Today, Rkatsiteli is the most widespread grape variety in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet states, but its homeland is Georgia, where it is still well represented and is one of the most long-established grape varieties. Regardless of the location, it sprouts late and ripens late, reaching a fairly high must weight. Amazingly, it is able to retain an astonishingly high level of acidity. It is also quite resistant and robust and shows little susceptibility to Phylloxera. In the past, many of Rkatsiteli's wines were, at best, neutral and light, also based on a lack of oenological knowledge and technical know-how, but very often also flawed. In recent years, however, it has been shown that with proper treatment in the vineyard, which also includes appropriate yield regulation, as well as the use of clean, modern cellar technology, amazing, fresh, fruity white wines can be created that are vaguely reminiscent of Welschriesling or Sauvignon Blanc and should be drunk young. In addition to Georgia, the largest vineyard areas in Rkatsiteli are in Ukraine and Moldova, with around 11,000 hectares each, and over 12,000 hectares in Bulgaria. Romania also has a few hundred hectares. In the New World the Rkatsiteli is found in New York State and Virginia.
This grape variety is also known by the name of:
Andreuli Tetri’, Andreuly Tetry, Asangluri, Boudachouri, Dedali Rkatsitelli, Budashuri, Budashuri Korolyok, Budasuri, Dedeli Rkaziteli, Koroliok Rkatiteli, Koroliok Rkatsitelli, Dedali, Kakura, Dedali Rkaciteli, Dedali Rkatsiteli, Kakoura, Dedali Rkatiteli, Kukura, Gratiesti, Dedai Rkacitelli, Kakhoura, Koroliok Rkaciteli, Korolek, Khangluri, Khanlug, Mamoli Rkatsitelli, Korolioc Rkatiteli, Kurkura, Grunzinski Rkaciteli, Mamali Rkatsiteli, Mamali Rkatsitelli, Gruzinski, Gruzinskii, Gruzinszkue Rkatsitelli, Koroliok, Mamali Rkaziteli, Kukoura, Mamami Erkaciteli, Mamoli Rkaciteli, Rkatiteli, Rkatsiteli Dedali, Grousinskii, Grouzinsky, Ruzinskii, Rkatchiteli, Rikat, Rkatsiteli Gialo, Rkatsiteli Mamali, Rkatsiteli Muskatouri, Rca Tziteli, Rcatzitelli, Rcaciteli, Rcaziteli, Rkatziteli 48, Rka Tziteli, Rkachiteli Bianco, Rkaciteli, Rkatzitelli Giallo, Rkatzitelli, Rkaziteli, Rkazititeli, Rkatsitely, Rkatziteli, Rkatziteli Gelb, Rkatziteli Giallo, Rkasiteli, Topoliok, Topolek, Rkaciteli Bijeli, Topolyok, Tapolek, Rothhoelzer, Zweiabazer
