Kakheti
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Kakheti is the most important wine region in Georgia in every sense. It has the biggest number of wineries, appellations of origin, diverse styles and terroirs. It is the birthplace of the Kakhetian winemaking method, recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.
And what a heritage it is. Archaeological excavations confirm that grapes have been cultivated in Kakheti for at least 7,000 years. In 2012, archaeologists discovered clay vessels dating back to 5000 BC in the village of Dzegvi. Over the centuries, local winegrowers have fought to preserve and prosper their vines, and today, Kakheti's vineyards account for 65% of the total number of vineyards in Georgia and produce 80% of the country's wine volume.
Perhaps the most iconic wines for the region are amber wines made from white grapes fermented with the skin, which gives them a signature color, aroma, and rich tannic taste for those who try them for the first time.
Terroir Features
Kakheti terroir is exceptionally diverse. In this large region in the east of Georgia, vineyards are grown on the plains along the Alazani River and partly right terraces of the Iori River, on the hills, and in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains. Thus, there is a great diversity of soils and climatic features in each micro-zone of Kakheti, and the sheer variety of wines produced is outstanding.
Kakheti is quite distant from the Black Sea, so it experiences a transient continental climate characterized by a relatively dry and hot summer and most precipitation falling during winter. Most of Kakheti's vineyards are 200–750 meters above sea level. The prevailing soil type is black brown, humus-like, reddish-colored, calcareous clay with high iron content. All of it contributes a depth of flavor and rustic, earthy notes to the local wines.
The Kakhetian Method
The traditional Kakhetian winemaking method involves fermenting both white and red grape must in qvevris, large clay vessels, with the skins and stems of the grapes. The skins give the wine a rich and complex aroma, while the stems add structure and tannins. During fermentation, the must and pomace are regularly mixed, but after the skins, seeds, and stems settle to the bottom, the qvevris are sealed with a lid and left untouched for about 6 months until spring or even longer, depending on the winemaker's decision.
Districts & Micro-zones (PDOs)
Kakheti is divided into several municipalities, with 20 designated micro-zones with PDO status (European Union certification of Protected Designation of Origin) —more than in any other region of the country.
While wines made using the Kakhetian method are the calling card of the region and are produced everywhere, some PDOs specialize in wines made using the European method, such as Tsinandali for whites and Teliani for reds.
List of PDOs
- Akhashenisemi-sweet red
- Akhmetadry, semidry, semisweet white
- Akhoebidry red
- Gurjaanidry white
- Kakheti (Kakhuri)white, amber, rose, red with
- Kardanakhidry amber or fortified white
- Kindzmaraulisemi-sweet red
Main grape varieties
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KateWine Rkatsiteli2020
- Regular price
- €7.00
- Sale price
- €7.00
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery KateWineVintages2020 / qnt.2000Wine type
Amber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Telavi – SanioreGrape Rkatsiteli
In Stock 2000 -
KateWine Kisi2020
- Regular price
- €7.78
- Sale price
- €7.78
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery KateWineVintages2020 / qnt.1500Wine type
Amber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Telavi – SanioreGrape Kisi
In Stock 1500 -
Ruispiri Estate Alexauri Kisi2022
- Regular price
- €9.38
- Sale price
- €9.38
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Ruispiri EstateVintages2022 / qnt.5500Wine type
White | Alc. 12.4% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Telavi – RuispiriGrape KisiIn Stock 5500 -
Ruispiri Estate Alexauri Rkatsiteli2022
- Regular price
- €8.38
- Sale price
- €8.38
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Ruispiri EstateVintages2022 / qnt.6500Wine type
White | Alc. 13.4% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Telavi – RuispiriGrape RkatsiteliIn Stock 6500 -
Ruispiri Estate Rkatsiteli Mtsvane Qvevri2021
- Regular price
- €11.73
- Sale price
- €11.73
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Ruispiri EstateVintages2021 / qnt.2000Wine type
Amber | Alc. 12.6% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Signagi – TibaaniGrape Rkatsiteli 70% · Mtsvane 30%
In Stock 2000 -
Ruispiri Estate Rkatsiteli Qvevri2020
- Regular price
- €11.73
- Sale price
- €11.73
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Ruispiri EstateVintages2020 / qnt.2800Wine type
Amber | Alc. 12.6% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Signagi – TibaaniGrape Rkatsiteli
In Stock 2800 -
Ruispiri Estate Saperavi Special Reserve2016
- Regular price
- €33.52
- Sale price
- €33.52
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Ruispiri EstateVintages2016 / qnt.300Wine type
Red | Alc. 14.2% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Signagi – TibaaniGrape Saperavi
In Stock 300 -
Ruispiri Estate Janaani Saperavi2022
- Regular price
- €11.73
- Sale price
- €11.73
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Ruispiri EstateVintages2022 / qnt.7500Wine type
Red | Alc. 13.1% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Telavi – JanaaniGrape Saperavi
In Stock 7500 -
Ruispiri Estate Saperavi Reserve20202021
- Regular price
- €15.08
- Sale price
- €15.08
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Ruispiri EstateVintages2020 / qnt.16002021 / qnt.1800Wine type
Red | Alc. 13.6% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Telavi – RuispiriGrape Saperavi
In Stock 3400 -
Nikifore Kisi2021
- Regular price
- €8.42
- Sale price
- €8.42
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery NikiforeVintages2021 / qnt.700Wine type
Amber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – VazisubaniGrape KisiIn Stock 700 -
Nikifore Mukuzani2021
- Regular price
- €8.42
- Sale price
- €8.42
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery NikiforeVintages2021 / qnt.1400Wine type
Red | Alc. 15.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Mukuzani PDOGrape Saperavi
In Stock 1400 -
Nikifore Khashmi Saperavi2021
- Regular price
- €10.11
- Sale price
- €10.11
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery NikiforeVintages2021 / qnt.600Wine type
Red | Alc. 14.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Saperavi Khashmi PDOGrape Saperavi
In Stock 600 -
Ozhio Estate Mtsvane Qvevri2022
- Regular price
- €11.22
- Sale price
- €11.22
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Ozhio EstateVintages2022 / qnt.1500Wine type
Amber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Akhmeta – OzhioGrape Mtsvane
In Stock 1500 -
Ozhio Estate Kisi Qvevri2022
- Regular price
- €11.22
- Sale price
- €11.22
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Ozhio EstateVintages2022 / qnt.1500Wine type
Amber | Alc. 11.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Akhmeta – OzhioGrape Kisi
In Stock 1500 -
Ozhio Estate Kisi Qvevri Reserve2022
- Regular price
- €13.33
- Sale price
- €13.33
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Ozhio EstateVintages2022 / qnt.2000Wine type
Amber | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Akhmeta – OzhioGrape Kisi
In Stock 2000 -
Ozhio Estate Saperavi Qvevri Reserve2022
- Regular price
- €13.33
- Sale price
- €13.33
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Ozhio EstateVintages2022 / qnt.4000Wine type
Red | Alc. 13.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Akhmeta – OzhioGrape Saperavi
In Stock 4000 -
Avandi Adamati Kindzmarauli2022
- Regular price
- €4.95
- Sale price
- €4.95
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery AvandiVintages2022 / qnt.218Wine type
Semi Sweet
Red | Alc. 11.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Kindzmarauli PDOGrape Saperavi
In Stock 218 -
Avandi Akhoebi2022
- Regular price
- €6.52
- Sale price
- €6.52
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery AvandiVintages2022 / qnt.62Wine type
Red | Alc. 13.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Akhoebi PDO – KardanakhiGrape Saperavi
In Stock 62 -
Avandi Saperavi Qvevri2022
- Regular price
- €5.94
- Sale price
- €5.94
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery AvandiVintages2022 / qnt.208Wine type
Red | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – TelaviGrape Saperavi
In Stock 208 -
Avandi Mukuzani Reserve2022
- Regular price
- €8.67
- Sale price
- €8.67
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery AvandiVintages2022 / qnt.5363Wine type
Red | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Mukuzani PDO – MukuzaniGrape Saperavi
In Stock 5363
Amber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
White | Alc. 12.4% | Vol. 750ml
Red | Alc. 14.2% | Vol. 750ml
