Saperavi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saperavi |
|
|---|---|
| Grape (Vitis) | |
Saperavi grapes
|
|
| Color of berry skin | Black |
| Species | Vitis vinifera |
| Also called | See list of synonyms |
| Origin | Georgia |
Saperavi (Georgian: საფერავი) is a special type of grape. Its name means "paint" or "dye" because it gives a lot of color. This grape comes from the country of Georgia. It is used to make many famous wines there.
Saperavi is also grown in other countries. You can find it in Russia, Armenia, Moldova, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan. Some is even grown in Australia.
Saperavi is a "teinturier" grape. This means its pulp (the inside part) is red, not just its skin. Most red grapes only have color in their skin. This makes Saperavi very unique!
Contents
What Makes Saperavi Grapes Special?
The grapes themselves are medium to large. They can be oval or round. They are dark bluish and have thin skins. These grapes take about five months to ripen. They produce a good amount of fruit. The leaves of the Saperavi plant are large and round. They usually have three main parts, like a hand with three fingers.
Saperavi grapes make wines that are very rich in flavor. They have a special smell and a balanced taste. They also have a pleasant "astringency." This is a slight drying feeling in your mouth, like when you eat a banana that isn't fully ripe. The wines usually have an alcohol level from 10.5% to 12.5%. They also have a good amount of natural acidity.
Wines made from Saperavi grapes are very deep red. They can be stored for a long time and get even better with age. These grapes can also make wines with high alcohol levels. Because of this, they are sometimes mixed with lighter grapes. Saperavi is the most important red grape grown in Georgia.
Growing Saperavi Grapes
Saperavi is a very strong grape variety. It can grow well even in very cold weather. This makes it popular for growing in places that are high up or far from the coast. One such region is Kakheti in Georgia.
Where Saperavi Grapes Grow
The Saperavi grape first came from the Kakheti region. This is in Eastern Georgia. Now, you can find it all over Georgia. It grows in places like Saingilo, Kartli, Shavshet-Klarjeti, Imereti, Guria, Racha, and Lechkhumi. Saperavi is one of the oldest grape types from this area. It has always been very important for Georgia's wine industry.
Saperavi grapes are mostly used in Georgia and Russia. But they have also spread to other parts of Eastern Europe. For example, they are used to make Purcari wine in Moldova. Saperavi grapes are also being grown in "New World" wine regions. These are places outside of Europe where wine is made. Examples include the Finger Lakes area and Niagara in North America. Some growers in Australia have also had good results with Saperavi. It was first grown there in the King Valley Region.
Wines Made from Saperavi Grapes
Many famous Georgian wines are made mostly or entirely from Saperavi grapes. Here are a few:
- Kindzmarauli: This is a naturally semi-sweet wine. It is aged for two years. It comes from the Kvareli region. The grapes for Kindzmarauli are picked later than for most other Saperavi wines.
- Akhasheni: This is another semi-sweet wine. It is similar to Kindzmarauli. It is made in the Gurdzhaani region.
- Mukuzani: This is a dry wine. It is aged for three years. It comes from the Mukuzani region. This wine is made from the best local grapes. Many people think it is one of the best Georgian wines.
- Napareuli: This is also a dry wine, aged for three years. It is made in the Napareuli microzone, which is part of the Telavi region. Like Mukuzani, it uses the best local grapes and is considered a top Georgian wine.
- Alazani: This is a light semi-sweet wine. It is made in the Alazani region. It is a mix of 60% Saperavi grapes and 40% Rkatsiteli grapes. The warmer weather in this region helps the grapes become sweeter.
Other names for Saperavi
Saperavi is also known by other names. These include Didi Saperavi, Kleinberiger, Nerki Khagog, Patara Saperavi, Saparavi, Sapeavi De Kakhetie, Saperaibi, Saperavi de Kachet, Saperavi de Kakhetie, Saperavi Patara, Sapeur, Sapperavi, Sapperavy, Scoperawi, and Szaperavi.
See also
In Spanish: Saperavi para niños
