FREYA’S MARANI
Persati
Imereti
Ének is a young woman who audaciously moved from her native Massachusetts to Georgia back in 2014, after a totally non-wine first visit in 2013.
With a passion for local and organic produce, Ének quickly gravitated towards the world of natural wines and moved by curiosity, attempted to produce her first wine in the back room of Vino Underground, a wine bar in Tbilisi which she managed for five years. Shortly after, in 2016, she bought a house with a small vineyard on the outskirts of Persati at the foot of the Imereti mountains and so Freya’s Marani was born.
In the vineyard all work is carried out by hand and farming is strictly organic without the use of any additives or chemical substances. In the cellar the approach is as hands-off as it can be but with respect to the ancient ancestral methods. Some producers traditionally burn a bit of sulphur at the top of the qvevri at the start of fermentation, though she never done that nor used any Argon or CO2. Macerations, especially for the whites, can vary massively from one vintage to another though grapes are often de-stemmed as stems very rarely ripen in Western Georgia.
Serenada
Vintage 2021
Style White
Region Persati, Imereti
Varieties Tsolikouri
ABV
Soils Clay, limestone and alluvial pebbles
Farming Organic
Winemaking The Tsolikouri grapes are handed picked, foot crushed and direct pressed. There is no skin contact and the wines is aged on the lees for 7 months. No added sulphites. The wine is bottled entirely by using rescued used bottles.
Tasting Note Soft white pear scent blends in with greengage and dried citrus. Lovely energy and elegance without ever losing its character.
Esmeralda
Vintage 2021
Style Rosé
Region Persati, Imereti
Varieties Tsolikouri, Krakhuna, Aladasturi
ABV 12.6%
Soils Clay, limestone and alluvial pebbles
Farming All the grapes are hand picked and foot trodden. 45% of a blend of Tsolikouri Krakhuna is directed pressed, whilst another 45% of the same combination is left on the skins and stems for 24 hours. The wine is then topped up with 10% of Aladasturi grapes that were macerated on the skins and stems for 7 months. The wines is vinified in the traditional Qvevris. No sulphites were added. The wine is bottled entirely by using rescued used bottles.
Tasting Note Notes dried lime, meadow flowers, and fresh grass blend in with aromas of elderflower, bruised gooseberries and stone fruit. Lots of freshness lifted by a nice bite on the palate. This is full flavour with a savoury herbal edge, yet light and elegant in body.
Ariqa
Vintage 2021
Style Red
Region Persati, Imereti
Varieties Aladasturi
ABV 11.2%
Soils Clay, limestone and alluvial pebbles
Farming Organic
Winemaking These grapes have been foot crushed spontaneously fermented on the skins, with a maceration of 10 days on the skins and stems. The wine is fermented in the traditional Qvevris and aged in glass Demi Johns. No sulphites were added.
This wine was bottled entirely with rescued bottles.
Tasting Note Redcurrant, Pot Pourri, dried rosemary and scrubbed herbs shine through the beautiful crunchy red cherry fruit. Hints of sandalwood and rooibos tea come to mind as well. A lovely elegant and spicy light red.