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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Orta Mtsvane Qvevri2023
- Regular price
- €9.80
- Sale price
- €9.80
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Winery OrtaVintages2023 / qnt.1000Wine typeWhite | Alc. 12.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Telavi – ShalauriGrape MtsvaneIn Stock 1000 -
Orta Mtsvane2023
- Regular price
- €9.80
- Sale price
- €9.80
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Winery OrtaVintages2023 / qnt.288Wine typeWhite | Alc. 12.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Telavi – ShalauriGrape MtsvaneIn Stock 288 -
Orta Jgia Rose2023
- Regular price
- €11.76
- Sale price
- €11.76
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Winery OrtaVintages2023 / qnt.500Wine typeRose | Alc. 12.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Telavi – ShalauriGrape ZhghiaIn Stock 500 -
Zhuka-Sano Wine 3/472022
- Regular price
- €11.78
- Sale price
- €11.78
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Winery Zhuka-Sano WineVintages2022 / qnt.0Wine typeRose | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Telavi – RuispiriGrape Rkatsiteli 94% · Ikaltos Tsiteli 6%Sold Out -
Zhuka-Sano Wine Mistake2022
- Regular price
- €11.78
- Sale price
- €11.78
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Winery Zhuka-Sano WineVintages2022 / qnt.0Wine typeAmber | Alc. 12.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Telavi – RuispiriGrape Rkatsiteli 90% · Ikaltos Tsiteli 10%Sold Out -
Tales Wine Kakhuri Mtsvane2021
- Regular price
- €6.14
- Sale price
- €6.14
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Winery Tales WineVintages2021 / qnt.2000Wine typeAmber | Alc. 13.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Kvareli – ZinobianiGrape MtsvaneIn Stock 2000 -
Tales Wine Khikhvi2022
- Regular price
- €8.83
- Sale price
- €8.83
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Winery Tales WineVintages2022 / qnt.1500Wine typeAmber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Kvareli – AkhalsopeliGrape KhikhviIn Stock 1500 -
Tales Wine Kisi2022
- Regular price
- €7.68
- Sale price
- €7.68
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Winery Tales WineVintages2022 / qnt.1500Wine typeAmber | Alc. 14.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Kvareli – Zinobiani · AkhalsopeliGrape KisiIn Stock 1500 -
Tales Wine Saperavi2021
- Regular price
- €6.91
- Sale price
- €6.91
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Winery Tales WineVintages2021 / qnt.2000Wine typeRed | Alc. 13.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Kvareli – ZinobianiGrape SaperaviIn Stock 2000 -
Bostogana Saperavi2022
- Regular price
- €9.22
- Sale price
- €9.22
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Winery BostoganaVintages2022 / qnt.3952Wine typeRed | Alc. 14.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Signagi – TibaaniGrape SaperaviIn Stock 3952 -
Bostogana Kisi2021
- Regular price
- €9.99
- Sale price
- €9.99
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Winery BostoganaVintages2021 / qnt.3952Wine typeAmber | Alc. 14.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Signagi – TibaaniGrape KisiIn Stock 3952 -
Bostogana Rkatsiteli2022
- Regular price
- €8.44
- Sale price
- €8.44
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Winery BostoganaVintages2022 / qnt.4000Wine typeAmber | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Tibaani PDO – TibaaniGrape RkatsiteliIn Stock 4000 -
Janiashvili Estate Mtsvane2023
- Regular price
- €9.59
- Sale price
- €9.59
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Winery Janiashvili EstateVintages2023 / qnt.1000Wine typeAmber | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – KalauriGrape MtsvaneIn Stock 1000 -
Dano Winery Nona's Sunny wine2022
- Regular price
- €7.49
- Sale price
- €7.49
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Winery Dano WineryVintages2022 / qnt.0Wine typeAmber | Alc. 13.4% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Signagi – KhornabujiGrape Rkatsiteli · Grdzelmtevana · Mtsvane · BueraSold Out -
Dano Winery Khornabuji Qvevri Rkatsiteli2022
- Regular price
- €7.49
- Sale price
- €7.49
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Winery Dano WineryVintages2022 / qnt.0Wine typeAmber | Alc. 13.1% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Signagi – KhornabujiGrape RkatsiteliSold Out -
Janiashvili Estate Saperavi2022
- Regular price
- €9.60
- Sale price
- €9.60
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Winery Janiashvili EstateVintages2022 / qnt.1500Wine typeRed | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – KalauriGrape SaperaviIn Stock 1500 -
Janiashvili Estate Khikhvi2023
- Regular price
- €9.60
- Sale price
- €9.60
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Winery Janiashvili EstateVintages2023 / qnt.1500Wine typeAmber | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – KalauriGrape KhikhviIn Stock 1500 -
Janiashvili Estate Rkatsiteli2022
- Regular price
- €7.68
- Sale price
- €7.68
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Janiashvili EstateVintages2022 / qnt.1000Wine typeAmber | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – KalauriGrape RkatsiteliIn Stock 1000 -
Gebrale Budeshuri Tetri - Kisi2022
- Regular price
- €9.71
- Sale price
- €9.71
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Winery GebraleVintages2022 / qnt.800Wine typeAmber | Alc. 14.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – VachnadzianiGrape Budeshuri Tetri 60% · Kisi 40%In Stock 800 -
Gebrale Chitistvala2022
- Regular price
- €10.87
- Sale price
- €10.87
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Winery GebraleVintages2022 / qnt.100Wine typeAmber | Alc. 11.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – VachnadzianiGrape ChitistvalaIn Stock 100