2018 Teliani Valley Guardians Rkatsiteli

Wine history in the country of Georgia, which borders Armenia, goes back about 8,000 years. For JSC Teliani Valley winery, it all started in only 1997, but they carry on a proud tradition. The Rkatsiteli grape is ubiquitous in this part of Georgia and it’s believed it has been planted for several thousand years. The 2018 Guardians is rather light in style, typical of the grape, and there are delicate notes of white peach, quince, hints of jasmine, apricot, very light lemon-lime kefir, browned butter and a nice acidity. This is one of those types of wines that doesn’t announce itself and pulls focus - in fact if anything it would be a great complement to a diversity of foods given the fact that it really does not command center stage. One thing that’s often overlooked in wine is that wine can be a supporting player on the dinner table. Not only does this wine work with food, but drinking it supports the continuum of wine in Georgia and its stunning history.

ORIGIN: Kakheti, Georgia

PAIR WITH: Chicken curry; garlic-lemon risotto; grilled veal cutlets

ALCOHOL: 12.5%

PRICE: $13 /750 ml

SCORE: 90 POINTS

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