From the birthplace of wine comes this intensely characterful Saperavi. Georgia's signature red grape produces deeply coloured, firmly tannic wines with distinctive dark fruit and notable acidity. This is wine with 8,000 years of history behind it—earthy, honest, and genuinely different from Western European styles.
Saperavi means "dye" in Georgian—and this wine lives up to the name. Extraordinarily deep colour that stains the glass. One of the few "teinturier" grapes with red flesh as well as red skin.
Intensely dark-fruited and wild. Blackberry and bilberry dominate—thick and concentrated. There's a distinctive earthiness, almost sour-cherry tartness, that marks Georgian Saperavi. Violets add an unexpected floral lift. Dried herbs, black pepper, and a slight smoky, meaty note build complexity. This is not a polished, international wine—it's raw, characterful, and utterly distinctive.
Intensity: Pronounced | Condition: Clean, distinctive
None — this wine is best enjoyed young
Flavour profile: Dark berries, sour cherry, plum, dried herbs, black tea, smoke, earthy notes
Finish: Long, tannic finish with persistent dark fruit and characteristic tartness
Kakheti, in eastern Georgia, is the country's largest and most important wine region, responsible for 70% of production. The region lies in the valleys and foothills of the Greater Caucasus mountains, protected from cold northern winds. The Alazani Valley is particularly famed for Saperavi.
Kakheti's diverse soils—from river-deposited alluvium to volcanic highlands—contribute to Saperavi's complexity. The clay-based soils retain water during hot summers while providing minerals. Higher elevation volcanic soils add minerality and structure. This geological diversity allows Saperavi to express different characters across the region.
Kakheti experiences significant diurnal variation, with warm-to-hot days and notably cool nights from mountain air drainage. This preserves Saperavi's naturally high acidity—essential for balance given the grape's deep colour and tannin. The continental influence gives definition; subtropical humidity requires careful canopy management.
This appears to be a European-style (not qvevri) vinification: destemmed, temperature-controlled fermentation, modern equipment. However, Georgian winemakers often retain some traditional influence. Expect extended maceration for colour extraction and moderate use of oak.
Philosophy: Expressing Saperavi's natural power in accessible modern style
Bedoba is a brand producing accessible Georgian wines for export markets. The name means "destiny" or "fate" in Georgian. While specific winery details are limited, the wine represents the new wave of Georgian producers bringing this ancient wine country to international attention after decades of Soviet-era neglect.
Not specified
Georgian winemaking philosophy traditionally centres on the qvevri (clay vessel) and skin contact, though modern producers balance tradition with international techniques. The broader Georgian approach views wine as integral to identity, hospitality, and celebration—wine is not just a beverage but a cultural cornerstone.
Notable: Georgia has evidence of winemaking dating to 6000 BC—the oldest confirmed wine production anywhere. UNESCO recognizes qvevri winemaking as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
ℹ️ Producer details unconfirmed; Georgian context well-documented