Rkatsiteli: Everything You Need to Know About Georgia's Most Planted White Grape

It's a mouthful to pronounce. But once you've tasted it, you'll have no trouble remembering it.

Rkatsiteli (rkah-tsee-TEH-lee) is Georgia's most widely planted white grape — and one of the most underrated white wines available in the U.S. market today. Here's what it is, what it tastes like, and why it deserves a spot on your radar.

What Is Rkatsiteli?

Rkatsiteli is an ancient white grape variety indigenous to Georgia, with roots going back at least 3,000 years. The name translates roughly as "red vine" — a reference to the grape's distinctive red-tinged stems, not its color in the glass.

It's the backbone of Georgian white winemaking. Grown primarily in the Kakheti region, it thrives in the warm, sunny valley conditions along the Alazani River, producing wines with naturally high acidity and clean, expressive fruit. It's also one of the most cold-hardy wine grapes in the world, which is why it spread across Eastern Europe and the former Soviet states — but nowhere does it perform better than in its Georgian homeland.

What Does Rkatsiteli Taste Like?

Rkatsiteli is crisp, aromatic, and genuinely food-friendly. It's not a heavy or oaky white — it's precise and refreshing, with real personality.

Expect: Green apple, citrus zest, pear, quince, and almond. Fresh expressions show bright acidity and a clean mineral finish. Skin-contact amber versions add dried apricot, orange peel, honey, and a subtle tannic grip that makes them feel closer to a light red than a conventional white.

What always shows up is that acidity — lively, clean, and mouth-watering. It's what makes Rkatsiteli so effortless with food.

Two Styles Worth Knowing in Georgia

Dry White Rkatsiteli — Made without skin contact in stainless steel or neutral oak. Light gold in color, crisp, floral, and refreshing. The everyday expression. Perfect for seafood, salads, light pasta, and warm weather drinking.

Rkatsiteli Amber (Qvevri) — Made the traditional Georgian way, with extended skin contact in buried clay qvevri vessels. Deeper in color, richer in texture, with dried fruit complexity and a firm tannic structure. A completely different experience — and one of Georgia's most distinctive wine styles.

What to Eat With Rkatsiteli

Both styles are built for the table, but they pair differently.

Dry White:

• Grilled fish and seafood

• Roast chicken and light poultry dishes

• Fresh salads with citrus dressing

• Soft cheeses and light appetizers

Amber / Qvevri:

• Walnut-based dishes — a classic Georgian pairing

• Roasted and grilled vegetables

• Aged and semi-hard cheeses

• Spiced and aromatic cuisine

Who Makes It in the Corus Portfolio?

Rkatsiteli appears across our producer range in both styles:

• Marani — produces both a clean dry white and a benchmark Rkatsiteli Qvevri from the historic Kondoli vineyards

• GRW (Georgian Royal Wine) — approachable, food-friendly dry Rkatsiteli at excellent value

• Kalo — small-batch, organically farmed Rkatsiteli with genuine terroir expression

• Rtoni — their Satiano Rkatsiteli Qvevri is one of the most elegant skin-contact expressions in the portfolio

• Vine Ponto — traditional qvevri-fermented Rkatsiteli aged in Seguin Moreau oak barrels for added complexity

• Mtevino — clean, modern style, consistently bright and fresh

Final Sip

Rkatsiteli doesn't get the attention it deserves — yet. It's versatile, food-friendly, genuinely interesting, and available at price points that make it an easy yes for any occasion.

Whether you start with a crisp dry white or go straight to a qvevri amber, Rkatsiteli is one of those grapes that earns a permanent place in your rotation.

Explore our Rkatsiteli selection at Corus.