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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Archil's Wine Kisi-Mtsvane Reserve2018
- Regular price
- €16.88
- Sale price
- €16.88
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Archil's WineVintages2018 / qnt.100Wine type
Amber | Alc. 14.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Telavi – ShalauriGrape Kisi 50% · Mtsvane 50%
In Stock 100 -
Archil's Wine Rkatsiteli2019
- Regular price
- €10.96
- Sale price
- €10.96
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Archil's WineVintages2019 / qnt.1000Wine type
Amber | Alc. 13.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Telavi – KurdghelauriGrape Rkatsiteli
In Stock 1000 -
Archil's Wine Rkatsiteli Reserve2018
- Regular price
- €16.88
- Sale price
- €16.88
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Archil's WineVintages2018 / qnt.120Wine type
Amber | Alc. 14.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Telavi – KurdghelauriGrape Rkatsiteli
In Stock 120 -
Lagvinari Saperavi2022
- Regular price
- €18.00
- Sale price
- €18.00
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery LagvinariVintages2022 / qnt.100Wine type
Red | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – KardanakhiGrape Saperavi
In Stock 100 -
Lagvinari Kisi - Khikhvi2022
- Regular price
- €18.00
- Sale price
- €18.00
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery LagvinariVintages2022 / qnt.100Wine type
Amber | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – AkhmetaGrape Kisi 70% · Khikhvi 30%
In Stock 100 -
Lagvinari Rkatsiteli202220212019
- Regular price
- €18.00
- Sale price
- €18.00
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery LagvinariVintages2022 / qnt.1002021 / qnt.1502019 / qnt.70Wine type
Amber | Alc. 12.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – Bakurtsikhe · KardanakhiGrape Rkatsiteli
In Stock 320 -
Lagvinari Mtsvane Kakhuri202220212020
- Regular price
- €18.00
- Sale price
- €18.00
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery LagvinariVintages2022 / qnt.1002021 / qnt.1002020 / qnt.250Wine type
Amber | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – AkhmetaGrape Mtsvane
In Stock 450 -
Levani's Marani Akhmeta Saperavi2019
- Regular price
- €15.22
- Sale price
- €15.22
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Levani's Marani AkhmetaVintages2019 / qnt.1200Wine type
Red | Alc. 15.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – AkhasheniGrape Saperavi
In Stock 1200 -
Levani's Marani Akhmeta Kakhuri Mtsvane20202019
- Regular price
- €12.50
- Sale price
- €12.50
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Levani's Marani AkhmetaVintages2020 / qnt.15002019 / qnt.1500Wine type
Amber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Akhmeta PDO – AlaverdiGrape Mtsvane
In Stock 3000 -
Levani's Marani Akhmeta Rkatsiteli2022
- Regular price
- €10.97
- Sale price
- €10.97
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Levani's Marani AkhmetaVintages2022 / qnt.2400Wine type
Amber | Alc. 13.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Akhmeta – AlaverdiGrape Rkatsiteli
In Stock 2400
Amber | Alc. 14.0% | Vol. 750ml
Red | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
