{"id":3116,"date":"2019-11-05T11:12:01","date_gmt":"2019-11-05T15:12:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/?p=3116"},"modified":"2024-08-25T20:35:07","modified_gmt":"2024-08-26T00:35:07","slug":"daveste-vineyards-rkatsiteli-vertical-tasting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/daveste-vineyards-rkatsiteli-vertical-tasting\/","title":{"rendered":"Davest\u00e9 Vineyards Rkatsiteli Vertical Tasting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Davest\u00e9 Vineyards’ Tasting Room<\/p><\/div>\n

We recently held a vertical tasting of Rkatsiteli from Davest\u00e9 Vineyards<\/a> in Troutman, NC. \u00a0We first reviewed Davest\u00e9’s Rkatsiteli several years ago (Previous Review<\/a>). \u00a0Davest\u00e9 produces the only known single variety Rkatsiteli in North Carolina. \u00a0It’s become their signature wine.<\/p>\n

Davest\u00e9 opened in September, 2007. \u00a0The grapes were first planted in 2005. \u00a0Owners Dave and Ester DeFehr, whose combined first names are the inspiration for the Davest\u00e9’s name, first began plans for the vineyard and winery in 2003. \u00a0Land was purchased in 2004. \u00a0Today, in addition to Rkatsiteli, Davest\u00e9 grows Traminette and Chambourcin. \u00a0Most other fruit is sourced locally within North Carolina with some coming from Virginia and California. \u00a0<\/p>\n

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Rkatsiteli grapes nearly ready for harvest at Davest\u00e9 Vineyards<\/p><\/div>\n

Rkatsiteli is thought of have originated in the country of Georgia and is believed to be one of oldest vinifera varieties. \u00a0It’s typically known for producing high acid wines. \u00a0It’s gaining popularity in the Finger Lakes region of New York and in Virginia. \u00a0<\/p>\n

We inquired how Rkatsiteli does here in North Carolina. \u00a0Winemaker Leslie Johnson tells us, “In the vineyard, Rkatsiteli is pretty easy to manage. It likes to grow straight up instead of sprawling like a hybrid. The main disease we fight every year is downy mildew for this varietal. We like to harvest these grapes a bit earlier than others to help retain the acidity.” \u00a0<\/p>\n

She added, “In the past, all of our Rkatsiteli has been fermented and aged in stainless steel. With our increased yields in 2019, we currently have some Rkatsiteli aging in French oak barrels to try something new.” \u00a0We can’t wait to taste a barrel aged Rkasiteli!<\/p>\n

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We tasted the 2015 – 2018 vintages of Rkatsiteli from Davest\u00e9. \u00a0Here are our notes and information about each wine.<\/p>\n

2015<\/p>\n

    \n
  • 100% Rkatsiteli<\/li>\n
  • 12.5% Alcohol<\/li>\n
  • Bronze Medal Winner at the Mid-Atlantic Southeastern Wine Competition<\/li>\n
  • Nose: \u00a0Pear, lemon rind, and honey<\/li>\n
  • Palate: \u00a0Bruised pear, preserved lemon rind, pithy<\/li>\n
  • Finish: \u00a0Medium<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    2016<\/p>\n

      \n
    • 100% Rkatsiteli<\/li>\n
    • 13.5% Alcohol<\/li>\n
    • Nose: \u00a0Faint pear and light honey; Delicate and refined<\/li>\n
    • Palate: \u00a0Fresh pear and zesty lemon<\/li>\n
    • Finish: \u00a0Medium+<\/li>\n
    • Favorite overall<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      2017<\/p>\n

        \n
      • 100% Rkatsiteli<\/li>\n
      • 12.8% Alcohol<\/li>\n
      • Double Gold Medal Winner at the Mid-Atlantic Southeastern Wine Competition and Silver Medal Winner at NC State Fair<\/li>\n
      • Nose: \u00a0Floral, minerally, and honeysuckle<\/li>\n
      • Palate: Minerally with notes of lemon<\/li>\n
      • Finish: \u00a0Short and tart<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        2018<\/p>\n

          \n
        • 100% Rkatsiteli<\/li>\n
        • 12.8% Alcohol<\/li>\n
        • Silver Medal Winner at the Mid-Atlantic Southeastern Wine Competition and Double Gold Medal Winner at NC State Fair<\/li>\n
        • Nose: \u00a0Perfumy, pronounced honeysuckle, sweet pear<\/li>\n
        • Palate: \u00a0Rose petals, lemon, lime, fresh and vibrant<\/li>\n
        • Finish: \u00a0Medium+<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Davest\u00e9 suggests pairing their Rkatsiteli with pad Thai, shrimp scampi, or ch\u00e8vre. \u00a0We had spinach pie, roasted vegetables with a lemon tahini sauce and various cheeses. \u00a0Rkatsiteli should do well with most vegetables and seafood.<\/p>\n

          If you’ve ever in the Troutman \/ Lake Norman area, stop by and visit Davest\u00e9. \u00a0Their beautiful grounds are the perfect place to relax. \u00a0In addition to wine, Davest\u00e9 produces beer and has many live music events throughout the year, but be sure to pick up a bottle of Rkatsiteli while you’re there!<\/p>\n

          Cheers!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[380],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3116","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-north-carolina-wine","no-thumb"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3116","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3116"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3116\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3130,"href":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3116\/revisions\/3130"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3116"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3116"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3116"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}