Georgian wine PDO
Okhureshis Usakhelouri
3 min
Overview
Usakhelauri is one of Georgia's most exclusive and coveted PDOs (Protected Designations of Origin), producing naturally semi-sweet red wines from the extraordinarily rare Usakhelauri (უსახელაური) grape. The name literally means “nameless” - a poetic reference to a variety so ancient and unique that no one could assign it another title.
Grown only on a few steep, terraced vineyards in Lechkhumi, this grape yields minuscule harvests of intensely aromatic, vividly colored wine that ranks among the most expensive and sought-after in Georgia. Usakhelauri is often described as the “mountain velvet” of Georgian wine - delicate, perfumed, and layered, with natural sweetness balanced by alpine freshness.
Geography & climate
The Usakhelauri PDO lies in the Tsageri municipality of Lechkhumi, encompassing the villages of Okureshi, Zubi, and Isunderi along the Tskhenistskali River valley, at elevations between 450 and 700 meters. Vineyards cling to narrow, rocky terraces on limestone and shale soils, many with slopes exceeding 30-40°, making mechanized farming nearly impossible.
The climate is humid subtropical with mountain moderation - warm days and cool nights. The extended autumns allow Usakhelauri grapes to develop high sugar and aromatic concentration, while retaining bright acidity due to the altitude.
Authorized grape varieties
- უსახელაური - 100%
This is one of Georgia's rarest indigenous varieties, with total plantings covering fewer than 10 hectares nationwide.
Wine styles & characteristics
- Color: deep ruby to purple
- Aroma: rose petal, violet, wild strawberry, cherry, and subtle spice
- Taste: medium-bodied, naturally semi-sweet, silky texture, vibrant acidity
- Alcohol: 11-12%
- Aging: stainless steel or neutral oak to preserve fragrance
Usakhelauri wines are prized for their purity, perfume, and grace, standing apart from heavier semi-sweet reds through their lifted aromatics and seamless balance.
Taste profile
- Aromas: wild rose, raspberry, cherry compote, and delicate floral spice
- Palate: smooth, fresh, and perfectly balanced between sweetness and acidity
- Finish: elegant, long, with fine mineral and floral notes lingering
Usakhelauri exemplifies precision and restraint - a semi-sweet wine that behaves like a fine dry red, finishing clean and refreshing rather than sticky.
Production rules
According to the National Wine Agency of Georgia:
- Grapes must originate exclusively from the Usakhelauri microzone
- Maximum yield: 6 tons/ha
- Only naturally semi-sweet red wine permitted
- Alcohol: 10.5-12%
- Minimum maturation: 6 months before release
Food pairing
Usakhelauri's refined sweetness and aromatics make it ideal with:
- Duck, venison, or pork with berry-based sauces
- Aged cheeses or blue cheese
- Bittersweet chocolate or fruit tarts
- As a stand-alone wine for contemplation or dessert
Serve slightly cool, at 14-15 °C, to emphasize florality and freshness.
Summary
Usakhelauri PDO (უსახელაური) stands as Georgia's rarest and most ethereal semi-sweet red. Cultivated on perilous mountain terraces and crafted in minute quantities, it captures an unmatched sense of delicacy and grace. With its vivid fruit, perfumed bouquet, and perfect natural balance, Usakhelauri is not merely a wine - it is an expression of reverence for place, patience, and the artistry of scarcity.