Mtsvane and Rkatsiteli

The meaning of Mtsvane Kakhuri is ‘green from Kakheti’. This is a very old indigenous grape variety from the Kakheti region in south-eastern Georgia, often referred to simply as Mtsvane.

It has a long history, first mentioned in the fifth century. The vine is moderately vigorous and productive, with late budding and mid-ripening, able to achieve high sugar level while retaining acidity. However, it is susceptible to powdery mildew.

Often blended with up to 15% Rkatsiteli to produce the white wine within the Manavi appellation in Georgia, the wine has typically fresh citrus aromas, some tropical fruit, and relatively high alcohol and crisp acidity.

The variety is found mainly in the villages of Manavi and Tsinandali within the Kakheti region, but also found in Ukraine, Russia, Moldova and Armenia. There are 240 hectares in Georgia in 2004. Recommended producers include Badagoni, Telavi Wine Cellar and Teliani Valley.

Rkatsiteli is another ancient grape variety, with its name coming from the appearance of the vine, with rka meaning vine shoot, and tsiteli meaning red. The history can also be traced back to the fifth century.

The berries are medium sized, with high sugar level while keeping the acidity. The vine has good resistance to phylloxera and cold winter temperature. It is the most widely planted variety in Georgia, but now considerably less because of Gorbachev’s vine pull scheme.

The best wines come from the Kakheti region, and it is not just for table wine, but also used to make fortified wines. Best producers include Alaverdi Monastery, Pheasant’s Tears and Vinoterra.

The style tends to be lightly floral with some stone fruit, apple or quince, crisp acidity and lots of fruit. It is very popular in the ex-Soviet states, because of the productivity, cold hardiness and retaining of acidity.

Apart from Georgia, the grape is planted in Ukraine, Moldova and Russia, also are the most widely planted. It appears under the name Baiyu in China, now widely grown in northern China.