Dzelshavi & Tsolikouri, Samegrelo, Georgia

An earthen, salty Georgian offering of serious significance. Keto Ninidze is not only at the forefront of a new generation of Georgian winemakers, she’s also an activist and an author, penning no less than three books on Georgian literature and another on wine called A Gently Fermenting Revolution: Women in the Georgian Wine Business – she’s a big deal and we recommend adding this to your 2026 ‘To Read’ list! ‘Maro’ is a red-white co-fermentation of organic plots of 65-year-old, spiced, gamay-esque dzelshavi (60%) from the village of Bostana in Racha, and 35-year-old, citric, orchardly tsolikouri (40%) from the village of Bangveti in Imereti. The dzelshavi is partially macerated on the skins for a week to build hue, aromatic and tannins, and everything is fermented and aged in quevri (amphora) for eight months to pull its own resolve from the depths of the earth. HISTORICAL FACT! The wine is named after Georgian national heroine, Maro (Maria) Makashvili who died as a nurse during Soviet occupation of Georgia at the age of 16. Maro wrote a diary about her dream of wanting to study agriculture in France, and to settle in one of the villages of Georgia where she would plant big vineyards and gardens. The label of this wine, painted by Keto’s nine-year-old daughter (also Maria) shows Maro living out her dream  – we’re not crying, you’re crying! <3. FACT TWO! There’s also Maro's short slogan, “გავიმარჯვებთ სახელოვნად!”, translating to “We will win gloriously”, in the top right of the label, which was sourced from her diaries and used to unify Georgian protesters during the current protests against the pro-Russian regime. Yummy dirt, like dry churned earth – this we associate heavily with the influence of amphora – so savoury, but not overwhelming the tart cherry and purple koolaid fruit, purple coneflowers, bee propolis, woven and wrapped herbs, salt & a textural smoothness, profoundly unique and delectable just you WAIT! Enjoy alongside watching your favourite feminist film of all time.