Khikhvi is one of the oldest Georgian grape varieties, which according to Georgian historian Ivane Javakhishvili is even older than the Rkatsiteli grape. In Telavi Region and Akhmeta District they are known as Jananura, a name derived from the village of Janaani in Akhmeta.
There are many varieties of Khikhvi whose names differ slightly based on the region of Georgia in which they are grown: in Racha they are called Khikhva; in Lechkhumi, Khikhvi; in Samegrelo, Khemkhu; and in Guria, Khemkho.
