Wine Variety: Saperavi is clearly an ancient grape variety, since there are numerous clones in existence. This is the red grape of Georgia, in the language of which country its name translates as "dye"; this explains its usage as a blending agent for colouring other Georgian wines.

Wine Region: We’re in the cradle of global wine production here, where archaeologists have unearthed wineries demonstrably 8,000 years old. It’s clear that wine growing and drinking has been a part of Georgian culture for many, many centuries. And it is a country of a myriad climates and terroirs producing a wide range of wine styles from a slew of indigenous grapes. Most recently, the country has escaped the yoke of soviet control, a period during which high-yielding vine varieties were prioritised (volume rather than quality being necessitated by the USSR market) and its wineries are again concentrating of producing high-quality wines, many of which are made in large, subterranean clay vessels called qvevri.

Wine Producer: Vachnadziani was established in 1953 and is one of the oldest wineries in Georgia. During the Soviet years the vineyard fell into disrepair, but now the vineyards and cellars have received considerable investment. The aim is to preserve their ancient wine culture while combining it with cutting edge technology. With over 1,000 hectares of vineyard, covering the Kakheti region in eastern Georgia and the Imereti, Racha and Lechkhumi regions in western Georgia, Vachnadziani cultivates 25 vine varieties - the majority of which are indigenous. 

  Featured as Wine of the Week on JoannaSimon.com, 30/01/2020