The region with the capital Telavi is located in the east of Georgia. It covers 12,300 square kilometres on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus. It is the most important and largest wine-growing region with the largest number of Georgian PDO areas with protected designation of origin. These are Akhasheni, Akhmeta, Akhoebi, Gurjaani, Kakheti, Kardenakhi, Khashmi Saperavi, Kindzmarauli, Kotekhi, Kvareli, Maghraani Kisi, Manavi, Mukuzani, Napareuli, Teliani, Tibaani, Tsarapi, Tsinandali, Vazisubani and Zegaani.
The climate is temperate to subtropical with warm summers and moderately cold winters. The annual rainfall is between 400 and 800 mm. Calcareous soils, alluvial soils and black slate prevail. Most of the vineyards are located on the slopes of the Alazani and Iori rivers between 250 and 800 metres above sea level.
Serious sources on the internet are rare - and Wine lexicon from wein.plus is one such source. When researching for my articles, I regularly consult the wein.plus encyclopaedia. There I get reliable and detailed information.
Thomas Götz
Weinberater, Weinblogger und Journalist; Schwendi