Ramaz Soulikouri 2024 750ml

This wine’s name is a play on words: at first glance, it appears to be a misspelling of its grape, the local variety Tsolikouri; Ramaz is said to have removed the “T” as the wine bucks local tradition by incorporating skin contact.

It’s also an homage to Ramaz’s late friend and mentor, Soliko Tsaishvili, who first taught him the skin contact method of winemaking. In Georgian, “Solikouri” reads as “From Soliko.”

Grapes: Tsolikouri

Vineyard: Clay soil, 10-50 year old vines. Organically farmed.

Making of (2024): Grapes are hand-harvested and destemmed. The clusters of fruit are fermented in kvevri with skins on for an extended maceration of 5 months; wine is then racked to stainless for another 5 months before bottling.

Making of (2023): Grapes are hand-harvested and destemmed. The clusters of fruit are then fermented in kvevri with skins on for an extended maceration of 5 months; Ramaz occasionally moves the cap with his hand, but otherwise hardly touches the juice. The wine is then racked to stainless for another 4-5 months before bottling.

-Jenny and Francois Selections