Kardenakhi
KakhetiRegistered December 10, 2007
The administrative territory of Kardenakhi village in the Gurjaani district: the gentle north-eastern slope of Tsiv-Gombori on the right bank of the Alazani, at 350–750 m. Rkatsiteli is the main variety, with up to 15 per cent of Mtsvane Kakhuri and Khikhvi allowed. There are two wines: an amber dry and a white fortified one, made by adding grape spirit to the fermenting must.
In the zone's specification
Grapes: Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane Kakhuri (blending grape, no more than 15%), Khikhvi (blending grape, no more than 15%)
Wine types: Amber, dry · White, enums.sweetness.fortified
Vineyard altitude: 350–750 m above sea level
Alcohol: no less than 12%
Bottling: outside the zone, but within Georgia
Source: the appellation specification, register no. 795 — National Wine Agency
Authenticity
No known authenticity issues
Kardenakhi is a fortified, oxidative amber/white PDO from the village of Kardenakhi in the Gurjaani municipality of Kakheti, made from Rkatsiteli with Khikhvi and Mtsvane in a sherry-like style. It is a niche fortified appellation with no notable authenticity concern; the wine should come from the registered Kardenakhi zone. Note the common spelling variant 'Kardanakhi'.
