When was the last time you tasted a wine made from a grape you’d never heard of? Of the 10,000+ grape varieties cultivated worldwide, you’ve probably encountered fewer than twenty. While Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc dominate the shelves, ancient grapes like Khikhvi quietly grow at specific coordinates—such as Winery Saba’s 23 hectares at 45.3° latitude—waiting to surprise adventurous drinkers. This EU organic and bio-certified 2024 vintage brings Georgia’s rarest white varietal to life through meticulous farming and classical winemaking.
The 45.3° Promise
Every bottle of Winery Saba wine bears 45.3°—the exact latitude crossing their Kakheti vineyards. This isn’t just geography; it’s their compass and signature, representing a promise to stay rooted in the land that has nurtured vines for 8,000 years. At this precise location, they work with intention rather than speed, hand-harvesting every grape without the use of synthetic chemicals, producing wine that reflects its origin. It’s a quiet message to those who care about what they drink: this wine has a home worth remembering.
The Grape Time Nearly Forgot
Khikhvi ranks among Georgia’s rarest indigenous varieties, cultivated almost exclusively in the valleys of Kakheti. This early-ripening white grape nearly vanished during Soviet collectivization when authorities favored high-yielding varieties over traditional Georgian grapes. Today, fewer than 100 hectares of Khikhvi exist worldwide, making every bottle from Winery Saba’s organically certified vineyards a small act of cultural preservation. The grape’s thin skins and delicate aromatics require careful handling—it bruises easily and oxidizes quickly, which explains why commercial producers historically avoided it. Yet as keepers of timeless tradition, Winery Saba embraces this challenge, combining respect for Georgian heritage with clean, modern practices.
Bio-Certified Craftsmanship
Creating pristine white wine demands precision at every step. After hand-harvesting Khikhvi at optimal ripeness from their EU-organic certified estate, Winery Saba employs classical techniques designed to preserve the delicate character. Following gentle crushing, the juice undergoes cold sedimentation—chilling so that solids naturally settle without the need for aggressive filtration. This patient approach maintains subtle aromatics that harsh processing destroys. After racking the clear juice from sediment, selected yeasts initiate controlled fermentation at carefully monitored temperatures. Cold stabilization at –4°C prevents the formation of tartrate crystals, although some argue that this chilling can mute textural nuance. Bio-certification guarantees the entire process—from vine to bottle—meets the highest standards for organic production, respecting both nature and tradition.
In the Glass: Clean, Light, Energetic
Khikhvi 2024 pours a pale straw color with greenish highlights, indicating its light-bodied nature. The nose offers gentle aromas of ripe pear, white berries, and citrus zest—nothing aggressive, just clean, pretty fruit. At 13.1% alcohol, this wine stays refreshing with bright acidity that makes your mouth water. The mouthfeel is light and energetic, almost dancing across your palate. However, the moderate finish means flavors don’t linger as long as some might prefer—serious wine geeks seeking complexity might find it a bit simple. Serve well-chilled at 10–11°C alongside fresh goat cheese, creamy pasta with lemon, or grilled vegetables. I particularly love it with simple caprese salad on hot summer days when heavy wines feel oppressive.
Why Obscure Matters
In rescuing Khikhvi from near-extinction at 45.3° latitude, Winery Saba reminds us why diversity matters. Sometimes, a light, clean, and energetic white wine made from EU organic grapes that nobody’s heard of is precisely what the moment requires. Isn’t that worth celebrating?
TRANSPARENCY NOTE: This wine review was created in collaboration with Winery Saba. Although this is sponsored content, our editorial standards mandate an honest assessment, including any necessary critical notes. We only partner with producers whose dedication to quality and sustainability aligns with our values. Winery Saba is an EU organic and bio-certified winery located at 45.3° latitude in Kakheti, Georgia.
