Rkatsiteli (Georgian Republic)
Rkatsiteli is Georgia’s most widely planted grape and incredibly versatile.
It thrives best in the Kakheti region, where it produces both Dry white wines and Qvevri wines.
Rkatsiteli Qvevri Flavors
 Lemon Zest |
 Orange Zest |
 Mandarin |
 Orange |
 Apricot |
 Jasmine |
 Herbs |
 Saffron |
 Fig |
 Honey |
 Black Tea |
 Walnuts |
Profile
Rkatsiteli Qvevri is most often full bodied, with good fruit and medium acidity.
| SUGAR: | Dry (3 g/l) |
| BODY: | Full |
| TANNINS: | Medium |
| FRUIT: | Medium - High |
| ACIDITY: | Medium |
| ALCOHOL: | 13-14% ABV |
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Serving temperature: 14-16°C (57-61°F) |
Rkatsiteli Qvevri Food Pairing
Rkatsiteli Qvevri is very food friendly.
 Finger Food |
 Ham |
 Charcuterie |
 Onion Soup |
 Chicken |
 Duck |
 Pork |
 Lamb |
Excellent Pairings
Tapas. Charcuterie.
Roasted Meat. Pork. Lamb. Duck.
Mushrooms. Onions. Garlic.
Hearty Vegetable Stews.
Roasted Eggplant. Roasted Wild Mushrooms.
Hazelnuts. Cashew. Pecans. Coconut.
Spiced Middle Eastern or Indian cuisine.
Hard or Aged Cheese.
Georgian Specialities
Bazhe (Dishes with walnut sauce).Satsivi (Chicken in Walnut Garlic Sauce).
Ajapsandali (Georgian Ratatouille).
Khinkali (Georgian Dumplings).
The Ideal Glass for Rkatsiteli Qvevri
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The Chardonnay Glass was designed for enjoying full-bodied white wines. They have a wider bowl and a tapered top to enhance the buttery and oaky notes found in aged wines. The wide bowl steers the wine to the sensitive parts of the tongue, ensuring that the acidity creates a harmonious balance with the sweet aromas of the wine. The wide bowl allows the full bouquet of aromas to develop. It also reduces the risk for over-concentrated aromas. |
Rkatsiteli Qvevri Cheese Pairing
Brie or Camembert
These creamy, rich cheeses complement the full, round mouthfeel of a full-bodied Rkatsiteli Qvevri. The buttery flavors in both the wine and the cheese enhance each other beautifully.
Gruyère and Comté
The nutty, slightly sweet flavors of these cheeses pair well with the complex fruit and oak characteristics of a full-bodied white wine. The firm cheese texture adds a pleasant contrast to the richness of the wine.
Munster And Époisses
A rich and pungent washed-rind cheese provides a bold contrast to the refinement of a full-bodied Rkatsiteli Qvevri.
Aged Gouda
Aged Gouda, with its caramel and butterscotch notes, matches the depth and complexity of a full-bodied Rkatsiteli Qvevri. The wine’s acidity helps balance the cheese’s rich flavors.Havarti
The creamy and mild flavor of Havarti pairs well with the rich and buttery texture of a full-bodied Rkatsiteli Qvevri, making for a delightful and balanced pairing.
Aged Cheeses
The crystalline texture and savory, nutty flavor of aged chesses will complement the undertones of a full-bodied Rkatsiteli Qvevri.
If You Like Rkatsiteli Qvevri
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Georgian Grapes
Rkatsiteli
About Rkatsiteli
Rkatsiteli is the most cultivated grape in Georgia, growing in around 40% of all vineyards.
Rkatsiteli’s resistance to cold temperatures, has made it to one of the favourite grapes in Eastern Europe.
it was the most widely planted grape variety in the Soviet Union, responsible for 18% of all Soviet wine production in 1978.
Rkatsiteli is used to produce different wine styles from sparkling wines, dessert wines and fortified wines to dry single varietal whites.
Fun Facts
Rkatsiteli was the first vine planted by Noah after the flood. Legend or not, it is at least a couple of thousands years old, being one of the most ancient grapes in the world.
Traces of Rkatsiteli grape were discovered on ancient Georgian qvevri (amphorae) which date back to 3,000 BC.