“A great Saperavi is shockingly good: no other words will do.”
“Georgian Wines: Older and Wiser,” Financial Times
Appellations
Protected Designations of Origin
Georgia has adopted the European Union’s regulatory structure defining wines linked to a specific place. To date, Georgia has registered 24 Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) wine appellations. The majority of these lie in the eastern part of the country; see the chart below for associated regions and wine styles.
PDO | Region | Main Wine Styles |
---|---|---|
Eastern Georgia | ||
Akhasheni | Kakheti | Semisweet red |
Akhmeta | Kakheti | Dry white, semidry white, semisweet white, dry amber |
Akhoebi | Kakheti | Dry red |
Gurjaani | Kakheti | Dry white |
Kakheti | Kakheti | Dry white, amber |
Kardenakhi | Kakheti | Fortified white (sweet amber) |
Kindzmarauli | Kakheti | Semisweet red |
Kotekhi | Kakheti | Dry red, dry white |
Kvareli | Kakheti | Dry red |
Manavi | Kakheti | Dry white |
Mukuzani | Kakheti | Dry red |
Napareuli | Kakheti | Dry white, dry red |
Saperavi Khashmi | Kakheti | Dry red |
Teliani | Kakheti | Dry red |
Tibaani | Kakheti | Dry white, amber |
Tsarapi | Kakheti | Dry amber |
Tsinandali | Kakheti | Dry white |
Vazisubani | Kakheti | Dry white |
Central Georgia | ||
Atenuri (or Ateni) | Kartli | Sparkling white |
Bolnisi | Kartli | Dry white, dry red, dry amber |
Western Georgia | ||
Khvanchkara | Racha | Semisweet red |
Salkhino Ojaleshi | Samegrelo | Dry red |
Sviri | Imereti | Dry white |
Tvishi | Lechkhumi | Dry to semisweet white |
Eastern PDO's
Akhasheni
A naturally semisweet red wine made from Saperavi grapes. Noted for its dark pomegranate color, harmonious taste, velvety sweetness, fruit tones, and varietal aromas.
Akhmeta
White and amber wines. The white wines, made exclusively from Kakhuri Mtsvane grapes, can be dry (characterized by a light straw color, delicate taste, floral aromas, and fruit tones that develop with aging); naturally semidry (characterized by a light greenish-gold color, harmonious taste, and floral aromas); or naturally semisweet (similar to the semidry in appearance and aroma but with a higher sugar content). The amber is a dry wine made from Kakhuri Mtsvane grapes, though it may include up to 15% Kisi and/or Khikhvi grapes; it is noted for its medium to dark amber color, energetic and extracted bouquet, and moderate tannins. This PDO is sometimes called Akhmetis Mtsvane.
Akhoebi
A dry red wine made from Saperavi or Saperavi Budeshuri grapes. Characterized by its dark red color, round, harmonious taste, and intensely fruity bouquet.
Gurjaani
A dry, full-bodied white wine produced from Rkatsiteli grapes. Characterized by a light straw color, harmonious, refined, and full-bodied taste with varietal-specific aromas and a well-developed bouquet.
Kakheti
A dry white wine made from Rkatsiteli and Kakhetian Mtsvane grapes, fermented with the must. Noted for its amber color, fruit aromas, and velvety bouquet.
Kardenakhi
A fortified white wine produced when crushed grapes of the Rkatsiteli, Khikhvi, and Kakhuri Mtsvane varieties are left behind during the fermentation process. Characterized by its amber color, varietal-specific aromas, and honey fragrance.
Kindzmarauli
A naturally semisweet red wine made of Saperavi grapes. Characterized by a dark garnet color and full, velvety fruit tones.
Kotekhi
Dry white and dry red wines. The white wine is made from Rkatsiteli grapes and is characterized by its light straw color, varietal-specific aromas, and pleasant taste. The red wine, made from Saperavi grapes, is characterized by its noteworthy red color, varietal aromas, and pleasantly velvety taste.
Kvareli
A dry red wine made from Saperavi grapes, with complete fermentation with the must. Characterized by its dark red color, varietal aromas, balance, and distinctive bouquet.
Manavi
A dry white wine made of Mtsvane grapes, though it may include up to 15% Rkatsiteli grapes. Characterized by its light to medium straw color with a greenish tint, its gentle taste, and its harmonious and delicate fruity tones.
Mukuzani
A dry red wine made with Saperavi grapes. Characterized by its dark pomegranate color; full-bodied taste; harmonious, velvety, delicate, well-expressed varietal aromas and bouquet; and high-extract flavors.
Napareuli
Dry white and dry red wines. The white wine is made from Rkatsiteli grapes and is characterized by its light straw color, well-defined bouquet, and wildflower notes. The red wine is made from Saperavi grapes and is distinguished by its dark red color, varietal-specific aromas, and well-developed, velvety bouquet.
Saperavi Khashmi
A dry red wine made with Saperavi grapes. Noted for its dark red color, full-bodied character, velvety and harmonious tones, and distinctly expressed varietal aromas.
Teliani
A dry red wine made with Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Characterized by a dark red color, pure varietal-specific aromas, and a spicy, harmonious, well-developed bouquet.
Tibaani
A dry white wine made with Rkatsiteli grapes. Characterized by its dark amber color, well-defined and extracted bouquet, velvety taste, and raisin tones.
Tsarapi
A dry amber wine made from Rkatsiteli grapes, though it may include up to 15% Kakhuri Mtsvane or Khikhvi grapes. Noted for its medium to dark amber color, richly expressive taste, and intense aromas.
Tsinandali
A dry white wine made from Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane grape varieties. Characterized by a light straw color, harmonious, refined bouquet, and distinct varietal aromas.
Vazisubani
A dry, completely fermented white wine made from Rkatsiteli and Kakhetian Mtsvane grapes. Characterized by a light straw color, harmonious taste, and cheerful, well-developed floral bouquet.
Central PDO's
Atenuri
A white sparkling wine produced from Chinuri and Gori Mtsvane grape varieties. Characterized by its straw color, harmonious taste, fruity tones, and energetic flavor.
Bolnisi
Dry white, dry red, and dry amber wines. The white wine is made from Rkatsiteli, Chinuri, and Goruli Mtsvane grape varieties and is light beige in color with soft, harmonious flavors, wildflower notes, and an expressive fruity bouquet. The red wine is produced from Saperavi, Tavkveri, Shavkapito, and Asuretuli Shavi grape varieties and is bold, velvety, and harmonious, with an expressive, fruity bouquet. The amber wine is made from Rkatsiteli, Chinuri, and Goruli Mtsvane grape varieties and is complex and expressive, with energetic, extractive fruit tones and a velvety, well-developed bouquet.
Western PDO's
Khvanchkara
A naturally semisweet (off-dry) red wine made from Aleksandreuli and Mujuretuli grapes. Characterized by a dark red color and harmonious, velvety taste, with distinctive fruit tones and varietal aromas.
Salkhino Ojaleshi
A dry red wine made from Ojaleshi grapes. Characterized by its dark garnet color, fine structure, extracted fruit notes, and expressive bouquet that reflects its subtropical microzone.
Sviri
A dry white wine made from Tsolikouri and Tsitska grapes. Characterized by a dark straw color with a yellowish tint, fruity tones, and extracted fruit bouquet.
Tvishi
A dry to semisweet white wine made from Tsolikouri grapes. Light straw to straw in color, with a delicate, tender taste, fruity tones, and distinct varietal aromas.