MENAT Ji Jian 2020

Country: Italy

Region: Calabria

Type: Red Wine

Grape: Gaglioppo

After years dedicated to the importation of Georgian artisanal wines and the selection of coffee and other products in Latin America, Nicola moved to Mexico, where a longtime friend, Michele, visited him and proposed that they reorganize Michele's grandfather's winery and vineyards, located in San Nicola dell'Alto, in the Ionian part of Calabria. The two began to work to create a real ‘marani’ (Georgian-style cellar) in the country, and the MENAT project was born, with the first vintage 2018.

Nicola and Michele of MENAT maintain a strict philosophy about their project, how the wines are made, where they distributed and how they are written about. The philosophy of winemaking learned in Georgia and the decision to follow biodynamic farming are the basis for the project. Menat currently produces four wines, characterized by  freshness and drinkability. They use no additives, including sulfur, maintain a fully biodynamic practice, and use imported Georgian Kvevri.

The grapes for Ji Jian come from the Fragala cru, at 450m high, a sapling plant facing north. Spontaneous fermentation (as for all MENAT wines) in amphora. Zero sulfur dioxide throughout the winemaking and bottling process. Beautiful pale brick red color with balsamic aromatics, notes of blood orange, anise, and mint. Lined with a silky layer of tannins.