Usakhelouri
Racha-LechkhumiRegistered August 30, 2022
Lechkhumi, Tsageri district: the slopes above the Tskhenistskali near Zubi, Isunderi, Okureshi and Opitara, at 350–650 m. Usakhelouri, a rare and low-yielding variety, is the only grape allowed. The dry wine must reach at least 13.5 per cent alcohol — the highest requirement among Georgian zones; semi-dry and semi-sweet need eleven.
In the zone's specification
Grapes: Usakhelouri
Vineyard altitude: 350–650 m above sea level
Yield: no more than 10 t per hectare
Alcohol: no less than 13.5%
Bottling: outside the zone, but within Georgia
Villages of the zone: Zubi, Isunderi, Okureshi, Opitara, Ladzgveria, Makhura
Source: the appellation specification, register no. 983 — National Wine Agency
Authenticity
High authenticity risk
Usakhelouri (registered as Okureshis Usakhelouri) is a naturally semi-sweet red PDO from the rare Usakhelouri grape, grown on a few hectares across five villages of the Lechkhumi district, western Georgia. It is one of the world's rarest wines: published figures cite only about 3-5 tonnes of grapes and roughly 1,000 bottles produced nationally in a good year, with bottles fetching around EUR 100-180. Because the authentic zone output is tiny while the name is famous and premium, the volume offered under the name can exceed what the zone can produce. What to check: confirm the producer is registered in the Okureshi / Lechkhumi zone and owns or sources Usakhelouri grapes there, and treat inexpensive 'Usakhelouri' with caution.
