Racha

Mountainous and beset by earthquakes, upper Racha has suffered depopulation over the past decades. But its slopes and villages offer gorgeous views over rushing rivers and forests and valleys. Racha is most famous for its food, in particular nettle puree and air-dried ham, and for its myriad fresh water springs, each with a different calcium or iodine rich mineral flavor. Racha has always produced great chefs, and indeed Stalin’s personal chef was from Racha and the Great Moustache’s favorite wine was the thick red khvanchkara which is made from grape varieties uniquely found in Racha.