It was like a dream come true here I was traveling the Wine Roads of Northern Greece. Our next stop would be for a Rapsani Wine Adventure. Even though I had tasted a few Rapsani wines before there is nothing like tasting wine on the mountain where the grapes are grown. A vineyard visit was indeed the perfect opportunity to learn about Rapsani wines. For me no wine tasting room experience can compare to a visit to a wine region. This wine adventurer's burning desire to learn more about these wines certainly hit a new high that day.
A Rapsani Wine Adventure
It was close to mid-day when we boarded the 4x4's to head into the Olympus Mountains, known as the mountain of the gods.
Rapsani's vineyards on the slopes of Mount Olympus are divided into three zones (A, B & C) based primarily on altitude. Our first stop was at the mid-level vineyard, Zone B (250-500 meters). Mount Olympus is where the indigenous red grapes Xinomavro, Krassato, and Stavroto are grown for the production of Tsantali's Rapsani wine. Rapsani is a blend of these three grapes.
Even though the grapes had already been picked it was indeed special to take in the vineyard views on that autumn day.
Before exploring the vineyard we were poured a welcoming Rapsani Grand Reserve 2008.
As I sipped my glass of Rapsani Grand Reserve 2008 I was in awe of my surroundings.
Later, we continued on up the mountain towards Zone C (500+ meters). We stopped to view an historic church before the wine tasting.
We took a look inside the church. It was amazing to discover the beauty inside.
We were told that this historical church is stilled used for some special services throughout the year.
Tasting Rapsani Wines
There in the beautiful mountains, overlooking the nearby town of Rapsani, we did a wine tasting.
Our wine tasting included Rapsani wines 1997-2005 and Rapsani Reserve 2007-2011.
Our hosts also provided the most wonderful collection of cheeses to go along with an excellent wine tasting.
To be honest on a normal wine country day this wine tasting with cheese would make my day. These were awesome wines and cheeses. But this was not a normal wine country day, it was indeed a day with the Greek wine goddess on Mount Olympus.
Dining with Rapsani Wines
Yes, after the wine tasting we had a late lunch in the nearby town.
Lunch was amazing. It included salads.
There were also courses that included cheese and meats.
We brought the wines from the tasting with us for lunch.
Lunch that day was absolutely delicious. Greek wine and food and hospitality is amazing. I so enjoyed the wine conversations that day over lunch.
It is not every day that I get to taste Rapsani wine on the slopes of Greece's highest mountain, Mount Olympus. I was delighted that the Greek goddess of wine had invited me to Tsantali's Rapsani vineyard. 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. The Tsantali family, which has been producing wines since 1890, acquired the Rapsani Mount Olympus Vineyards in 1991. However, when it comes to Greek wines, it is Tsantali wines from indigenous grape varieties, like Xinomavro, that is so very special.
I invite you to check out my travels on the Wine Roads of Northern Greece and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
 |
| Tasting Rapsani © Spaswinefood |
It was close to mid-day when we boarded the 4x4's to head into the Olympus Mountains, known as the mountain of the gods.
 |
| Wine Adventure Rapsani Style © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Rapsani Wine Adventure © Spaswinefood |
Rapsani's vineyards on the slopes of Mount Olympus are divided into three zones (A, B & C) based primarily on altitude. Our first stop was at the mid-level vineyard, Zone B (250-500 meters). Mount Olympus is where the indigenous red grapes Xinomavro, Krassato, and Stavroto are grown for the production of Tsantali's Rapsani wine. Rapsani is a blend of these three grapes.
 |
| Rapsani Vineyard © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Autumn, Rapsani Vineyard © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Rapsani Grand Reserve 2008 © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Rapsani Time © Spaswinefood |
Later, we continued on up the mountain towards Zone C (500+ meters). We stopped to view an historic church before the wine tasting.
 |
| Church, Mount Olympus © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Burning Candles at the Church © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Inside View of the Church © Spaswinefood |
Tasting Rapsani Wines
There in the beautiful mountains, overlooking the nearby town of Rapsani, we did a wine tasting.
 |
| Rapsani Wines 1997- 2005 © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Rapsani Reserve 2007-2011 © Spaswinefood |
Our hosts also provided the most wonderful collection of cheeses to go along with an excellent wine tasting.
 |
| Inviting Local Cheeses, Rapsani © Spaswinefood |
Dining with Rapsani Wines
Yes, after the wine tasting we had a late lunch in the nearby town.
 |
| Restaurant, Rapsani © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Greek Salad, Rapsani © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Salad, Rapsani © Spaswinefood |
There were also courses that included cheese and meats.
 |
| Cheese & Vegetables, Rapsani © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Risotto & Meat, Rapsani © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Meatballs, Rapsani © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Eggplant, Rapsani © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Lamb, Rapsani © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Rapsani 2002 © Spaswinefood |
Lunch that day was absolutely delicious. Greek wine and food and hospitality is amazing. I so enjoyed the wine conversations that day over lunch.
 |
| Lunch with Rapsani Wines © Spaswinefood |
It is not every day that I get to taste Rapsani wine on the slopes of Greece's highest mountain, Mount Olympus. I was delighted that the Greek goddess of wine had invited me to Tsantali's Rapsani vineyard. 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. The Tsantali family, which has been producing wines since 1890, acquired the Rapsani Mount Olympus Vineyards in 1991. However, when it comes to Greek wines, it is Tsantali wines from indigenous grape varieties, like Xinomavro, that is so very special.
I invite you to check out my travels on the Wine Roads of Northern Greece and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
No comments:
Post a Comment