Is Saperavi a red or white grape variety?

Saperavi is a red wine grape variety. Sensium documents its structure, aromas, and confusion signals for blind tasting.

What does Saperavi smell and taste like?

Signature aromas of Saperavi include black cherry, blackberry and smoke. Structural profile: Full body, High acidity, High tannin, Medium alcohol.

What is Saperavi most often confused with in blind tasting?

Saperavi is most commonly confused with Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Touriga Nacional. Sensium's Compare view leads with the decisive cues that resolve each call.

Where is Saperavi grown?

Classic regions for Saperavi include Kakheti, Kartli and Alazani Valley.

Saperavi — varietal dossier

Structural pillars

Acidity

High

Tannin

High

Body

Full

Alcohol

Medium

Color intensity

Deep

Aromatic intensity

Pronounced

Recognition cues

First checks

Check for deep color with high acidity and pronounced tannin.
Look for smoky dark-fruit concentration before assigning Bordeaux-family grapes.

Confidence signals

Deep color with high acid-tannin frame
Smoky black-fruit profile

Aromas

Signature

black cherryblackberrysmoke

Common

plumvioletdried herbs

Occasional

black tea

Commonly confused with

Classic anchors

Classic regions: Kakheti · Kartli · Alazani Valley
Classic styles: Deeply colored high-acid Georgian red · Qvevri-fermented savory age-worthy red
Style examples: Kakheti Saperavi · Qvevri Saperavi

Common questions

Is Saperavi a red or white grape variety?: Saperavi is a red wine grape variety. Sensium documents its structure, aromas, and confusion signals for blind tasting.
What does Saperavi smell and taste like?: Signature aromas of Saperavi include black cherry, blackberry and smoke. Structural profile: Full body, High acidity, High tannin, Medium alcohol.
What is Saperavi most often confused with in blind tasting?: Saperavi is most commonly confused with Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Touriga Nacional. Sensium's Compare view leads with the decisive cues that resolve each call.
Where is Saperavi grown?: Classic regions for Saperavi include Kakheti, Kartli and Alazani Valley.