Wine of the Month

Dr. Frank's Rkatsiteli, 2001
Dr. Konstantin Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars

9749 Middle Road
Hammondsport, NY 14840

800-320-0735

Comment:

Dr. Konstantin Frank was the man who believed European vinifera grapes could be grown in the Finger Lakes.  He turned his belief into a winery of his own, and sparked the growth of the fine wine industry in New York.  Along the way, he produced some  fine wines of his own, and we are happy to say his family continues the tradition.

You are probably not familiar with Rkatsiteli, the white wine or the grape.  Neither were we until we came to Dr. Frank's.  Although it is widely planted in Eastern Europe, this is close to the only winery in the United States to grow the grape and produce the wine.  The winery describes it as being somewhat like a Riesling that lingers on the palate, with a spicy taste that reminds people of a Gewurtztraminer.  We just think of it as good.

There was one problem, though; we only bought a single bottle for ourselves and one for a gift.  A month later, we had consumed ours, and the winery regularly sells out of their annual vintage of Rkatsiteli.  If you get the chance, give it a try.  We are sure you'll like it.