Vachnadziani Winery's Saperavi opens with vibrant wild berry and red plum aromatics, revealing a deeply coloured wine of warmth and subtle spice. The palate flows smoothly with soft tannins and bright acidity, finishing with an elegant hint of spice. A beautifully balanced dry red that pairs wonderfully with vegetarian dishes, charcuterie, greilled meats and stews. Best enjoyed at 16–18°C. Grape Saperavi Style Dry, Red, Full Bodied, Fruit Forward, Juicy, Black Cherry, Liquorice, Cedar, Floral, Forest Fruits, Well Rounded, Elegant, Fresh Country Georgia Region Kakheti Volume 75cl ABV 13% Dietary None About the Producer Georgia is considered to be the ‘cradle of wine', as 8,000 year-old indigenous Rkatsiteli grape seeds have been found in clay vessels. 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. Their exciting and dynamic range reveals all the charm of this historic winemaking land. Vineyard and Winery The grapes are grown in the Kakheti region in eastern Georgia, where the climate is moderately humid, with hot summers and cool winters. The vineyard is situated at an altitude of 320 metres above sea level, where the vines are trained according to the Vertical Shoot Position (VSP) method and are double Guyot pruned. The soils are clay and loamy, which provide good water retention properties to sustain the vines during the hot summers. The vineyard is planted with cover grass between the vines to reduce weeds; the soil is mulched and treated with organic mineral fertilisers. The Saperavi variety is an indigenous dark skinned, pink fleshed Georgian variety. Saperavi translates as ‘dye’ which is apt for this teinturier grape which produces richly coloured wines with marked acidity. The grapes were hand-harvested at optimal maturity. The fruit was carefully selected prior to vinification. Fermentation took place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks, in order to retain the purity of fruit and the varietal characteristics of the Saperavi grape. The wine went through malolactic conversion in order to soften the palate. The wine was made in an unoaked style.