Rkatsiteli

Rkatsiteli — 'red cane' — is a white variety from Kakheti and the most widely planted grape in Georgia; it is also widely grown in Kartli and, abroad, in Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The grape holds its acidity even when ripe and high in sugar, so it suits every style: light European-style whites, tannic amber wines fermented on the skins in qvevri, and fortified wines. It is the backbone of the Tsinandali, Gurjaani and Vazisubani PDOs, where it is usually blended with Mtsvane Kakhuri.