A great introduction to Kisi, one of Georgia’s historic white varieties, the 2022 from Pheasant’s Tears is textured, savoury and quietly complex. Fermented and aged in traditional qvevri, it shows notes of dried citrus, stone fruit, wild herbs and a gentle tea like grip. There’s a subtle tannin structure running through it, balanced by freshness and a lightly earthy, spiced finish. It sits somewhere between white and orange wine, more about texture and savoury detail than overt fruit.

Pheasant’s Tears is a leading name in Georgia’s natural wine movement, founded by John Wurdeman and Gela Patalishvili. Working with organic farming and traditional methods, the wines are made in qvevri buried underground, following techniques that date back thousands of years. The focus is on native grape varieties and minimal intervention, resulting in wines that are expressive, distinctive and deeply connected to Georgia’s winemaking heritage.