Georgia's 29 Wine Appellations

Georgia, a country celebrated for its deep-rooted wine culture, is distinguished by its 29 protected designations of origin (PDOs), which are a testament to its diverse and high-quality viticulture. These appellations, sometimes referred to as microzones, represent the country's commitment to preserving its unique wine heritage. The Georgian National Wine Agency's catalog of 2023 meticulously lists these PDOs, highlighting the significance of each appellation.

In the realm of Georgian wine, the notion of using geographical names to define wine appellations has a long and storied history. Despite Georgia's relatively modest geographic size, the variety and number of its wine appellations are noteworthy. Each appellation is characterized by its unique qualities, reputation, and high standards, shaped profoundly by Georgia's distinct environmental conditions. This diversity not only reflects the country's rich vinicultural landscape but also its dedication to quality and tradition.

A significant portion of Georgia's wine appellations, specifically 20 out of the 29, are located in Kakheti, the country's most prolific wine-producing region. Situated approximately one hour east of Tbilisi, the capital, Kakheti stands as a beacon of Georgian winemaking, embodying the essence and diversity of the country's wine culture. This region's prominence in the Georgian wine landscape underscores its vital role in the nation's viticultural identity.

The stewardship of these appellations is rigorously maintained by Sakpatenti, Georgia's national intellectual property agency. Sakpatenti's mandate extends beyond the mere naming of wines; it involves ensuring that these appellations are used exclusively within Georgia, thereby safeguarding the country's viticultural heritage. These appellations, whether rooted in modern or historical geographic locations, encapsulate the unique characteristics and terroir of each region, underpinning the distinctiveness of Georgian wines.

This comprehensive list includes all the appellations of origin in Georgia, detailing their specific characteristics, grape varieties, and locations:

A naturally semi-sweet red wine made from Saperavi grapes, characterized by a dark-pomegranate color, harmonious taste, velvety sweetness, fruit tones, and varietal aromas. Located in Shida Kakheti region, middle belt of the Alazani River. Registered on 30/08/2005.

Produces Dry white, Semidry white, Semisweet white, and Dry amber wines. White wines are made from Mtsvane grapes, and amber wines include up to 15% Kisi and/or Khikhvi. Registered on 11/05/2020.

Known for Dry red wine made from Saperavi and/or Saperavi Budeshuri. Registered on 29/05/2020.

A dry white wine made from Rkatsiteli, characterized by a light straw color, harmonious, full-bodied taste with varietal specific aromas and well-developed bouquet. Includes villages of Shida Kakheti in the middle part of the river Alazani. Registered on 30/08/2005.

Offers Dry white, Amber, Rosé, and Red wines. White and amber wines are made from Rkatsiteli, Kakhuri Mtsvane, Kisi, Khikhvi, Mtsvivani Kakhuri, and Chitistvala. Red and rosé wines include Saperavi, Saperavi-Budeshuri, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Registered on 10/12/2007.

A fortified white wine with an amber color, made from Rkatsiteli, Khikhvi, and Kakhuri Mtsvane grapes. Located in the village of Kardenakhi of the Gurjaani district. Registered on 10/12/2007.

A naturally semi-sweet red wine made from Saperavi grapes, characterized by a dark garnet red color, harmonious taste with full, velvety, delicate, pleasant sweetness, and fruit tones. Located in Shida Kakheti, Kvareli region. Registered on 30/03/2006.

Produces white and red dry wines. The white wine is made from Rkatsiteli grapes, and the red wine from Saperavi grapes. Located in the middle stream of the Alazani River, on the right bank. Registered on 12/10/2007.

A dry red wine made from Saperavi grapes, characterized by dark red color, varietal aromas, balance, and a distinctive bouquet. Located in Kakheti, Kvareli region, on the left bank of the Alazani River. Registered on 10/12/2007.

Produces Dry white and amber wines from Kisi grapes. Registered on 31/05/2021.

A dry white wine made from Kakhetian Mtsvane grapes, characterized by light straw to straw color with a greenish tint, gentle taste, harmonious and delicate fruity tones. Located in Gare Kakheti. Registered on 21/08/2006.

A dry red wine made from Saperavi grapes, characterized by a dark pomegranate color, full-bodied taste, harmonious, velvety, delicate, well-expressed variety specific aromas and bouquet. Located in Shida Kakheti, Gurjaani district, on the right bank of the Alazani River gorge. Registered on 30/08/2005.

Produces dry white and dry red wines. The white wine is made from Rkatsiteli grapes, and the red wine from Saperavi grapes. Located in the upper part of the Alazani River, on the left bank. Registered on 10/12/2007.

A dry red wine made from Saperavi grapes. Located in Gare Kakheti. Registered on 06/04/2018.

A dry red wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, characterized by a dark red color, pure varietal specific aromas, and a spicy, harmonious, developed bouquet. Located in Kakheti, in the middle belt of the Alazani River. Registered on 10/12/2007.

A dry white wine made from Rkatsiteli grapes, characterized by a dark amber color, sort-specific aroma, well-defined and extracted bouquet, velvety taste, and raisin tones. Located in Shida Kakheti, the eastern part of the right side of the Alazani Valley. Registered on 10/12/2007.

Known for Dry amber wine made from Rkatsiteli with up to 15% Kakhuri Mtsvane and/or Khikhvi. Registered on 11/05/2020.

A dry white wine made from Rkatsiteli and Kakhetian Mtsvane grapes, characterized by its light straw color, and its harmonious, refined and developed bouquet and specific varietal aroma. Located in Kakheti region, on the right bank of the river Alazani. Registered on 30/08/2005.

A dry white wine made from Rkatsiteli and Kakhetian Mtsvane grapes, characterized by a light straw color, harmonious taste, and cheerful, developed bouquet with floral tones. Located in the middle part of the Alazani River. Registered on 10/12/2007.

Produces Dry Red Qvevri wine from Saperavi. Registered on 30/08/2022.

Known for Dry Red (ASURETULI SHALA) wine made from Asuretuli Shala. Registered on 24/11/2022.

A white sparkling wine made from Chinuri and Goruli Mtsvane grapes, and Aligote is also allowed. Characterized by straw color, harmonious taste, fruity tones, and energetic flavor. Located in Shida Kartli, in the Gori administrative district. Registered on 10/12/2007.

Produces a variety of wines including Dry white, Dry red, Dry amber, and Rosé. Made from Rkatsiteli, Chinuri, Goruli Mtsvane, Saperavi, Tavkveri, Shavkapito, and Asuretuli Shavi grapes. Located in Kvemo Kartli, Bolnisi municipality. Registered on 19/07/2018.

Known for Dry white/amber and dry red wines made from Chinnuri or Goruli Mtsvane, Shavkapito. Registered on 12/12/2022.

A naturally semi-sweet red wine made from Aleksandreuli and Mujuretuli grape varieties, characterized by a dark red color, harmonious taste, velvety, pleasant flavor, fruit tones, and varietal aroma. Located in Racha, in the Ambrolauri district. Registered on 14/07/2005.

Offers Red wines (Dry, off-dry, semi-sweet) made from Usakhelouri. Registered on 30/08/2022.

Known for Dry red wine made from Ojaleshi.

A dry white wine made from Tsolikouri, Tsitska, and Krakhuna grape varieties, characterized by a dark straw-yellowish tint, fruity tones, developed and extracted fruit bouquet, harmonious. Located in the Imereti region, on the left bank of the Kvirila River. Registered on 10/12/2007.

A dry to semi-sweet wine made from Tsolikouri grape variety, characterized by light straw to straw color, a tender, delicate, harmonious taste, fruity tones, varietal aroma, and pleasant sweetness. Located in Lechkhumi, Tsageri district, on the right bank of the Rioni River. Registered on 10/12/2007.