🍇 Rkatsiteli

Rkatsiteli is an old white grape from Kakheti in eastern Georgia. Its name means «red stem»: «rka» is vine and «tsiteli» is red. The VIVC catalogue lists 73 synonyms for it and marks it as both a wine grape and a table grape.

According to the National Wine Agency of Georgia, it is the country's main white variety: 43% of all vineyards, over 20 thousand ha (2014). Rkatsiteli is grown all over Kakheti and also in Kartli. It ripens late, in early October, and in Kakheti it is fairly resistant to downy mildew.

Rkatsiteli wine is made in two ways: by the European method and in clay qvevri. Winemakers often add 15–20% Mtsvane Kakhuri to it — this is how the wines of the Tsinandali, Gurjaani and Vazisubani appellations are made. Rkatsiteli is also the main grape of the fortified wine Kardenakhi.

The variety has long been grown outside Georgia too. According to VIVC, in 2009 it covered 12,631 ha in Bulgaria, 11,552 ha in Ukraine and 11,508 ha in Moldova. In Georgia itself the catalogue recorded 19,503 ha in 2004.

Why it matters to you. Rkatsiteli from qvevri and Rkatsiteli made by the European method are very different wines. As the agency describes them, qvevri wine is more powerful and moderately tannic, while the European style is lighter, with floral notes, citrus, quince and apple. Tsinandali or Gurjaani on a label are not grapes but appellations. White wine is served at 4–10 °C.