Wine of the Week: Askaneli, 2019 Saperavi | Georgia

Saperavi | July 19, 2024

ABOUT THE WINERY

Georgian winemaking dates back to over 8,000 years ago, making it the oldest and one of the most distinctive wine regions in the world. Ancient Georgians used qvevri, which are large earthenware pots buried in the ground, to ferment and age their wine. This method is still used today and is a crucial part of Georgian winemaking tradition. The use of qvevri and ancient grape varietals such as Saperavi has garnered attention from wine lovers.

The Askaneli Brothers’ winery is equipped with modern equipment to ensure the highest quality control of all technological processes. The Saperavi wines undergo the traditional Kakhetian method of qvevri, using large clay jugs to enhance extractability and add uniqueness. Additionally, they are left to age in bottles for an additional 3-6 months before being made available for sale. 

Saperavi is the leading red grape varietal from the country of Georgia. Translating to “dye” in English, Saperavi is a beautiful teinturier varietal (red-fleshed grapes with dark skins) that is versatile to create different styles of red wine. Over the past few years, under the radar regions have been trending among wine lovers, and Georgia has been gaining more awareness for its wide range of traditional European-style wines, including its Saperavi red wine expressions.