The Rkatsiteli
Grape
One of the oldest grape varieties, native to Georgia, producing aromatic white wines with high acidity, featuring flavors of green apple, pear, and earthy notes, often made in traditional qvevri, contributing to the rich heritage of Georgian winemaking.
Rkatsiteli
Grape History
Rkatsiteli is a white grape variety that is native to Georgia, which is often considered one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world. This ancient grape is believed to have been cultivated in Georgia for over 3,000 years, making it one of the oldest grape varieties still in existence today.
The name "Rkatsiteli" translates to "red stem" in Georgian, a reference to the reddish color of the vine's stalks. Despite its name, Rkatsiteli is used primarily in the production of white wines. This grape is known for its high acidity and versatile nature, allowing winemakers to produce a wide range of wine styles, from dry to semi-sweet.
Rkatsiteli is a cold-hardy grape variety that is well-suited to cooler climates, making it a popular choice for wine-growing regions with harsh winters. It is widely grown in Eastern Europe, particularly in Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, and parts of Central Asia. Rkatsiteli is also cultivated in other countries such as the United States and Australia, where winemakers are beginning to experiment with this unique grape variety.
In Georgia, Rkatsiteli is often used to produce traditional amber wines, known as "qvevri wines" or "orange wines." These wines are made using ancient winemaking techniques, including fermenting the grape must in clay vessels called qvevris, resulting in complex and bold flavors with a distinctive amber hue.
Rkatsiteli is also used to make dry white wines that are crisp and refreshing, with flavors of citrus, green apple, and floral notes. In recent years, some winemakers have started blending Rkatsiteli with other grape varieties to create more complex and modern styles of wine.
The future of Rkatsiteli looks promising as more winemakers are recognizing its potential to create unique and high-quality wines. With its ancient roots and adaptability to different winemaking techniques, Rkatsiteli is gaining popularity among wine enthusiasts who seek out lesser-known grape varieties and distinctive wine styles.
Overall, Rkatsiteli is a fascinating grape variety with a rich history and a bright future in the world of wine. Its versatility and ability to thrive in diverse climates make it an exciting grape variety to watch as it continues to evolve and make its mark on the global wine scene.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel