Have you ever tasted wine from the exact place where it all began? Georgia didn’t just make wine—it invented it. With 8,000 years of viticultural history in the Kakheti region, this Caucasian nation has given the world countless treasures, none more beloved than Saperavi. Winery Saba’s 2024 vintage honors this heritage from their 23 hectares of EU-organic-certified vineyards, situated precisely at 45.3° latitude—a coordinate that has become their signature and compass.
More Than Just a Number
The 45.3° marking on every Winery Saba bottle isn’t marketing—it’s a promise. This exact latitude line crosses their organically farmed vineyards in Kakheti, representing their commitment to staying rooted in the land and respecting nature’s rhythms. It’s where tradition meets modern precision, where every Saperavi grape is hand-harvested without the use of synthetic chemicals, and where the soil has nurtured vines for millennia. This number reminds us that great wine has a home worth remembering.
The Grape That Paints Your Glass
Saperavi translates to “dye” or “paint” in Georgian, and you’ll understand why the moment you pour it. This is one of the rare teinturier grapes—varietals with red flesh that produce intensely pigmented wine from the first press. I still remember my surprise the first time I crushed Saperavi grapes and saw ruby juice instead of the clear liquid most grapes yield. Native to Kakheti, where continental climates and ancient alluvial soils create ideal growing conditions, this grape thrives at Winery Saba’s 45.3° latitude, where dramatic temperature swings concentrate flavors while maintaining crucial acidity.
Classical Winemaking, Bio-Certified Quality
Winery Saba’s approach follows a time-honored method, enhanced by EU organic and biocertification—guaranteeing that grapes are grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. After careful hand-harvesting from their estate vineyards, grapes undergo destemming and crushing before controlled fermentation. Extended maceration—both during and after fermentation—extracts the grape’s characteristic deep color and structured tannins, resulting in a wine with a rich, complex flavor profile. Malolactic fermentation converts sharp malic acid (characterized by the tartness of green apples) into softer lactic acid, adding a creaminess. Cold stabilization at –4°C ensures no tartrate crystals form, though this can occasionally strip some aromatic complexity—a minor trade-off for stability. The union of traditional Georgian winemaking traditions with modern, clean practices yields wines that are both authentic and extraordinary.
In the Glass: Bold, Unapologetic, Delicious
Pour this 14.3% ABV beauty and watch it coat your glass with deep ruby hues edged in purple. The nose delivers blackberry compote, wild forest berries, and ripe cherry with subtle earthy undertones—like walking through a Georgian forest after rain. Full-bodied and assertive, this bio-certified Saperavi offers velvety tannins that demand respect and reward patience. This isn’t a wine for casual sipping; it commands attention. The long finish lingers with dark fruit and whispers of spice. Serve at 16–18°C alongside grilled meats, hearty stews, or aged cheeses that can stand up to its intensity. Fair warning: younger Saperavi can be tannic monsters, so decanting for 30 minutes isn’t optional—it’s essential for unlocking its full potential.
Why This Wine Matters
In an age of homogenized Cabernet flooding every wine shop, Saperavi from 45.3° offers something genuine: a taste of Georgia’s soul, grown organically in the very region where winemaking was born, crafted by keepers of a timeless tradition. This isn’t wine trying to be something it’s not—it’s proudly, defiantly Georgian, and all the better for it.
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.
