Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Tchotiashvili Family Vineyards – “Nitsa” Qvevri Rosé 2020 (Montepulciano)
Kakheti – Georgia 🇬🇪

Overview
Crafted as a 100% Montepulciano Rosé, this natural qvevri wine is an unusual find in Georgia, where indigenous grapes dominate. The Tchotiashvili family specializes in artisanal, small-batch qvevri wines that bridge tradition with experimentation. (Educational note: Using Montepulciano — an Italian variety — in Kakheti shows Georgia’s openness to international grapes, adapted through its ancient winemaking vessel: the qvevri.)

Aromas & Flavors
Wild strawberry, cherry, and cranberry tones mingle with rose petal, blood orange, and herbal hints. Subtle earthy spice and minerality from the qvevri bring complexity.

Mouthfeel
Dry and medium-bodied, with vibrant acidity and a textured, slightly grippy feel from skin contact in clay. Clean, savory, and long on the finish.

Food Pairings
Excellent with grilled vegetables, poultry skewers, or Mediterranean mezze. Also pairs with Georgian walnut-based dishes, or simply enjoyed chilled as a serious rosé.

Verdict
A distinctive rosé that fuses Italian grape character with Georgia’s qvevri heritage. Fresh yet textured, fruit-driven yet savory — one of the most interesting and unique rosés I’ve tasted in the last decade. 🍷cheers!

Did You Know?
Tchotiashvili Family Vineyards is a boutique winery in Kakheti producing only a few thousand bottles per year, many of them natural qvevri wines.

Hidden Gem 💎
A Montepulciano rosé made in Georgian qvevri is almost unheard of. The 2020 “Nitsa” stands out as both innovative and rare, a bottle that redefines expectations of what rosé can be. — 18 days ago

Mathew Heinen

9.7

Georgian natural wine. High acid, full of vibrance. On the nose- fresh grass, wildflower, orange peels, fennel seed, blueberry, heirloom tomato. On the palate, underripe blueberry, cumin/coriander, orange blossom. Delicious with hummus and pita, olives, eggplant. — 5 years ago

Rich Friedland

9.1

Apple and pear everywhere — 7 years ago

chubchek

9.7

Good easy drinkable orange wine without big pressure of tannins. But you will clearly feel the traditional Georgian wine style. — 8 months ago

Vitaly Domnenko

9.0

Bm. Tm. Am. Fm. — 4 years ago

Alex Taylor

9.1

Had at Noble Riot, March 2021 — 5 years ago

Rich Friedland

9.5

Sweet sweet sauce — 7 years ago

Adam Kincaid

9.2

This is a delight and drinking gorgeously. Reminds me of sitting at a cafe in Tibilisi years ago. A good memory i’ve been chasing for almost a decade. Strong dark red color with dried cherries, leather, and chocolate on the nose. Structure is great, the tannins are not too intense and acidity is just right. Prunes and spice, a little earth. Rich. — 2 years ago

Colleen Z

9.0

Bold, dry amber wine - high in tannins, acidic, notes of honey, apricot, cherry and orange. Beautiful Georgian wine. — 4 years ago

with Triza

Galen Hasler

8.9

Big inky historic style red. Lacks complexity. Bright acidity and perfect tannins — 6 years ago