Definition: Rkatsiteli

The Russian word simply means red vine, whereas it is actually a white grape variety. Grown on a very large scale in Russia and all the countries of the former Eastern Bloc, it produces a wine full of character, rich in acidity, with a spicy, floral aroma and generally a pronounced sweetness. In Georgia, this grape variety is used to make products similar to sherry and cognac. It is also an international grape variety, as it is grown in New York State, California, China and Eastern Europe.