Iberieli: Cecilia 2022

Kakhetian iconic blend, Rkatsiteli 50% + Mtsvane 50%. A qvevri macerated wine with a calm, composed profile—more nuance than punch. Expect apple/pear skin, dried citrus peel, and gentle spice with an amber-wine texture. Phenolics are present but smooth, like a firm handshake rather than a squeeze. The finish stays long and tidy.

Winery: Iberieli
Origin: Tsinandali village, Kakheti
Vintage: 2022
Eye: Golden Amber
Alcohol: 12.00%

Food pairings:

Belgian vol-au-vent: creamy sauce meets phenolic structure and fresh lift.

Grilled zucchini + ricotta: herbal/green flavours match a savoury, structured white.

Baked feta with honey & thyme: sweet-salty contrast plays well with texture.

Iberieli is a family winery run by Zurab Topuridze, with vineyards and winemaking rooted in both Guria (West Georgia) and Kakheti (East Georgia). The estate’s aim is to protect Georgia’s authentic qvevri tradition, making natural-leaning wines from native grapes with a clear sense of place.

Disclaimer: in Kakheti, Zurab’s vineyard sits near Alazani River on stony soils, and his preference for lighter macerations often brings a distinct stony minerality to the finished wines.