An October mist was settling into northeastern Greece's Pangeon Mountain area when we arrived at Ktima Biblia Chora Estate. We had come to visit this wine estate, which is located on the slopes of the Pangeon Mountain, Kokkinohori, near the town of Kavala. According to Greek mythology Mount Pangeon is where Dionysus (the god of the grape harvest, winemaking and wine, ritual madness, religious ecstasy and theatre) was raised. Biblia Chora, our first stop on The Wine Route of Dionysus, is not only perfect for exploring Greek mythology but also viticultural history and modern day winemaking.
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| Biblia Chora Estate, Kokkinohori Kavala © Spaswinefood |
In 1998 the location was selected by oenologists Vassilis Tsaktsarlis and Tangelos Gerovassiliou to establish an organic vineyard. They certainly chose an area with a fascinating viticultural history. Wine making in this area dates back to the Phoenicians who brought the Biblos grape variety to the area. From this grape the local farmers produced Biblino Oeno, a famous ancient wine. Later the early Greeks created an oenology centre and became known for their Biblia Chora wine. In fact, the area became known as Biblia Chora. The winery bears this name.
Today Domaine Biblia Chora has a 350 acre vineyard and a modern state-of-the-art winery. They follow organic farming principles. Using the best of tradition and modern technology, the winery's goal is to produce premium wines. They produce wines from both Greek and international grape varieties. Domaine Biblia Chora wines reflect the terroir of the Pangeon Mountain's unique ecosystem. Another key component of the winery's work is research.
Biblia Chora Estate
When we arrived at Domaine Biblia Chora, Kokkinohori Kavala we toured the winery, did a wine tasting and checked out the experimental vineyard.
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| Wine and Cheese, Domaine Biblia Chora © Spaswinefood |
We did a brief tour of the winery before the wine tasting. Our first stop was the barrel room.
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| Barrel Room, Domaine Biblia Chora © Spaswinefood |
Domaine Biblia Chora Wine Tasting
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| Wine Tasting, Biblia Chora Estate © Spaswinefood |
The wine tasting included:
White Wines
The white wines we tasted were:
1. Areti White, Pangeon PGI 2014 (Organic Certified)
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Ktima Biblia Chora, Areti White, Pangeon PGI 2014 © Spaswinefood
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2. Areti White, Pangeon PGI 2008 (Organic Certified)
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Ktima Biblia Chora, Areti White, Pangeon PGI 2008 © Spaswinefood
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3. Ktima Biblia Chora White, Pangeon PGI 2014
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| Ktima Biblia Chora White, Pangeon PGI 2014 © Spaswinefood |
3. Ovilos White, Pangeon PGI 2014
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| Ktima Biblia Chora Ovilos White, Pangeon PGI 2014 © Spaswinefood |
Ovilos White, Pangeon PGI 2008
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| Ktima Biblia Chora Ovilos White, Pangeon PGI 2008 © Spaswinefood |
4. Plagues White, Pangeon PGI 2014
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Ktima Biblia Chora Plagues White, Pangeon PGI 2014 © Spaswinefood
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Rosé Wines
The two Rosé wines we tasted were:
5. Ktima Biblia Chora Rosé, Pangeon PGI 2014
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Ktima Biblia Chora Rosé, Pangeon PGI 2014 © Spaswinefood
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6. Biblinos Oenos Rosé Magnum (Regional un-named variety) 2014
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Ktima Biblia Chora Biblinos Oenos Rosé (Regional un-named variety) 2014 © Spaswinefood
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Red Wines
The red wines we tasted were:
7. Pinot Noir, Pangeon PGI 2013
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| Ktima Biblia Chora Pinot Noir, Pangeon PGI 2013 © Spaswinefood |
8. Areti Red Pangeon PGI (Organic Certified) 2009
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| Ktima Biblia Chora Areti Red Pangeon PGI 2009 (Organic Certified) © Spaswinefood |
9. Biblinos Oenos (Regional un-named variety) 2011
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Ktima Biblia Chora Billions Oenos, (Regional un-named variety) 2011 © Spaswinefood
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10. Ktima Biblia Chora Red, Pangeon PGI 2012
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| Ktima Biblia Chora Red, Pangeon PGI 2012 © Spaswinefood |
11. Plagues Sideways Red, Pangeon PGI 2008
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| Ktima Biblia Chora Plagues Sideways Red, Pangeon PGI 2008 © Spaswinefood |
12. Ovilos Red, Pangeon PGI 2009
This wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. What struck me most about the wine was its young tannins, and the fact that it has an aging potential of 20 years.
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Biblia Chora Estate Wine Tasting © Spaswinefood
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Dessert Wines
Ktima Biblia Chora produces a dessert wine. I tasted a natural sweet table wine called Glikis, 100% Gewürztraminer, late harvest.
13. Glikis White Pangeon PGI
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| Ktima Biblia Chora, Glikis © Spaswinefood |
During the tasting we were introduced to the story of the unnamed grape found on the estate. I tasted two different wines made from this unnamed grape, a rosé and a red. The wines were (1) Biblinos Oenos Rosé 2014, and (2) Biblinos Oenos 2011. I rather liked these two wines that were made, using this regional un-named grape variety. Maybe future DNA analysis will reveal its identity.
Greek Cheeses with Domaine Biblia Chora Wines
Of course we had wonderful cheeses to go along with the excellent wine tasting. This was not the first time during our #NorthGRTrip that we had great cheeses. However, this time I managed to make a list of the cheeses.
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| Ktima Biblia Chora Wine & Cheese © Spaswinefood |
To go along with the cheeses were some tempting breads.
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| Breads, Ktima Biblia Chora © Spaswinefood |
Now, let us take a look at the cheeses.
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| Blachotyri Metzovo, Kayseri Sohos, and Graver Naxos © Spaswinefood |
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| Ladotyri Mytilini, Ktima Biblia Chora © Spaswinefood |
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| Semi-hard Drama & Krassotyri Kos, Ktima Biblia Chora © Spaswinefood |
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| Homemade Tyrosalad, Ktima Biblia Chora © Spaswinefood |
Yes, it was a fabulous lineup of wine and cheeses.
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| Ktima Biblia Chora for Wine and Cheese © Spaswinefood |
Even though it was getting dark when we left that evening I took the time to view some of the grapes in the experimental vineyard.
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| Nightfall, Biblia Chora Estate © Spaswinefood |
Fortunately the lighting near the experimental vineyard was sufficient to capture a few photos.
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| Experimental Vineyard, Biblia Chora Estate © Spaswinefood |
Domaine Biblia Chora wines are marketed under the PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) Pangeon. PGI Pangeon was established in 1995. The wine types produced in this PGI include dry/sweet white, dry rosé and dry/medium dry red. Greek and international varieties include: Assyrtiko, Roditis, Malagousia, Muscat of Alexandria, Viognier, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Trebbiano, Agiorgitiko, Lemnio, Pamidi, Grenache Rouge, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.
It was indeed a delightful visit to Domaine Biblia Chora on The Wine Route of Dionysus. Spaswinefood is so looking forward to future explorations along the Wine Roads of Northern Greece. I invite you to join me in my travels in Greece and elsewhere at Spaswinefood, or visit my travel column at the Examiner.
Sharon
October 2015
Kokkinohori Kavala
Greece
© Spaswinefood
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| Vineyard, Biblia Chora Estate © Spaswinefood |
Note: This expense paid Press Trip was sponsored by #dwcc15 and #NorthGRTrip
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