Being separated from the continent by a mountain range of the Caucasus, Georgia received a wonderful mild climate, which is suitable for the development of viticulture. Here they grew grapes and processed it for wine in the Neolithic era. For many years, Georgia has developed its technology for the production of this product, which is valued in many countries due to unique grape varieties. One of them is "Rkatsiteli", the features of which we will consider today in the article.
Distinctive features of the variety
This grape variety is among the oldest. It is valued for its delicate bouquet of aromas. 
The "Rkatsiteli" has a grape bunch of medium size: not more than 14 centimeters long, and about 7 cm wide. It is cylindrical or cylindrical-conical in shape. In the brush berries are not tight, but not too loose.
Themselves the berries of medium size (15-18 mm long, 13-14 mm wide). On average, 100 grapes weigh 180-260 grams. They have a golden yellow color with bronze inclusions on the barrels illuminated by the sun. Thin, but strong peel covers the juicy flesh, inside which is hidden three seeds.
The vine itself is pyramidal with straight brown shoots, covered with green foliage with a bronze tint. The leaf is average, has three or five blades. On each blade there are triangular, slightly convex teeth.
Flowers bisexual and well pollinated. 
The variety "Rkatsiteli" distinguishes the following characteristics from other varieties:
- bush pyramidality;
- fossa is lyrate, wide open;
- bright color of the stem;
- there are three seeds in a berry;
- one-year-old shoots are straight, have a rich red-yellow color.
Did you know? From the Georgian "Rkatsiteli" literally translated as "red horn" or "red stem".
Nutritional value of the variety
- Calories: 60.33 kcal;
- proteins: 0.54 g;
- Fat: 0.08 g;
- carbohydrate: 14.93 g
Specifications Grade
- juice - 80%;
- ridges - 3%;
- seeds, peel, fiber pulp - 17%;
- sugar content - 17-23%;
- acidity - 7-9 g / l.
Useful properties of the variety
The benefit of the berries is that the variety is resistant to many diseases and pests, which means that it is minimally treated with pesticides. As a result, when we eat a brush, only vitamins and minerals get into our body, and there are very few harmful elements.
Grapes contain a large amount of carbohydrates, therefore, is able to quickly quench the feeling of hunger by eating the minimum amount of the product. This quality allows you to use "Rkatsiteli" in the diet menu for those who want to lose weight.
Important! Unfortunately, a large amount of sugars contained in grapes does not allow diabetics to enjoy its taste.
Features of growing
The homeland of "Rkatsiteli" is the Georgian region of Kakheti. Here it is grown the most. There are also favorable climatic conditions for grapes in the southern regions of Ukraine, Russia, Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, Macedonia, Azerbaijan and some states on the east coast of America. 
Based on the geography of the distribution of the variety, its growth requires a mild subtropical climate with sufficient precipitation. The temperature should be on average + 23-25 ° С during the summer period, and in the winter it should not fall below zero. But if it will be even colder in winter, it is not terrible for grapes: it is cold-resistant.
The frost-resistant grape varieties include such as Kishmish, Zabava, Ilya Muromets, Lancelot, Buffet, Rumba, Raspberry Super, Isabella.
But drought does not tolerate, as the scorching sun. To fully ripen the berries, they need 155-160 days with a temperature of 2950-3000 degrees.
Yield
The variety has a rather high yield - 150 kg / ha. Unfortunately, this indicator is not always stable: it is influenced by weather conditions, the number of fruitful shoots is also not constant.
In one year there may be 70% of the total on one bush, in the other - 20%. Buds on the bush appear late, so the harvest has to be collected in October. 
Planting and Care Tips
- "Rkatsiteli" loves sandy and loamy soils.
- If your region has a hot summer, then the vineyard is better placed on the northern slopes. This will not allow the berries to ripen too quickly.
- The site should be wet, but drained soil.
- Since the vine is upright, its fruit arrows must be positioned horizontally in order for the clusters to receive the necessary amount of sunlight.
- It is necessary to thin out the bush in time. It should be 28-30 fruitful shoots with 50-60 eyes. On one fruit arrow should be 12 eyes.
Diseases and pests
The main pests of grapes are leafworms and spider mites. The first need to fight with insecticides - for example, "Fufanon-Nova", "Aliot", "Inta-Vir", "Decis", "Alatar". They sprayed the plant before and after flowering.
It is also necessary to clean and destroy plant residues in time. With ticks are struggling with the help of acaricides: "Tiovit Jet", "Akarin", "Kleschevit", "Fitoverm". Still need time to tie shoots and remove the affected parts of the bush.
Among the diseases, the variety is highly susceptible to the attack of powdery mildew. For prophylaxis, it is necessary to spray plantings with fungicides (“Tiovit Jet”, “Topaz”, “Strobe”). For treatment use "Tiovit Jet", spraying them bushes every 10 days. 
Above the average resistance of the variety to downy mildew and gray rot. Mealy dew is fought with the help of "HOM", "Oxyhom", "Abiga-Pik". They are treated with a plant 3-6 times a week. For prophylaxis use fungicides "Chorus", "Ridomil Gold", "Strobe" before and after flowering.
As prevention and treatment of rot, it is necessary to use "Alirin", "Trichoderma Veride", "Fitosporin".
Use in cooking and winemaking
"Rkatsiteli" is a universal variety. It is consumed fresh, canned, frozen, used to make sweets, jams, jams, compotes, juices, wine, brandy, brandy.
You will also be interested to learn how to make raisins from grapes, jam, wine, grape juice, champagne from grape leaves.
There are two technologies for making wine from this variety:
- European. Grape juice wanders without oilcake (seed, branches). Red wine wort may contain peel. For white, the wort is being cleaned. The final product has a mild aftertaste and slight tartness.
- Kakheti. The berries are processed along with the ridges, which give a tartness to the drink, but leave a pleasant taste and a brighter fruit and berry aroma. The wines obtained using this technology are considered to be very beneficial for the body, but if they have gone through all the stages of production.
The following wines are made from "Rkatsiteli":
- Rkatsiteli;
- Tibaani;
- Alazani Valley;
- Gareji
Mixing with other varieties receive:
- Vazisubani;
- Gurjaani;
- Tbilisuri;
- Tsinandali;
- Hereti.
Did you know? As of 2011, Georgian wines were exported to 40 countries.
"Rkatsiteli" grows better in its homeland, in Kakheti. The colder climate makes the grapes more tart - because of this, it loses its unique taste. Therefore, when growing a variety in your own area of a bunch, it is better to use it only in cooking, but not in winemaking.
Feedback from network users
