Saturday Wine Tasting 10/4
October 4: Caucasus and Asia
Come join us this Saturday for a fabulous afternoon of wine tasting at The San Francisco Wine Trading Company! Whether you're a wine connoisseur or just looking to have a good time, this event is perfect for you. Sample a variety of exquisite wines and mingle with fellow wine enthusiasts. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to expand your palate and enjoy some delicious wines. See you there!
2023 Katsunuma Aruga Branca Clareza Koshu $28.94
Koshu is the most important grape for wine production in Japan and has been grown there for several centuries. It is rose colored and has thick skins to combat the moisture and humidity common in Japan. It is most associated with the Yamanashi prefecture, the center of Japanese wine production that sits at the base of Mount Fuji. Katsunuma was established in 1937 and is one of Japan's most prominent independent wine producers. They have been exclusively producing wine since 1973. This is the flagship wine of the Aruga family and is fermented in stainless steel and aged for six months in ceramic tanks. It has bright citrus aromas, perfect for sushi.
2017 Tchotiashvili Rkatsiteli $34.94
Georgia has one of the oldest winemaking traditions with evidence dating back to 6,000 BC. There are 37 authorized varieties for winemaking, but the most common white grape cultivated is Rkatsiteli. Georgia is known for its qvevri, clay amphora that is used for fermentation and aging in which the vessels are dug into the ground. Kakheti is the region in Georgia responsible for 80% of winemaking in the country. Tchotiashvili is a family run winery that has been making wine since the beginning of the 18th century. It is currently run by brothers Kakha and Ucha Tchotiashvili, the sixth generation. This is an Amber Wine, referring to extended skin contact and qvevri aging. The grapes spend six months on the skins, and the wine is fermented and aged in qvevri for two years.
2022 Trinity Canyon Vineyards 6100 $25.95
Trinity Canyon Vineyards was started in 2009 by a group of wine aficionados. It is located in the Vayots Dzor Highlands, close to the world's oldest wine producing site dating back 6100 years. The terroir is unique, located at high elevations on volcanic soil. Trinity Canyon is the first certified organic producer in Armenia, with their focus on environmentally friendly practices and respect for nature. They have a hands-off approach to winemaking while preserving ancient traditions of Armenia. This is 100% Areni Noir, an ancient Armenian grape indigenous to Vayots Dzor. It is red fruited and bright with delicate tannin. The grapes are destemmed and fermented in stainless steel and then aged for six months in Caucasian oak barrels.
2022 Baias Wine Gvantsas Aladasturi $33.94
Baia's Wine is a family winery currently run by sisters Baia and Gvantsa in Imereti, Georgia. Baia was 22 years old when she took over her family estate, bringing a young and fresh perspective. She received grants specifically for female winemakers which allowed her the funds to produce her first vintage in 2015. Alongside Kakheti, Imereti is the most important quality wine growing region in Georgia. It is bordered by mountains with elevations up to 500 meters and the humidity produces grape high in acid and low in sugar. This is the namesake bottling of Gvantsa, where the sisters cultivate the rare grape variety Aladasturi from their estate vineyards. It is aged in qvevri and is just 12% alcohol.
2022 Domaine Mie Ikeno Merlot $178.94
Mie Ikeno is considered one of the best winemakers in Japan. She originally was a well-respected journalist in Japan, but after spending some time with friends in Burgundy, she decided to follow her true calling of making wine. She studied oenology in France and worked in Burgundy for two years. Upon her return to Japan, she set up shop in the high elevations of the Yamanashi Prefecture, the most important wine region in Japan and the first official designated winegrowing area granted in 2013. She decided to plant Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Merlot. The grapes are grown on volcanic soil that is kept dry during monsoon season because of the surrounding mountains. The winery was constructed on the side of a mountain to allow gravity winemaking, decreasing the amount of power usage. She only produces 800 cases per year divided among the three grapes. This is her highly regarded Merlot from estate vineyards. It is fermented in stainless steel and aged for 15-18 months in French oak.
2020 Cradle of Wine Anaga Saperavi $25.94
Cradle of Wine is a winery located in Kakheti, Georgia, where the grape Saperavi is grown, the most planted red grape in Georgia. The "Anaga" bottling pays homage to the winemaking traditions of Georgia where Saperavi has been grown for centuries. The grapes are fermented with the skins and stems for five days and then aged in qvevri. The resulting wine is full bodied with black fruit and firm tannins.