From: Tsinandali, Kakheti, Georgia
Varietal: Rkatsiteli
Taste: This is a luminous pale golden color, flecked with green highlights. On the nose, it bursts with a lively bouquet of citrus fruits, including zesty lemon and lime, intertwined with crisp green apple and succulent white peach. Subtle floral hints of acacia and orange blossom add an elegant lift, while underlying almond and wet stone notes provide depth and complexity. The palate is equally expressive, delivering a vibrant medley of citrus and stone fruit flavors, underscored by a refreshing acidity that gives the wine its crisp, clean profile. A delicate thread of honeyed richness balances the bright fruit, while its mineral-driven core evokes Kakheti's clay and limestone soils. The finish is long and refreshing, leaving a lingering impression of citrus zest and a whisper of nuttiness.
Pairing: Its crispness works well with light and fresh dishes such as seafood or salads, while its vibrant acidity can balance creamy or mildly rich dishes. Simple yet flavorful ingredients allow the wine’s complexity to shine, and regional Georgian cuisine naturally complements its traditional character. Excellent pairings include grilled lemon-herb trout, where the wine’s citrus freshness enhances the delicate fish while its minerality complements the smoky, herbal notes. With its creamy cheese filling, Georgian khachapuri finds a perfect partner in Rkatsiteli’s acidity, which cuts through the richness and refreshes the palate. For a more exotic option, Thai green papaya salad balances the wine’s vibrant acidity and citrus notes with the dish’s tangy, spicy, and slightly sweet flavors, creating a refreshing and harmonious pairing.
Khachapuri Adjaruli (Georgian Cheese Bread Boat)
Recipe from Carla Capalbo
Adapted by Daniela Galarza, NYT Cooking
About: Mildiani Family Winery, established in 1991 by the four Mildiani brothers—Eldari, Levani, Leri, and Pridoni—fuses ancient Georgian winemaking traditions with modern techniques. The brothers began by acquiring and exporting locally produced wine to Russia, laying the foundation for their future endeavors.
The brothers recognized the growth potential and constructed a wine bottling facility in Mtskheta, Georgia. To distinguish their products, they established a ceramic workshop producing unique clay wine bottles, marking the first commercial use of such packaging in post-Soviet Georgia.
