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Khvanchkara

Racha-LechkhumiRegistered July 14, 2005

Racha, Ambrolauri district: the southern slopes of the Lechkhumi range above the Rioni gorge, stretching 35–40 km along it. Vineyards sit at 450–750 m. The wine comes from two local varieties, Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli, and is red naturally semi-sweet — the sweetness is the grape's own, with no sugar added. In years when ripeness falls short, the same fruit goes into ordinary table wine.

Authenticity

High authenticity risk

Khvanchkara is a naturally semi-sweet red PDO from Racha, made only from Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli grapes grown in a small demarcated micro-zone around Ambrolauri. Because these two grapes grow on a very limited area (the core micro-zone is on the order of tens of hectares, within roughly 900 ha of Racha vineyards) while the name is among Georgia's most famous, the volume sold under the name has historically exceeded what the zone can produce, and falsification of the name is well documented in the wine press. What to check: confirm the producer is registered in the Racha/Khvanchkara zone and owns or sources Aleksandrouli/Mujuretuli grapes there, and treat unusually cheap 'Khvanchkara' with caution.

The dot marks the locality the appellation is named after.

Wines of Khvanchkara