Fantastic Saperavi and Where to Find It in the UK
Nowadays, Saperavi wines from Georgia are available for purchase and taste in the different corners of the United Kingdom. To help you pick a truly good bottle to taste, we at Georgian Wine UK want to share a short but sweet shopping list and Saperavi essentials with you curious wine drinkers!
Saperavi Facts
Saperavi is Georgia’s flagship red grape variety, renowned for its deep color and robust character. It is a teinturier grape: its skin and flesh are pigmented, resulting in intensely colored wines. Originating from the Kakheti region in eastern Georgia, Saperavi thrives in the country's diverse climates and soils.
Wines produced from Saperavi are typically full-bodied with high acidity and tannins, making them suitable for aging. Their flavour profile is characterised by dark fruits like blackberry and plum, complemented by spice notes.
Key Saperavi appellations
Georgia's PDO (Protected Designations of Origin) system highlights the unique terroirs and practices that influence Saperavi's expression. Here are some of them that are worth looking out for:
Mukuzani: Often aged in oak barrels, this Saperavi is known for mighty but rounded tannins, complexity, and depth.
Khashmi: Once known as Blood of Giants, the expression of Saperavi from Khashmi is age-worthy, with powerful tannins, high acidity, a touch of earthiness, and minerality.
Kvareli: Elegant, fine Saperavi with a touch of oak.
Kindzmarauli: A naturally semi-sweet red Saperavi from the Kvareli region, offering a harmonious balance of sweetness and acidity.
Where to Find a Good Saperavi in the UK?
We prepared a list of dry Saperavi wines available online and offline in the UK. Of course, there are more—we just picked some of the distinctive ones, many of which were also distinguished by medals from international competitions.
1. Tiko Estate - Saperavi 2021
A smooth and juicy Saperavi with ripe blackberry and plum notes, offering a soft, crowd-pleasing profile from a promising young estate.
2. Teliani Valley - Winery 97 - Saperavi 2022
Bright and fruit-forward with hints of spice, this easy-drinking red is crafted by one of Georgia’s most trusted wineries.
Fresh and lively, showcasing black cherry and raspberry notes, this wine offers a clean expression of young Saperavi.
Bold, rich and structured with dark fruit, spice, and a smoky edge.
5. Askaneli Winery - Saperavi Premium
An opulent Saperavi, aged in oak barrels, exhibiting deep ruby hues with aromas of black plum, blackberry, black pepper, and oak, complemented by good acidity and high tannins.
6. Zurab Topuridze - Saperavi Ioane 2023
Crafted in a small, low-intervention winery in Kakheti, this wine offers a combination of cherry iced tea and pomegranate flavors, underpinned by fine tannins and a bright finish.
7. Chelti - Saperavi Qvevri Oak Aged 2017
Aged in both clay and oak, this Saperavi presents a silky texture with notes of black fruit, cocoa, and spice, offering a complex and serious profile.
From the Mukuzani PDO, this dry red is layered with plum, oak, and warm spice, exemplifying a classic style done right.
9. Koncho & Co - Kvareli Rouge 2021
A dry red wine from the Kvareli PDO, featuring aromas of black sour cherry, ripe blackberry, and vanilla, framed by smoky oak (it was aged in oak barrels for 15 months).
Produced using traditional qvevri methods, this wine is powerful yet graceful, with deep berry flavors and gentle tannins.
We wish you a lot of enjoyable discoveries in the magical world of Saperavi!
