August Wine Club

Bora Tier

Wine Thieves Mtsvane – A Taste of Kakheti’s Green Jewel

Pronounced Mits-vahn-ee, Mtsvane is one of Georgia’s most celebrated white grape varieties, hailing from the sun-drenched Kakheti region in the country’s east. Its name, meaning “green” in Georgian, refers to the golden-green hue of the ripe berries. This early-ripening, thin-skinned grape thrives in warm valleys, producing wines with vibrant freshness and generous aromatics.

The Wine Thieves Mtsvane comes from the village of Ozhio in the Akhmeta PDO, a region gaining acclaim for its distinctive terroir and dedication to quality. Akhmeta’s diverse soils and climate in the Alazani Valley allow for a broad range of styles—from crisp, dry whites to richly textured amber wines made in traditional qvevri clay vessels. While some producers embrace ancient winemaking, this bottling takes a modern approach, fermented and matured entirely in stainless steel to preserve purity and freshness.

In the glass, this Mtsvane offers a captivating nose of fresh herbs, bay leaf, orchard fruit, and a hint of grassy brightness. The palate layers crisp apple, rosemary, pineapple, and even a savory whisper reminiscent of chicken stock, creating a wine that’s both refreshing and intriguingly complex.

Perfect alongside roasted chicken or herbaceous soups, it also makes a natural match for fans of Grüner Veltliner or Sauvignon Blanc. Whether you’re a Georgian wine enthusiast or just beginning to explore the country’s offerings, Wine Thieves Mtsvane is a lively, expressive introduction to one of its most versatile grapes—and a reminder that Kakheti’s green jewel is shining brighter than ever. Marbano Chinuri – A Crisp Classic from Kartli

Pronounced Mahr-bawn-oh Chin-oo-ree, Chinuri is one of Georgia’s most distinctive white grape varieties, treasured for its naturally high acidity and late ripening. Grown primarily in the Kartli region, Chinuri plays a vital role in both still and sparkling wine production, often lending freshness and complexity to blends. But in Marbano Chinuri, this grape takes the spotlight in its purest form.

The fruit comes from the Bolnisi PDO, an emerging subregion of Kartli that’s earning praise for its diverse terroir and quality-focused winemaking. Bolnisi is known for producing a wide range of wines—from crisp dry whites to deep, amber-toned skin-contact wines. The vineyards in the village of Samtredo enjoy a unique microclimate, giving the grapes vibrant acidity and a clean, expressive profile.

Crafted in the traditional Georgian way, this wine is fermented and aged in qvevri, the ancient clay vessels that allow for gentle oxygenation and nuanced development. In the glass, Marbano Chinuri is straw-colored with subtle green reflections. The nose offers a charming mix of honey, anise, and fresh apple, while the palate delivers pear, lemon, and almond notes. Its lively acidity and cheerful finish make it a refreshing choice year-round.

Food pairings are wonderfully versatile—think pasta with fresh herbs, grilled fish, bright salads, or even tender pork dishes. If you enjoy skin-contact Viura or Macabeo, Marbano Chinuri will feel both familiar and exciting.

Elegant yet approachable, this wine captures the spirit of Kartli’s winemaking tradition while highlighting the potential of one of Georgia’s most underappreciated white grapes. Le Mistral We are so excited about this month's picks! We have one hyper local winemaker, one from India and one from Japan! You can find more selections from all of these winemakers on the shelves at The Breeze. Good Pain Wine Co. Gewürztraminer – A Bold Expression from Rogue Valley but made for the Kentucky Commonwealth.

Good Pain Wine Co., founded by Louisville-native winemaker Faith Parsons, crafts wines that celebrate resilience and transformation. Based in Southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley AVA, this project reflects Faith’s belief that the most meaningful rewards often emerge from hardship. The name “Good Pain” encapsulates that ethos—just as grapevines endure struggle to produce fruit, we grow through our own trials to create something beautiful.

This Gewürztraminer captures the Rogue Valley’s unique climate: warm, sun-drenched days balanced by cool mountain breezes. The result is a wine with vivid aromatics, crisp acidity, and expressive personality.

In the glass, this Gewürztraminer shows what the variety does best: aromatic complexity. Think lychee, rose petals, tropical fruits and spice—even in dry expressions, its perfume often reads as sweet. The palate tends toward medium-full body with low to moderate acidity, balanced by ripe fruit and floral notes.

Food pairings bring out the wine’s best side: dishes with spice, aromatic herbs, or rich, bold flavors complement it beautifully. Try it with Southeast Asian dishes, spicy curries, smoked salmon, tangy cheeses, or tartes flambée.

Elegant yet unapologetically expressive, Good Pain Wine Co. Gewürztraminer is a bottle that embraces its bold aromatics while inviting you to reflect—on the journey both vine and person take to ripen into something extraordinary. Grover Zampa Soirée Brut 2019 – India’s Sparkling Elegance

Grover Zampa Vineyards, founded in 1988 by Kanwal Grover in Karnataka, India, has grown into one of the country’s premier wine producers, with Michel Rolland as chief winemaker and vineyards spanning Nandi Hills and Nashik. Among their shining creations is the Soirée Brut, a sparkling Chenin Blanc that exudes both charm and craftsmanship.

The 2019 vintage of Soirée Brut was produced using the traditional method and features 100 % Chenin Blanc, un-oaked and made using the tank method with a brut dosage—creating a fresh, youthful expression with lively bubbles . In the glass, it shows a pale straw hue and unfurls a refined nose of floral notes, fresh lemon, toasted brioche, and white pear The palate is light yet creamy, boasting clean citrus, crisp acidity, fine bead texture, and a dry, persistent finish—classic brut style with finesse

Aptly served as an aperitif, Soirée Brut can elevate a festive moment or celebration. It pairs beautifully with mildly spiced Indian curries, delicate Japanese or Thai dishes, and lighter Chinese fare—its effervescence cleaning the palate while complementing aromatic spices.

Fresh, elegant, and delightfully versatile, Grover Zampa Soirée Brut 2019 showcases what makes Indian sparkling wines exciting—a touch of tradition, bright aromatics, and global ambition in every sip. Grape Republic Bianco 2022 – Japan’s Fresh White Expression

Grape Republic was founded by sommelier-turned-vigneron Kazuomi Fujimaki, who left Tokyo in 2015 to plant roots in the Yamagata Prefecture, specifically in the village of Shinden. This bold move birthed a vision: revive neglected vineyards and usher in a new era of terroir-driven, natural wines in Japan.

The Bianco 2022 is a white blend, composed of Delaware (90%) and Niagara (10%), both sourced organically from Yamagata's granite- and schist-rich soils. Some of the Delaware grapes undergo 24-hour skin contact, while the Niagara grapes see 12-hour contact, followed by fermentation and seven months aging in stainless steel. The wine is then bottled unfined, unfiltered, with no added sulfites — a truly natural and transparent expression.

In the glass, Bianco 2022 offers a lightly hazy, honey-tinged straw color and presents a finely balanced personality: tropical fruit—including Japanese pear—meets refreshing acidity, with a subtle saline undercurrent and soft, approachable tannins. The palate finishes with a lingering hint of youthful herbs, emphasizing freshness and finesse.

This wine's crisp, aromatic character makes it ideal for pairing with root vegetables, winter squashes, fresh salads, grilled seafood, or simple pork dishes—any dish that benefits from lively brightness and gentle complexity.

Elegant, expressive, and perfectly textured—Grape Republic Bianco 2022 is a graceful ambassador for Japanese natural wine, showcasing both Fujimaki’s passion and the quiet magic of Yamagata’s terroir.