📍 Racha

Racha is a mountain area in north-western Georgia, known for naturally semi-sweet red wines. The most famous is Khvanchkara.

The vineyards lie on the slopes of the Caucasus. Cool nights and autumn slow fermentation, and natural sugar stays in the wine. This gives a semi-sweet wine with nothing added. Khvanchkara uses local red grapes: Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli. White wines of Racha use Tsolikouri and others. Local varieties also include Mtsvivani Rachuli, Tsedisuri Mgvalmartsvala, Melikudi Rachuli and Rachuli Shavi.

The variety name "Rachuli" means "from Racha". Racha belongs to Georgian wine, where winemaking tradition spans millennia. Wine here was made both in clay qvevri and in more modern vessels. Khvanchkara is protected as a designation and is widely known. It is served chilled, with cheese and desserts or on its own. Racha is an example of how natural conditions shape a unique wine style.