Discovering the special secrets of Rapsani wines

It is not every day that I get to discover the special secrets of Rapsani, a Greek wine produced from indigenous grapes grown on the slopes of Greece's highest mountain, Mount Olympus. Greek wines with their impressive history are so inviting to explore.  It is without doubt that Tsantali Vineyards and Wineries Rapsani wines from their Mount Olympus vineyards, the mythical home of Greek gods, are especially intriguing.  In 1971 the Rapsani Appellation, on the southern slopes of Mount Olympus, was one of the first Greek wine regions to be given Appellation of Superior Quality. However, when it comes to Greek wines, it is the wines from indigenous grape varieties that are so appealing to explore. 

Rapsani Vineyards ©  Photo Courtesy of Tsantali Archives

Rapsani Vineyards ©  Photo Courtesy of Tsantali Archives

The Tsantali family, which has been producing wines since 1890, acquired the Rapsani Mount Olympus Vineyards in 1991. The Mount Olympus Vineyards are where the indigenous red grapes Xinomavro, Krassato, and Stavroto are grown for the production of Tsantali's Rapsani wine. 

Tsantali Wines © Spaswinefood

Rapsani Wines

Two red wines from Rapsani vineyards that I tasted were Rapsani 2009 and Rapsani Reserve 2007. These wines are made from a blend of wines produced from the indigenous grape varieties Xinomavro, Krassato and Stavroto. Rapsani 2009 is aged 12 months in oak barrels whereas Rapsani Reserve 2007 is aged three years in oak barrels.

Tsantali's Rapsani 2009 and Rapsani Reserve 2007 © Spaswinefood

Tsantali's Rapsani 2009 and Rapsani Reserve 2007 © Spaswinefood

Rapsani 2009: Rapsani 2009 is aged 12 months in oak barrels.

Tsantali's Rapsani 2009  © Spaswinefood

The following photo provides a description of this wine:

Tsantali's Rapsani 2009  © Spaswinefood

I enjoyed discovering the unique aromas and taste of Rapsani 2009. For me it is a wine that I would enjoy with spicy foods. You will find reviews of Rapsani 2009 at CellarTracker and Vivino. See also Natalie MacLean's review of Rapsani 2006. During my initial tasting I waited an hour after opening before tasting the wine. Two days later I tasted the wine again. The wine had been re-corked but received a slow aeration over the two days. In this case I loved the wine. It tasted much better than two days earlier. It was especially enjoyable with two spicy dips that I had as appetizers. It was really the second tasting after aeration that improved my opinion of this wine.

Rapsani Reserve 2007: Tsantali's Rapsani Reserve 2007 is aged three years in oak barrels.

Tsantali's  Rapsani Reserve 2007 © Spaswinefood

The following photo provides a description of this wine:

Tsantali's Rapsani Reserve 2007 © Spaswinefood

While the Rapsani Reserve 2007 had similar aromas and taste as the Rapsani 2009 I preferred the overall refineness of the Rapsani Reserve 2007. Reviews of Tsantali's Rapsani Reserve 2007 can be found at Cellertracker, Corkbin, The Globe And Mail, Snooth and Wine Align. Again before my initial tasting Rapsani Reserve 2007 I waited an hour after opening before tasting the wine. I tasted this wine again after it had been re-corked but received some aeration over one day. While the quality of the wine had improved for me the Rapsani Reserve 2007 was quite good the first time.

Tsantali's Rapsani 2009 and Rapsani Reserve 2007 © Spaswinefood

For detailed descriptions of Rapsani wines see also Fringe Wine and Markus Stolz descriptions. Quentin Sadler provides notes on the Rapsani wines he tasted. He also describes a visit to the Rapsani Vineyards.

Both of the Rapsani wines I tasted pair well with cheese, especially full flavored cheese. Rapsani wines would be a good choice for wine and cheese events. Next time you plan a wine and cheese event do not forget that Rapsani would make an excellent red wine choice. These wines are also good with spicy appetizers, such spicy Salsa or spicy Avocado dips. While Rapsani pairs well with red and other meats, vegetarians will also find Rapsani wines pair well with some dishes. The wines will pair nicely with richly flavored cheese and/or tomato based dishes and with spicy vegetarian dishes.

Greek Wine Tasting © Spaswinefood

Rapsani Mount Olympus Vineyards on the southern slope of Mount Olympus from all reports is a very special place. While it would have been great to have done this tasting in Greece it was so much fun to do the research for this article. I just know there must be a Greek goddess/god calling me to taste more Greek wines or visit a vineyard soon.  Spaswinefood is looking forward to more wine stops along the Greek Wine Trails. After all, Greece has twenty Appellations of Superior Quality and eight Appellations of Controlled Origin for dessert wine. Check out my travels at Spaswinefood. 

Sharon

July 2013

Los Gatos, California

© Spaswinefood


Spaswinefood was provided the samples used in this article. Inquiries about the purchase of these wines in the US can be made at Fantis Imports Inc. (Fantis Foods).