It is no doubt that I will always remember Valentine's Day 2016, the 4th #Winelover Anniversary in Athens, Greece. Needless to say this #Winelover Anniversary, on Valentine's Day, will be a very special time to celebrate with Greek wine. For those wishing to celebrate this day of friendship and love I will offer a few wine recommendations. These recommendations are based primarily on an earlier wine safari through Northern Greece. I am sure that after this #Winelover Anniversary I will add a few more to my list.
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| Xinomavro (the cat) meets Xinomavro (the wine) © Spaswinefood |
The wines on the list were made from both indigenous Greek and international grape varieties. The indigenous grape varieties include Malagousia (mah-lah-goo-zee-AH) and Assyrtiko (A seer' tec ko), white grapes; Xinomavro (Ksee NOH mah vroh), a red grape, which has gained "red hot" attention in recent years. Many are now discovering that these grapes make excellent wines. If you have not tried them yet then you really need to track them down.
Celebrating with Greek Wines
Here are a few Greek white, rosé and red wines that are at the top of my list, not only for Valentines Day but throughout the year.
White Wines
My top white Greek wines include:
1. Domaine Porto Carras
(1) Domaine Porto Carras, Malagouzia 2014
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| Domaine Porto Carras, Malagouzia 2014 © Spaswinefood |
(2) Domaine Porto Carras, Assyrtiko 2014
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| Domaine Porto Carras, Assyrtiko 2014 © Spaswinefood |
2. Wine Art Estate
(1) Wine Art Estate, Idisma Drios Assyrtiko, PGI Drama 2014
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| Wine Art Estate, Idisma Drios Assyrtiko, PGI Drama 2014 © Spaswinefood |
3. Ktima Gerovassiliou
In 1981 when Vangelis Gerovassiliou returned to the family vineyard he planted mainly Malagousia, which was in danger of extinction. He was the first to produce wine from this grape and quickly recognized its potential to make high quality wine. Today the winery not only continues to research and experiment with Greek varieties but with international varieties too.
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| Tasting Ktima Gerovassiliou White Wines © Spaswinefood |
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Kitma Gerovassiliou Wines © Spaswinefood
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4. Stelios Kechris Domaine
If I had to pick a unique white wine then it would be a modern style retsina. If you have not tasted modern retsinas then start with this one.
(1) Stelios Kechris Domaine, The Tear of the Pine 2014 (100% Assyrtiko)
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Stelios Kechris Domaine, The Tear of the Pine 2014 © Spaswinefood
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Rosé Wines
I discovered that there is an amazing offering of Greek rosé wines. Give any of these wines a try. You will not be disappointed.
1. Naoussa Boutari
(1) Naoussa Boutari, Rosé Boutari Sec, PGI Macedonia 2014
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Rosé Boutari Sec, PGI Macedonia 2014 © Spaswinefood
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2. Kir-Yianni
Try the following:
(1) Akakies Rosé (Xinomavro), PDO Amyndeon 2014
(2) Akakies Sparkling Rosé Charmat (Xinomavro), PDO Amyndeon 2014
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Kir-Yianni, Akakies Sparkling Rosé2014 © Spaswinefood
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3. Domaine Porto Carras
(1) Domaine Porto Carras, Rose 2014
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Domaine Porto Carras, Rose 2014 © Spaswinefood
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4. Stelios Kechris Domaine
(1) Stelios Kechris Domaine, On a Rosé Background 2014 (100% Xinomavro)
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Stelios Kechris Domaine, On a Rosé Background 2014 (100% Xinomavro) © Spaswinefood
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5. Ktima Biblia Chora
(1) Ktima Biblia Chora Rosé, Pangeon PGI 2014
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Ktima Biblia Chora Rosé, Pangeon PGI 2014 © Spaswinefood
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(2) 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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Certainly there is lots of variation in the above rosé wines but they are all interesting.
Red Wines
When I think of red Greek wine it is hard for me, not to think of Xinomavro. Now, let us take a look at some Xinomavro wines and a few others.
1. Tsantali Rapsani
My first introduction to Xinomavro was Rapsani. Last October when I visited North Greece there in the beautiful mountains, overlooking the nearby town of Rapsani, we did a wine tasting of Rapsani wines. Checkout the following Rapsani wines:
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| Tsantali Rapsani Wines 1997- 2005 © Spaswinefood |
Our wine tasting included Rapsani wines 1997-2005 and Rapsani Reserve 2007-2011. Do not ask me to pick just one vintage.
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| Tsantali Rapsani Reserve 2007-2011 © Spaswinefood |
2. Kir-Yianni
Another extensive tasting of Xinomavro that I have tasted to date was at Kir-Yianni.
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| Kir-Yianni Wines © Spaswinefood |
Included in that tasting were the following wines:
1. Kali Riza Xinomavro, Old Vines (60-80 years) PDO Amyndeon 2013
2. Ramnista Xinomavro, Estate Grown, PDO Naoussa 2011
3. Ramnista Xinomavro, Siniatsi Block 9, Single Vineyard, Estate Grown, PDO Naoussa 2011 (unreleased)
4. Ramnista Xinomavro, Cyclamen Block 15, Single Vineyard, Estate Grown, PDO Naoussa 2011 (unreleased)
5. Ramnista Xinomavro, Limni Block 5, Single Vineyard, Estate Grown, PDO Naoussa 2011 (unreleased)
6. Ramnista Xinomavro, Limni Block 5 Wild Ferment, Single Vineyard, Estate Grown, PDO Naoussa 2011 (unreleased)
7. Diaporos Xinomavro 93% & Syrah 7%, Single Vineyard, Estate Grown, PGI Imathia 2011
8. Ramnista Xinomavro, Estate Grown, PDO Naoussa 2005
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Kir-Yianni Terroir © Spaswinefood
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These Xinomavros are all exciting because of the differences in style and terroir. Just try one or one.
3. Apha Estate
This winery produces so many wonderful wines. Amongst my Xinomavro favorites are:
(1) Alpha Estate Xinomavro 2010, PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) Amyndeon, Hedgehog
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| Alpha Estate Xinomavro 2010, PDO Amyndeon, Hedgehog |
(2) Apha Estate Xinomavro Reserve 2011, PDO Amyndeon, Old Vines/Vielles Vignes
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Tasting Alpha Estate Xinomavro Reserve 2011 & © Spaswinefood
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4. Domaine Porto Carras
(1) Domaine Porto Carras, Chateau Porto Carras 2006 (Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc blend)
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| Domaine Porto Carras, Chateau Porto Carras 2006 © Spaswinefood |
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| Domaine Porto Carras, Chateau Porto Carras 2006 (backlabel) © Spaswinefood |
2. Domaine Porto Carras, Chateau Porto Carras 1993
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| Domaine Porto Carras, Chateau Porto Carras 1993 © Spaswinefood |
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| Domaine Porto Carras, Chateau Porto Carras Wines © Spaswinefood |
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| Tasting Chateau Porto Carras Wines © Spaswinefood |
In the case of these red wines the Chateau Porto Carras 2006 & 1993, 1993 was a winner for sure. Just try a Chateau Porto Carras wine, regardless of vintage and you will discover something special.
5. Boutari, 1879 Legacy Xinomavro, Single Vineyard, PDO Naoussa 2007
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Boutari, 1879 Legacy Xinomavro, Single Vineyard, PDO Naoussa 2007 © Spaswinefood
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Remember Greek white, rosé and red wines, not only for Valentines Day, but throughout the year. Happy Valentine's Day!
No matter where my future Spaswinefood travels takes me on Valentine's Day it will be hard to beat the celebration of the 4th #Winelover Anniversary in Athens, Greece. Happy " Valentines Day", or as it is most commonly said" Dia de San Valentino" (Latin America), "Dia del Amor y la Amistad" (in some parts of South America "Day of Love and Friendship") and in Guatemala "Dia del Cariño".
Yes, there is always a special #winelover magic in the air on this Valentine's Day. It is a time for wine, roses and chocolate of course. I look forward to writing about other Greek #winelover experiences at Spaswinefood.
© Spaswinefood
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| Xinomavro (the cat) meets Xinomavro (the wine) © Spaswinefood |
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