder at Tbilvino Wines - where this delicious wine is made. Established 60 years ago, and over this period Tbilvino have become one of Georgia’s pioneering producers. Almost dormant at the end of the Soviet era, the winery was acquired by the Margvelashvili brothers, who set out to restore the facilities, and moved away from quantity to quality production.

Such a treat to drink Saperavi, Georgia's flagship, indigenous red grape variety with a bit of age. Eight years of barrel and bottle age has softened the tannins of this rich, meaty red. It is extremely silky and well balanced, but still has lovely ripe mulberry, blueberry and cassis aromas and flavours.

Country: Georgia

Region: Mukhrani

Grapes: Saperavi

ABV: 12.5%

Food matches: red meat or game grilled or in rich stews go very well with this wine.

Located between the Trialeti Mountains and the Caucasus, the beautiful Château Mukhrani is just 35km from Georgia's capital, Tbilisi. Definitely worth a visit if you are travelling to this historic winemaking country.

Read all about Penny's recent trip to the cradle of wine, Georgia in her blog here.

Fresh, zesty and full of life, with aromas of wild, ripe black currants and citrus zest. On the palate it is crisp, clean with notes of minerality and an almond skin finish.

Country: Georgia

Region: Kakheti

Grapes: Mtsvane

ABV: 13%

Food Match: Fresh goat's cheese salad with grilled asparagus or grilled seafood with pan fried fleshy white fish with a rich, mushroom sauce.

Read all about Penny's recent trip to the cradle of wine, Georgia in her blog here.

Inviting aromas of wild berry, spice and toasty, vanilla notes prelude a beautifully balanced palate with smoky ripe flavours of plum and earthy undertones. Pure and elegant on the finish. 8% of the wine was aged in new French oak barrels for eight months.

Country: Georgia

Region: Kakheti

Grapes: Saperavi

ABV: 13.5%

Food Match: Red Meat dishes, Stews and casseroles or Mature Cheeses

Georgia is considered to be the ‘cradle of wine', as 8,000 year-old indigenous Rkatsiteli grape seeds have been found in clay vessels. Vachnadziani was established in 1953 and is one of the oldest wineries in Georgia. During the Soviet years the vineyard fell into disrepair, but now the vineyards and cellars have received considerable investment. The aim is to preserve their ancient wine culture while combining it with cutting edge technology. With over 1,000 hectares of vineyard, covering the Kakheti region in eastern Georgia and the Imereti, Racha and Lechkhumi regions in western Georgia, Vachnadziani cultivates 25 vine varieties - the majority of which are indigenous. Their exciting and dynamic range reveals all the charm of this historic winemaking land.

A vibrant red wine with aromas of dark cherry, rich red forest fruits and floral notes of lavender and violet. The palate has hints of white truffle, hazelnut, and warm spices with glimpses of anise and clove, rounded off with herbaceous undertones. The finish is gripping, velvety and lingering.

Country: Lebanon

Region: Mount Lebanon and Bekaa Valley

Grapes: 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, blended with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Grenache & Mourvèdre

ABV: 13.5%

Produced at the historic Monastery of St Jean, whose building dates back to 1696. 75% of the grapes are from the Monastery’s own vineyards in Khenshara & Ajaltoun at 1000m altitude on the Maritime side of Mount Lebanon. The remaining 25% is Cabernet Sauvignon from the Bekaa Valley.

Cinsault (50%), Grenache (35%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (15%). Bright ruby colour with red fruit, plum, sloe berry and cherries on the aromas and flavours.

Country: Lebanon

Region: Bekaa Valley

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault,  Grenache

ABV: 13.5%

Rich, ripe and fruity red with black plum and dark cherry fruit. Soft, silky tannic structure.

Country: Lebanon

Region: Bekaa Valley

Grapes: Cinsault, Syrah, Carignan

ABV: 14%

Food match

Mediterranean meat dishes with grilled vegetables

Musar Jeune White is an unoaked blend of Viognier, Vermentino, Chardonnay from youthful Bekaa Valley vines. Crisp and aromatic, this is an exciting blend of French and Italian varieties has its own distinct characters of passionfruit, red apples and elderflower with a dry, refreshing finish.

Country: Lebanon

Region: Bekaa Valley

Grapes: Viognier, Vermentino, Chardonnay

ABV: 13.5%