Georgia is one of the world's most important genetic reservoirs for the vine. Over 500 indigenous varieties — more than most European countries combined. Most are practically unknown outside the country. Here are the ones worth starting with.
Saperavi is Georgia's flagship red variety. The name means "dyer" — it is one of the rare teinturier grapes with red flesh as well as red skin. Wines from Saperavi are dense, dark, powerfully tannic, with high acidity and notes of dark cherry, plum, and spice. Ages beautifully. Its home is Kakheti.
Rkatsiteli is the most widely planted white variety, one of the oldest in the world. Thick-skinned, late-ripening, cold-resistant. In qvevri it produces powerful amber wines with notes of quince, dried apricot, and beeswax. In steel, lighter and more floral. Also from Kakheti.
Khikhvi is a rare white variety from Kakheti, nearly extinct and revived in the 2000s. It has an unusual aromatic profile: rose petals, tropical fruit, lime. Extremely rare — we guard every bottle in our catalog.
Mtsvane Kakhuri is an aromatic white variety with notes of flowers, citrus, and green herbs. Often blended with Rkatsiteli for fragrance. On its own it produces elegant, delicate wines.
Chinuri is a white variety from Kartli (central Georgia). Its high acidity makes it ideal for natural sparkling wines and light table wines. One of the few Georgian varieties with a genuinely fresh, almost Burgundian character.
These are just five of five hundred. Each year producers revive forgotten varieties: Goruli Mtsvane, Tavkveri, Tsipo, Usakhelouri... The Vinoground catalog evolves with them.