Sun, 03 May 2026 23:23:34 +0000

How Saperavi Unlocked Secrets That Changed Everything – Or Destroyed Them When it comes to wine, innovation often lies hidden in unexpected places. One such revelation came with Saperavi — a grape variety long rooted in Georgian tradition, yet quietly awakening secrets that reshaped viticulture and sparked fierce debate. Saperavi didn’t just unlock age-old wine-making techniques; its resurgence in modern wine production revealed profound insights — and in some corners, contributed to disruption, loss, and controversy. What is Saperavi? Originating in Georgia’s Kakheti region, Saperavi is a bold, dark-skinned grape celebrated for its intense color, high tannin, and flavors of blackberry, plum, and smoky spice. For centuries, it defined Georgia’s bold, age-worthy red wines — often aged in qvevri, the ancient clay clay vessels. Only recently, advancements in science, viticulture, and oenology began unlocking its full potential, transforming a regional treasure into a global talking point.