{"title":"Iago's Wine","description":"\u003cp data-end=\"434\" data-start=\"77\"\u003eIago Bitarishvili is one of the key figures behind the modern revival of Georgian natural wine. Working out of a tiny 2-hectare vineyard in Kartli, he was among the first producers to return to traditional qvevri winemaking in the early 2000s, at a time when most of the country had shifted toward industrial methods. \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"980\" data-start=\"436\"\u003eHis focus is almost entirely on \u003cstrong data-end=\"479\" data-start=\"468\"\u003eChinuri\u003c\/strong\u003e, a native Georgian variety that thrives in the Mukhrani Valley. The vines are old and handled with minimal interference, but the defining element is the use of \u003cstrong data-end=\"671\" data-start=\"661\"\u003eqvevri\u003c\/strong\u003e: large clay vessels buried underground where the wine ferments and ages.  \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1642\" data-start=\"1372\"\u003eIago’s influence goes far beyond his small production. He was the first winemaker in Georgia to gain chemical-free certification in 2005 and has been a driving force in bringing qvevri wines back into both local and international focus. \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1929\" data-start=\"1644\"\u003eThe project is very much a family one. His wife, \u003cstrong data-end=\"1714\" data-start=\"1693\"\u003eMarina Kurtanidze\u003c\/strong\u003e, makes her own wines alongside him, working mainly with \u003cstrong data-end=\"1782\" data-start=\"1771\"\u003eMtsvane\u003c\/strong\u003e, a variety that gives a more aromatic, fruit-driven expression compared to Iago’s more structured Chinuri. \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2093\" data-start=\"1931\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"iagos-wine-chinuri-2024","title":"Iago's Wine - Chinuri 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003eIago Bitarishvili is Georgia's great champion of the Chinuri grape - the ancient white variety native to the Kartli region that most of the wine world still hasn't found. From the vineyards of Chardakhi village, he makes exactly two wines (his wife also makes one). This is one of the two he makes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Iago's Wine Chinuri 2024 taste?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhilst the bottle states 7 months on skins, this wine is more of a clear white in colour and familiarity. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis wine has super cool nose which is unique and complex, with pops of c\u003cstrong\u003eantelope melon, bonfire smoke, kiwi, green banana and iron alongside subtle herbal and mineral notes.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOn the palate: lively and structured,\u003c\/strong\u003e with the characteristic bright acidity of the Chinuri grape, soft tannins, and a long, clean mineral finish as well as \u003cstrong\u003emore smoke and bursts of quince.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is Iago's Chinuri made?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe grapes go in whole, skins, stems and seeds, and ferment with wild yeasts in a buried qvevri. \u003cstrong\u003eSeven months of maceration on the full skins.. \u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003ebut\u003c\/span\u003e we are very surprised by this as very much a white wine. So we asked Iago, and he told us Chinuri tends to never have a deep amber colour like other Kakheti varitals, but this 2024 vintage was indeed much lighter than usual\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is Chinuri?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChinuri is an ancient indigenous white grape from the Kartli region of Georgia, rare even within the country, and largely unknown outside it. Iago Bitarishvili is one of the few growers farming it with real seriousness. The name means 'true' or 'genuine' in Georgian. Try it and you'll understand why.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Naturwein Georgien","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54761932685580,"sku":"MORE-5557-SKU","price":24.4,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0221\/6407\/8692\/files\/Iago_s-Wine---Chinuri.png?v=1777534630"},{"product_id":"iagos-wine-blend-2024","title":"Iago's Wine - Blend 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Blend by Iago's Wine is a cross-regional co-ferment: 50% Chinuri from Chardakhi in Kartli, and 50% Mtsvane from Manavi in Kakheti — two different Georgian grapes, two different regions, going into the same qvevri together. The Chinuri brings purity and bright acidity; the Mtsvane brings aromatic richness. Between them, something quite special.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Iago's Wine Blend 2024 taste?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is light amber in colour, complex on the nose with pops of dried citrus, orchard fruit, herbal notes. It's structured on the palate with delicate tannins and a long, lively finish giving notes of pear, quince, dried herbs and a soft iron like quality. This delicious wine is juicer and more cloudy than the Iago's Chinuri, which is more white. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarafe to give more expression with some air and drink in big glasses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is Iago's Blend made?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBoth varieties go into qvevri as whole bunches with wild yeasts, and macerate on skins and stems together for seven months. A genuine co-fermentation across two regions — the grapes arrive from different parts of Georgia and are unified at the cellar in Chardakhi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is Mtsvane?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMtsvane (literally 'green' in Georgian) is one of Georgia's most aromatic white varieties, grown primarily in Kakheti. With extended skin contact, it produces wines of real depth — amber-hued, richly textured, and far more complex than the name suggests. Here it's the aromatic counterweight to Chinuri's structure and acidity.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Naturwein Georgien","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54761932849420,"sku":"MORE-5558-SKU","price":24.4,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0221\/6407\/8692\/files\/Iago_s-Wine---BLend-Iago.png?v=1777533703"},{"product_id":"iagos-wine-marina-2024","title":"Iago's \/ Marina's Wine - Marina Mtsvane 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003eMarina is Iago's wife, and she makes her own wine. Separately sourced, separately fermented, from her own vision of what Georgian amber wine should be.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMarina Kurtanidze, together with Tea Melanashvili, founded the first female-run Georgian winery in 2012. Under the name Mandili, they began producing natural wines using the traditional qvevri method and gained international recognition. Later, Marina joined her husband, Iago Bitarishvili, another pioneer of natural winemaking in Georgia. They adhere strictly to local traditions and avoid modern winemaking techniques.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Marina is 100% Kakhuri Mtsvane from the vineyards of Manavi in Kakheti, with seven months of skin and stem maceration in qvevri.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Marina by Iago's Wine taste?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUnlike the other Iago's wines we have on offer, expect a more recognisable amber in the glass. The nose opens with \u003cstrong\u003ehoneyed apricot and peach\u003c\/strong\u003e, then shifts into \u003cstrong\u003ewild herbs like mint and eucalyptus and a delicate hint of black tea. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e Further complexity comes with notes of\u003cstrong\u003e Malt, Rye Bread and Aniseed.\u003c\/strong\u003e The palate is full and beautifully balanced, offering good structure, soft tannins and fresh acidity. The finish is long and aromatic, and a carafe rewards everything further\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Marina Bitarishvili — Iago's Wine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMarina works from the same small cellar as Iago in Chardakhi, but the Marina wine is entirely her own project. Different grape, different source village, different expression — same commitment to qvevri and zero intervention. A rare example of two producers sharing a cellar but making genuinely distinct wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is Kakhuri Mtsvane?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKakhuri Mtsvane is the Kakheti-region strain of the Mtsvane variety — one of Georgia's most prized white grapes, producing wines of notable aromatic richness and textural depth. With seven months of skin contact, it develops the amber colour and structure of a serious orange wine, while retaining the fresh acidity that makes Georgian whites so distinctive.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Naturwein Georgien","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54761932882188,"sku":"MORE-5559-SKU","price":24.4,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0221\/6407\/8692\/files\/Iago_s-Wine---Marina-Mtsvane.png?v=1777533281"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0221\/6407\/8692\/collections\/Iago_s_Wine.jpg?v=1777709449","url":"https:\/\/morenaturalwine.com\/en-fr\/collections\/iagos-wine.oembed","provider":"MORE Natural Wine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}