Saperavi - Georgian Wine

You have already heard many times that Georgia has a huge history of wine making in a unique way for 8 000 years. Proven by the archeological finds found in Georgia. The research has shown  that the population of the tribes in here have been making wine from 6000-5800 BC. Georgia has over 500 variations of endemic grapes, today I would like to tell you about one of the most popular and one of the oldest varieties called Saperavi.


Saperavi is the main vine variety in the Kakheti region and  is the best variety for winemaking. It gives the best material for almost all types of wine.There is no direct information of the time and place of origin for Saperavi are not preserved. Despite this based on indirect data, it is possible to determine the origins and time of Saperavi.

According to academician I. Javakhishvili, Saperavi was originally Georgian
It was widespread in Shavshet-Klarjeti province. Here It seems to have spread earlier than in Kartli, where Saperavi in sources  is mentioned only at the beginning of the XVI century. this
According to the center of Saperavi origin is considered to be  the eastern shore of the Black Sea, Old Colchis. It then moved east and southeast.

It's important to mention the biological characteristics of the variety, among which,
First of all, it is worth mentioning the unusual richness of the Saperavi variations,
Which does not characterize any Georgian variety except Saperavi. Such variations
Wealth can be explained by Saperavi's very long culture caused during frequent and sharp environmental conditions change.

In special literary sources on viticulture and local viticulture Saperavi is also known by many different additional names. Which is explained by the fact that Saperavi is a very old variety, which is why it is rich with modified forms-variations. Learned viticulturists L. Jorjadze,S. Kvariani and P. Averkin distinguished between real Saperavi, Male Saperavi,
female Saperavi, Budeshuri-like Saperavi, large-grained Saperavi and
Thin  ground Saperavi.

For example  Budeshuri-like Saperavi which was first described in 1895 in the nearby villages of river Iori. It is distinguished from ordinary Saperavi by its more elongated nest-like ends and slightly earlier ripeness. With agricultural marks, this variation is noticeable  for having a good harvest, the wine has an intense color and a smaller body than the usual Saperavi.

Large-grain Saperavi. This variation has been identified in Metsn. Cand. F. By Loladze in 1932. It is common in industrial vineyards as a mixture. It differs from the usual Saperavi by the structure of the bunch and the thickness of the grain. It is usually inferior to Saperavi in ​​terms of agricultural characteristics. Its yield does not exceed 1 kg at the base. Only in 1945 did his harvest reach 2 kg. It has a high sugar content with a suitable acidity (23% _8,2 ‰), it produces good quality wine. It is necessary to test in areas where ordinary Saperavi thrives or wine is of poor quality in order to select the most suitable area for it.

Duration of vegetation period varies considerably by individual regions. More
to the north is the viticulture district, the longer the period of vegetation is , because it is difficult to collect the needed accumulation of temperature for ripening.  In the southern latitudes, on the contrary, Due to the temperature, the vegetation period is significantly shorter.

Outside of Georgia Saperavi are found in France,  Armenia, Azerbaijan, Crimea, Uzbekistan and other countries.

Abroad, mainly in France, Saperavi was spread  through the French Longille, settled in Kutaisi. The latter systematically sent Georgian vine varieties to France to  Ampelograph Pula. For example, in 1868 Longgeil sent 25 varieties of Imereti to Pula. Among them, Saperavi was presented in 3 different ways. In the new parcel sent in 1875, two varieties of Saperavi were included, namely: Saperavi of Kakheti and Saperavi Krikrin.


To learn more about Georgian wine and wine Tour visit Colour Tour Georgia's webpage www.colourtourgeorgia.com and read more about touristic destinations that you can visit during Wine Tour in East Georgia, Kakheti region. For more questions contact us by email at info@colourtourgeorgia.com or call us +995 599 555 242.



Post a Comment

0 Comments