This ancient vinifera originates in Georgia and is supposed to be one of the oldest grape varieties.

Before President Gorbachev's vine pull scheme, it was possibly the world's most widely planted white wine grape.

There were many attempts to create a sparkling wine from the grape, but its naturally high alcohol levels prevented it from being much of a success.

[1] The grape is mostly planted in its ancestral home of Georgia, though there are still sizable plantings in other Eastern European countries like Russia, Armenia, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, and North Macedonia, Azerbaijan and Ukraine.

[1] Rkatsiteli makes a noticeably acidic, balanced white wine with spicy and floral notes in the aroma.