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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Tilisma Winery Rosé Qvevri2022
- Regular price
- €11.94
- Sale price
- €11.94
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Winery Tilisma WineryVintages2022 / qnt.250Wine typeRose | Alc. 14.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – Velistsikhe · MukuzaniGrape Saperavi · Rkatsiteli · MtsvaneIn Stock 250 -
Tilisma Winery Rkatsiteli Qvevri2022
- Regular price
- €11.94
- Sale price
- €11.94
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Winery Tilisma WineryVintages2022 / qnt.500Wine typeAmber | Alc. 14.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – VelistsikheGrape RkatsiteliIn Stock 500 -
Tilisma Winery Pet Nat Saperavi2022
- Regular price
- €15.93
- Sale price
- €15.93
- Regular price
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Winery Tilisma WineryVintages2022 / qnt.300Wine typeSparkling Red | Alc. 12.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – MukuzaniGrape SaperaviIn Stock 300 -
Tilisma Winery Pet Nat Rosé2022
- Regular price
- €15.93
- Sale price
- €15.93
- Regular price
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Winery Tilisma WineryVintages2022 / qnt.200Wine typeSparkling Rose | Alc. 11.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – Velistsikhe · MukuzaniGrape Saperavi · Rkatsiteli · MtsvaneIn Stock 200 -
Tilisma Winery Pet Nat Kisi Khikhvi2022
- Regular price
- €15.93
- Sale price
- €15.93
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Winery Tilisma WineryVintages2022 / qnt.250Wine typeSparkling White | Alc. 10.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – VelistsikheGrape Kisi · Khikhvi · MtsvaneIn Stock 250 -
Tilisma Winery Pet Nat Mtsvane2022
- Regular price
- €15.93
- Sale price
- €15.93
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Winery Tilisma WineryVintages2022 / qnt.250Wine typeSparkling White | Alc. 11.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – VelistsikheGrape MtsvaneIn Stock 250 -
Spring Fields Lady of Drunkeness2022
- Regular price
- €13.67
- Sale price
- €13.67
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Winery Spring FieldsVintages2022 / qnt.50Wine typeSweet White | Alc. 16.0% | Vol. 500mlTerroir Kakheti – Sagarejo – Didi ChailuriGrape Muscaturi RkatsiteliIn Stock 50 -
Spring Fields Per Fame2023
- Regular price
- €17.59
- Sale price
- €17.59
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Winery Spring FieldsVintages2023 / qnt.18Wine typeSparkling White | Alc. 12.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Sagarejo – Didi ChailuriGrape Muscaturi RkatsiteliIn Stock 18 -
Spring Fields Muscaturi Rkatsiteli2023
- Regular price
- €11.72
- Sale price
- €11.72
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Winery Spring FieldsVintages2023 / qnt.1300Wine typeWhite | Alc. 10.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Sagarejo – Didi ChailuriGrape Muscaturi RkatsiteliIn Stock 1300 -
Anto Saperavi2023
- Regular price
- €13.71
- Sale price
- €13.71
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Winery AntoVintages2023 / qnt.700Wine typeRed | Alc. 13.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – AkhmetaGrape SaperaviIn Stock 700 -
Khvtisia Wine Pet Nat Rkatsiteli - Mtsvane2023
- Regular price
- €13.72
- Sale price
- €13.72
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Winery Khvtisia WineVintages2023 / qnt.200Wine typeSparkling White | Alc. 11.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Akhoebi PDO – KardanakhiGrape Rkatsiteli 70% · Mtsvane 30%In Stock 200 -
Khvtisia Wine Rkatsiteli No Skin2023
- Regular price
- €13.72
- Sale price
- €13.72
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Winery Khvtisia WineVintages2023 / qnt.200Wine typeWhite | Alc. 13.9% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – KardanakhiGrape RkatsiteliIn Stock 200 -
Khvtisia Wine Pet Nat Saperavi2023
- Regular price
- €13.72
- Sale price
- €13.72
- Regular price
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Winery Khvtisia WineVintages2023 / qnt.200Wine typeSparkling Rose | Alc. 11.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Akhoebi PDO – KardanakhiGrape SaperaviIn Stock 200 -
Khvtisia Wine Rkatsiteli20222021
- Regular price
- €11.76
- Sale price
- €11.76
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Winery Khvtisia WineVintages2022 / qnt.6002021 / qnt.800Wine typeAmber | Alc. 13.6% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – KardanakhiGrape RkatsiteliIn Stock 1400 -
Khvtisia Wine Saperavi202320222021
- Regular price
- €11.76
- Sale price
- €11.76
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Winery Khvtisia WineVintages2023 / qnt.5002022 / qnt.4002021 / qnt.1000Wine typeRed | Alc. 13.4% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Akhoebi PDO – KardanakhiGrape SaperaviIn Stock 1900 -
Tsero Wine Rkatsiteli2022
- Regular price
- €7.83
- Sale price
- €7.83
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Winery Tsero WineVintages2022 / qnt.110Wine typeAmber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – VazisubaniGrape RkatsiteliIn Stock 110 -
Qvevriseuli Kisi2022
- Regular price
- €10.58
- Sale price
- €10.58
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Winery QvevriseuliVintages2022 / qnt.400Wine typeAmber | Alc. 13.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Akhmeta – KistauriGrape KisiIn Stock 400 -
Qvevriseuli Rkatsiteli2020
- Regular price
- €7.84
- Sale price
- €7.84
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Winery QvevriseuliVintages2020 / qnt.400Wine typeAmber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Sagarejo – KakabetiGrape RkatsiteliIn Stock 400 -
Qvevriseuli Saperavi2021
- Regular price
- €9.80
- Sale price
- €9.80
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Winery QvevriseuliVintages2021 / qnt.400Wine typeRed | Alc. 13.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Sagarejo – KakabetiGrape SaperaviIn Stock 400 -
Ghvenakhe Kotsakhura202320222021
- Regular price
- €19.70
- Sale price
- €19.70
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Winery GhvenakheVintages2023 / qnt.20002022 / qnt.2602021 / qnt.250Wine typeAmber | Alc. 13.8% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Telavi – BushetiGrape Rkatsiteli 60% · Mtsvane 35% · Saperavi 5%In Stock 2510