Kakheti

The Alazani Valley and surrounding slopes provide a setting for many of Georgia’s best-known wine names. Saperavi is the red grape to recognise, while Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane, Kisi and Khikhvi offer several routes into the whites. Different protected origins within Kakheti identify more specific places and wine styles.

Qvevri describes a clay vessel and a winemaking tradition, not a grape or a sweetness level. Kakhetian whites may be made with prolonged skin contact, giving amber colour and tannin, or by other methods for a paler result. Likewise, Saperavi can appear in dry wines or named naturally sweet styles, so read the bottle closely.