Telavi Marani Rkatsiteli 2013
The Telavi Marani Rkatsiteli was another great find at Rind. I’m seeing Georgian wine in more and more shops here in Istanbul. However Rind (Kadıköy) has by far the best prices. For this bottle I paid only 39 TL; an unheard of low price for an import!
Rkatsi-what?
Rkatsiteli is the most ubiquitous of white Georgian grapes. It also has the scariest name for foreigners. Vintners use it to make all styles of wine: steel tank, oaked, or as an amber wine made in qvevri. It can also be made into sweet or fortified wines but I’ve not run across any of those. Native to Imereti, Rkatsiteli is grown widely across Georgia.
According to Wine Compass: the grape is thought to have originated in the Caucasus Mountains and is widely grown throughout Georgia, Azerbaijan, Moldavia, Ukraine as well as Bulgaria and Romania. People have even been growing it in small batches in the US since the 90s.
Telavi Wine Cellar is a Kakheti-based winery that produces a range of wines made from native Georgian grapes. They range of wines they produce is extensive. Which is not a surprise really. Telavi Wine Cellers was established in 1915 so they’ve had a long time to work on their production.
Telavi Marani Rkatsiteli 2013 Tasting Notes
After hand picking the grapes they are cold pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks. As much as I like (red) wines that have been oaked and enjoy what qvevri ageing does sometimes it’s nice to be able to experience the “naked” grape as it were.
The nose was full of yellow fruits: pears, quince, yellow apple, and a hint of honey. On the palate it was clean and refreshing with slightly tart acid and a longish finish. Flavors mimicked the nose but with the spicy addition of nutmeg. Somewhat similar to a Gewürztramiener.