George

Rkatsiteli is one of Georgia's classic indigenous white grapes, giving green apple, quince, pear and citrus carried on bright acidity. George shows peach, citrus and mineral notes with a honeyed depth, a smooth medium to full body, and a refreshing, fruity finish.

Dry. George is a dry white wine made from 100% Rkatsiteli grown in Kakheti, Georgia, at 13% alcohol.

Rkatsiteli is Georgia's most widely planted white grape and one of its oldest, with archaeological links to Georgian winemaking going back more than 3,000 years. Its name means red stem, after the color of the vine's shoots. It buds and ripens late and holds bright acidity even in warm years. In the Lanchava Collection it makes two wines, George and AI IA White.

Kakheti, Georgia's principal wine region in the east, which holds roughly 60 to 70 percent of the country's vineyard area. The Likhi Ridge shields it from Black Sea moisture, giving warm, dry summers and cold winters, while the Alazani valley tempers the vineyards below the Greater Caucasus.

Hard and soft cheeses, white meat, pasta in white sauce, and roasted vegetables.

Serve George at 8 to 10°C (46 to 50°F). Straight from the fridge is a little too cold. Give it ten minutes in the glass and the aromatics open up.

Closest familiar reference: Pinot Grigio, for the clean, dry, unoaked style, though the register is old world rather than new: minerality leads and the fruit sits behind it. Rkatsiteli is not Pinot Grigio, and it is not a light Chardonnay either. It has more body and firmer acidity, with peach, citrus and honey, and a character that comes from a variety whose lineage never left Georgia.

George is sold in the United States through Total Wine & More, typically around $17.99 for a 750ml bottle. Retail price varies by state and store.