Saperavi
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Saperavi, the most widely planted grape in Georgia, has earned its place as a global ambassador for the country's viticultural heritage. This intensely pigmented red grape is renowned for crafting some of the nation's most celebrated wines. Anyone who has tried it at least once will never forget its vibrant flavor and inky, almost black color.
Name
Saperavi (or საფერავი in Georgian) translates as "dye" — and it is a fitting name for this grape variety with red pigmented juice and flesh that belongs to the unique category of teinturier grapes.
Origin
Saperavi is as ancient as the Georgian winemaking tradition itself. Believed to have originated in western Georgia, it has flourished nationwide for centuries. While there aren’t any written records to confirm, morphological features of the variety itself, like the colored pulp of the berry, the similarity to other aboriginal varieties, and a large number of specific types and clones of Saperavi in the territory of Georgia, indicate that the variety has been cultivated here for centuries in various terroirs. Professor Cholokashvili and Dr. N. Chakhnashvili, based on their study of flower characteristics in wild and cultivated varieties, even concluded that Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, and Chkhapa might represent a transitional stage between wild and domesticated grapes. These varieties are certainly among the oldest cultivated ones.
Viticulture
Saperavi, a remarkably resilient grape, provides quality even when the yield is high. Of all the varieties cultivated in Kakheti, it is the most resistant to powdery mildew and other fungal diseases. Saperavi is also very resistant to frost, which makes it an extremely suitable variety for regions with a continental climate and cold winters. However, it suffers greatly from phylloxera and is currently grown on rootstock almost everywhere, except for the old Georgian province of Saingilo (now the territory of Azerbaijan), where Saperavi and Rkatsiteli are still cultivated on their original roots.
Kakheti remains the heartland of Saperavi cultivation, with Kartli following behind. Outside Georgia, Saperavi is spread across the Caucasus region and along the Black Sea shores, primarily in former Soviet republics like Ukraine, Russia, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and even as far as Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. It has even ventured into vineyards across the globe, finding its place in the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Wine styles
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Dry Saperavi can be made using either the traditional method of fermentation in qvevri or the European method with subsequent aging in oak. Sometimes winemakers combine both methods to achieve a more complex aroma and soften the tannins. In cooler terroirs, it shines with vibrant acidity and notes of red berries, exuding elegance. Warmer climates yield bolder Saperavi, boasting deep color, rich dark fruit aromas, hints of spice, and robust tannins built for aging. Dry red Saperavi wines are produced throughout Georgia, but biggest part is in Kakheti with acclaimed vineyards found along the Alazani River: the most famous terroir and PDO Mukuzani, as well as the micro-zones of Tsinandali, Vazisubani, Gurjaani, Kardenakhi, and Bakurtsikhe. On the left bank, the best Saperavi can be found in the PDOs Napareuli and Kvareli.
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Semi-sweet Saperavi is mainly produced in Kakheti on the south-facing vineyards in the Kvareli Municipality (Kindzmarauli PDO). More balanced and elegant wines are obtained on the right bank of the Alazani River in the Akhasheni PDO. Saperavi's inherent acidity and tannins create a beautiful balance with the touch of residual sweetness. This makes semi-sweet wines a classic pairing for Georgian cuisine's rich, flavorful spices.
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Saperavi Rosé wines mostly range from dry to semi-dry. These light-bodied rosés burst with delicate floral and red berry aromas, complemented by pleasant acidity. Their hues range from the pale blush to near-ruby, showcasing the winemaker's touch. Saperavi Rosé provides a delightful alternative to heavier reds, especially during warmer weather.
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Sparkling Saperavi is quite often crafted by small, artisanal winemakers as red or rosé pét-nat. Expect light-bodied yet intensely aromatic and flavorful wines.
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Sweet Saperavi style lends beautifully the grape’s bold character. These wines are typically made using the late harvest method. Less frequently, they are produced as fortified wines in the style of Port. Both styles yielding wines that explode with blackcurrant and sweet spice aromas, with a luxurious richness on the palate balanced by tannins.
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Andrias Gvino Saperavi2022
- Regular price
- €9.99
- Sale price
- €9.99
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Winery Andrias GvinoVintages2022 / qnt.2000Wine type
Red | Alc. 14.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – AkhmetaGrape Saperavi
In Stock 2000 -
Eclipse Mtvaris Kotsna2020
- Regular price
- €28.79
- Sale price
- €28.79
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Winery EclipseVintages2020 / qnt.141Wine type
Red | Alc. 12.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Kvareli – ShildaGrape Saperavi
In Stock 141 -
Eclipse Pirimtvarisa2020
- Regular price
- €24.05
- Sale price
- €24.05
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Winery EclipseVintages2020 / qnt.1607Wine type
Red | Alc. 12.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Kvareli – ShildaGrape Saperavi
In Stock 1607 -
Darsa Saperavi2022
- Regular price
- €11.85
- Sale price
- €11.85
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Winery EclipseVintages2022 / qnt.685Wine type
Red | Alc. 13.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Akhmeta – OzhioGrape Saperavi
In Stock 685 -
Eclipse Esabi Noble2021
- Regular price
- €10.84
- Sale price
- €10.84
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Winery EclipseVintages2021 / qnt.2438Wine type
Red | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Kvareli – SanavardoGrape Saperavi
In Stock 2438 -
Eclipse Esabi2021
- Regular price
- €8.47
- Sale price
- €8.47
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Winery EclipseVintages2021 / qnt.2438Wine type
Red | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Kvareli – ShildaGrape Saperavi
In Stock 2438 -
Eclipse Felicita2022
- Regular price
- €8.47
- Sale price
- €8.47
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Winery EclipseVintages2022 / qnt.3203Wine type
Semi Dry
Rose | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Kvareli – SanavardoGrape SaperaviIn Stock 3203 -
Eclipse Feliz2021
- Regular price
- €8.47
- Sale price
- €8.47
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Winery EclipseVintages2021 / qnt.381Wine type
Rose | Alc. 12.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Kvareli – SanavardoGrape Saperavi
In Stock 381 -
Kitesa's Wine Saperavi2022
- Regular price
- €10.16
- Sale price
- €10.16
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Winery Kitesa's WineVintages2022 / qnt.500Wine type
Red | Alc. 14.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – VazisubaniGrape Saperavi
In Stock 500 -
Flavor of Tibaani Saperavi2023
- Regular price
- €6.49
- Sale price
- €6.49
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Winery Flavor of TibaaniVintages2023 / qnt.400Wine type
Red | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – VelistsikheGrape Saperavi
In Stock 400 -
KateWine Saperavi2020
- Regular price
- €7.00
- Sale price
- €7.00
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Winery KateWineVintages2020 / qnt.1500Wine type
Red | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Kvareli – GremiGrape Saperavi
In Stock 1500 -
Ruispiri Estate Saperavi Special Reserve2016
- Regular price
- €33.52
- Sale price
- €33.52
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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
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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
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Winery Ruispiri EstateVintages2020 / qnt.16002021 / qnt.1800Wine type
Red | Alc. 13.6% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Telavi – RuispiriGrape Saperavi
In Stock 3400 -
Nikifore Mukuzani2021
- Regular price
- €8.42
- Sale price
- €8.42
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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
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Winery NikiforeVintages2021 / qnt.600Wine type
Red | Alc. 14.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Saperavi Khashmi PDOGrape Saperavi
In Stock 600 -
Villa Chven Aleksandrouli Saperavi2022
- Regular price
- €18.51
- Sale price
- €18.51
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Winery Villa ChvenVintages2022 / qnt.550Wine type
Red | Alc. 14.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Racha – Ambrolauri – ZhoshkhaGrape Aleksandrouli 75% · Saperavi 25%
In Stock 550 -
Ozhio Estate Saperavi Qvevri Reserve2022
- Regular price
- €13.33
- Sale price
- €13.33
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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
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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
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Winery AvandiVintages2022 / qnt.62Wine type
Red | Alc. 13.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Akhoebi PDO – KardanakhiGrape Saperavi
In Stock 62
Red | Alc. 14.0% | Vol. 750ml
Semi Dry
Rose | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
