Saperavi wine guide

You may or may not have heard of the ancient variety Saperavi. It isn’t all that common across the wine world, hailing from Georgia, one of the oldest winemaking regions in the world. But whether you’ve heard of it or tried it, this is one to seek out. It is an innovative variety that produces sensational big wines packed full of dense colour, soft aromatics and tonnes of flavour. In recent years more Australian wineries have been experimenting with it, producing unique red wines. In this Saperavi wine guide, we dive into everything you need to know about this ancient grape.

Saperavi wine guide

Saperavi is unique in a few ways. Firstly, it is one of only a few teinturier grapes. Where most red grapes have clear flesh, grapes like Saperavi has both dark skins and flesh. But it is also a grape that grows well in warm and cold regions (learn more about climates here), producing wines of different styles but with the same basic elements, structure and core flavours. This grape can produce a number of different styles from lighter-bodied wines to age-worthy, oaked rich reds. It’s also popular in blends due to its high acid and inky colour.

Origin of Saperavi

Saperavi is native to Georgia in the former Soviet Union. The name actually means ‘dye’ in the Georgian language which is a nod to the dark pink flesh and deep coloured wine. Wine is ingrained into the country’s culture and is involved in every single meal and used in every important ceremony.

This ancient grape variety is the most popular in this ancient wine region. In fact, the oldest evidence of winemaking in the world was uncovered in the Georgian village of Imiri in 2015. Saperavi is widely grown throughout the Causcasus (the crossover between the Asian and European continents) as well as across various regions of the former Soviet Rebublic.

Flavour profile of Saperavi

Saperavi combines freshness and fragrance with bold colour and chocolatey texture. The great thing about Saperavi is that it lends itself to many different styles. You can get anything from fruity, earlier drinking styles, semi-sweet wines or more complex, oak-aged, dry wines. The most typical styles are full-bodied with high acidity and robust tannins. Inky Saperavi often has notes of cherry, blackberry, plum, spice, smoke, leather or licorice. If they are aged in oak, cedar and vanilla will also be present.

Saperavi is also an ideal ingredient for blended wines as it provides additional acidity and colour. For many decades it was more well known for this, but recently it has proved capable of producing age-worthy single varietal wines of high quality. But you can also get wines that are light and can even be chilled depending on what your preference is. There is so much to discover!

Where you’ll find Saperavi

Saperavi is a late-ripening variety that thrives in the cooler climates of continental eastern Europe where it is able to produce generous yields at high altitudes whilst retaining quality. Saperavi from cooler climates tends to be lighter coloured, tighter and more restrained with higher acidity. In Georgia, Saperavi’s best expression comes from the Kakheti region. The Finger Lakes district in America also produces wines of this style, as well as Malborough in New Zealand and some regions of Victoria.

However warmer climates are experimenting with this variety more and more. These wines still have similar characteristics but are more forward and ready to drink earlier. These wines are becoming quite popular in Australia as regions are beginning to experiment with Saperavi, particularly in the Barossa Valley and the Granite Belt.

What to pair with Saperavi

It wouldn’t be a Saperavi wine guide without talking about food, because this red wine is a great pairing with a meal. The great thing about it is that it comes in a variety of styles and so can easily be paired with many types of food. Lighter styles go well with grilled meats and cheese. The bolder styles can go with anything from pizza, smokey bbq pork or even spicy stews.

Summary: Saperavi wine guide

I hope this Saperavi wine guide has taught you something new about this lesser-known yet absolutely delicious red wine. There are so many styles to discover whether you choose a cool climate or warm-climate region. Either way, this inky red wine is sure to make your next meal a winner!