Akhmeta
KakhetiRegistered May 11, 2020
Kakheti, Akhmeta district: the Caucasus foothills above the Alazani valley, with vineyards at 400–800 m. The zone covers Matani, Kistauri, Sakobiano and neighbouring villages. The white is made from Mtsvane Kakhuri, the amber from the same grape with up to 15 per cent of Kisi and Khikhvi added. The yield is capped at eight tonnes per hectare, twice as strict as in the lowland zones.
In the zone's specification
Grapes: Mtsvane Kakhuri, Kisi (blending grape, no more than 15%), Khikhvi (blending grape, no more than 15%)
Vineyard altitude: 400–800 m above sea level
Yield: no more than 8 t per hectare
Alcohol: no less than 11%
Bottling: outside the zone, but within Georgia
Villages of the zone: Sakobiano, Matani, Kistauri, Arashenda, Akhshani, Akhshnisvelebi, Ingeti, Kogori, Osiauri, Sachale, Ozhio, Alaverdi, Koghoti, Chabinaani, Khorkheli, Zemo Khodasheni, Atskuri, Akhaldaba, Charekauli, Zemo Alvani, Khorbalo, Kvemo Alvani, Babaneuli, Maghraani, Pichkhovani, Argokhi
Source: the appellation specification, register no. 979 — National Wine Agency
Authenticity
No known authenticity issues
Akhmeta is a white and amber PDO from the Akhmeta municipality at the top of the Alazani valley in Kakheti, made mainly from Mtsvane, Kisi and Khikhvi, often in the traditional qvevri (skin-contact) style. It is a comparatively young, small-to-moderate appellation with no notable authenticity concern; the wine should come from the registered Akhmeta zone.
