Saperavi is an important wine variety in Georgia, where it reportedly accounts for 80% of all red wine production. Saperavi (clone I11V10) was identified by the wine industry as having potential for the development of premium WA wine. Vines were therefore planted in Manjimup in 2003 and evaluated for fruit and wine production from 2007 to 2010.
Saperavi at Manjimup
Saperavi vines displayed poor and slow establishment in trials, producing small canopies with low yields. However, the variety produces very loose bunches of fruit that are low in disease with a deep, inky red fruit colour. Approaching harvest maturity, Saperavi fruit shrivels to a high degree. Berry shrivel can be high in later ripening years, resulting in reduced yield.
| Budburst (E-L 4) | Full bloom (E-L 23) | Veraison (E-L 35) | Harvest (E-L 38) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early September | Early December | Mid-February | Mid-late April |
Saperavi fruit has ripe, rich and concentrated berry and plum flavours. Wines are deep and inky in colour; the aroma is lifted with floral violet tones, cherry and citrus. Wines are medium-bodied, have supple tannins with blackberry and cherry flavours.
| Productivity | Medium | Berry weight | Medium |
| Bunch weight | Medium | Fruit yield/vine | 7.4kg |
| Disease susceptibility | Low | Equivalent yield | 12.3t/ha |
| Bunch compaction | Low | Vigour | Medium |
| Juice TSS (°Brix) | 26.6 | Juice Baumé | 14.8 |
| Juice pH | 3.3 | Juice TA g/L | 8.1 |
Wine sensory assessment
Results from a consumer survey showed that 85% of respondents liked the aroma, 96% liked the flavour, 96% liked the body, 91% liked the style and 96% found the variety to have commercial potential.
Wine judging results
| 2009 Winemakers Panel | 2010 Timber Towns Wine Show | 2010 Qantas Wine Show | 2011 Timber Towns Wine Show |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17.0 | 15.9 | 15.9 | 16.3 |
Saperavi produced in 2012 was also awarded a silver medal at the Geographe Wine Show in 2014.