Saperavi red wine variety

Saperavi is a red wine grape variety that is a native of Georgia in the former Soviet Union.

It was the most popular grape variety planted in many of the wine producing republics in the former Soviet Union.

The characteristic of the grapes of this exciting variety is the dark pink flesh and very dark skins, hence wines made from this variety are deeply coloured.  In fact the name of the variety means 'dyer' in the Georgian language.

Another notable characteristic of wines made from this variety is the high acid levels which makes it suitable for blending.

Saperavi is also used to make semi-sweet wiines and port-style fortified wines.

As you might expect, the variety is also capable of surviving extremely cold winters, hence it has attracted the attention of winegrowers in high altitude locations and inland regions.

There are reports of the wine having great aging potential.

Saperavi in Australia

• 919 Wines Riverland
• Alejandro Riverland
• Anderson Winery Rutherglen
• Arila Gardens Barossa Valley
• Ballandean Estate Granite Belt
• Bassham Wines Riverland
• Bent Road Granite Belt
• Berg Herring McLaren Vale
• Billy Button Alpine Valleys
• Chateau Mildura Murray Darling
• Cirami Estate Riverland
• Clovely Estate South Burnett
• Domain Day Barossa Valley
• Double Oaks Macedon Ranges
• Dusty Hill Vineyard South Burnett
• Eaglerange Wines Alpine Valleys
• Fairbrossen Perth Hills
• Gapsted Wines Alpine Valleys
• Glenbosch Estate Beechworth
• Riversands Queensland
• Hugh Hamilton McLaren Vale
• King River Estate King Valley
• Kominos Granite Belt
• La Cantina King Valley King Valley
• Lethbridge Wines Geelong
• Lightning Tree Wines South Burnett
• Lino Ramble McLaren Vale
• Mallee Estate Riverland
• Massena Wines Barossa Valley
• Matriarch and Rogue Clare Valley
• Monak Wine Co Murray Darling
• New Era Adelaide Hills
• Oak Works Riverland
• Patritti Wines McLaren Vale
• Pepper Tree Wines Hunter Valley
• Peter Drayton Wines Hunter Valley
• Ridgemill Estate Granite Belt
• Rolf Binder Barossa Valley
• Serrena Que Estate Granite Belt
• Sirromet Granite Belt
• Smidge Wines McLaren Vale
• Spook Hill Wines Riverland
• Symphonia King Valley
• Ten Miles East Adelaide Hills
• Trentham Estate Murray Darling
• Trimboli Riverina
• Two Hands Barossa Valley
• Wines By Farquhar Barossa Valley
• Woodgate Wines Manjimup

Saperavi wines and food

Wines made from Saperavi can be paired with a variety of foods.

The strong flavour and firm texture suggests that it would be suitable with game dishes or hearty winter fare.

The classic Georgian meat dish mtsvadi would make an ideal accompaniment to a robust flavourful Saperavi wine.

[Photograph: Courtesy of Georgian National Tourism Administration]

Subscribers to Vinodiversity Community get invites to Darby's Special Taste and Talk Sessions.