What are the wine regions of Georgia?
Viticulture regions and their local wines.
Short answer
Kakheti, Kartli, Imereti, Racha-Lechkhumi, Samegrelo, Guria, Adjara and Samtskhe-Javakheti are Georgia's wine regions, each with its own set of local grape varieties. Kakheti has the most varieties, 80. Imereti follows with 74, and Kartli with 72.
Why
- Each region has its own local grape varieties, from 80 in Kakheti to 26 in Samtskhe-Javakheti.
- Typical wines of the regions: Rkatsiteli, Saperavi, Kisi and Kindzmarauli in Kakheti, Chinuri and Goruli Mtsvane in Kartli.
- Khvanchkara is linked to Racha-Lechkhumi, Ojaleshi to Samegrelo and Chkhaveri to Guria and Adjara.
Details
Local grape varieties: Kakheti 80, Imereti 74, Kartli 72, Samegrelo 60, Guria 59, Adjara 53, Racha-Lechkhumi 50, Samtskhe-Javakheti 26. Typical wines of the regions: in Kakheti Rkatsiteli, Saperavi, Kisi and Kindzmarauli, in Kartli Goruli Mtsvane and Chinuri, in Imereti Tsitska-Tsolikauri and Krakhuna, in Racha-Lechkhumi Khvanchkara, in Samegrelo Ojaleshi, in Guria and Adjara Chkhaveri. For Samtskhe-Javakheti only the variety count is given.
For Kakheti see where Kakheti is and what to see there, for qvevri see what a qvevri is, and for choosing wine to take home see the best Georgian wines.
Tip
If you are travelling for wine, start with Kakheti and add Imereti or Racha-Lechkhumi for variety: each region has its own wines.
What may differ
Individual producers make wine in their own style within the appellation rules. The rules themselves can be updated, so check the current version with the National Wine Agency of Georgia.
Common misconception
Good Georgian wine is made only in Kakheti.
What actually happens
Other regions have well-known wines too: Khvanchkara in Racha-Lechkhumi, Ojaleshi in Samegrelo, Chinuri in Kartli and Chkhaveri in Guria and Adjara.
People also ask
- What are the wine regions of Georgia?
Sources
This answer is for reference: it describes the appellation rules, not the taste of a particular bottle. Rules can be updated, so check official websites.
Georgian wine: Madloba articlesRelated questions
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