Peloponnese wine country, just 90 minutes drive from Athens, is a must for #winelovers. The Peloponnese Peninsula, the southernmost part of continental Greece, is a landscape dominated by mountains, plateaus and valleys. It is home to the largest wine region in Greece where you will find a wide range of Greek and international grape varieties. Our #winelover 4th anniversary celebrations included a wine country outing to the Peloponnese world of vineyards and ancient monuments. There we visited Domaine Skouras and the Mycenae archaeological site.
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| Aromas, Domaine Skouras © Spaswinefood |
Domaine Skouras
Not far from the popular town of Nafplion is Domaine Skouras. This Nemean winery is located in one of the most highly respected PDOs (Protected Designation of Origin) in Southern Greece, producing some of the most diverse and complex wines. Nemea PDO is well known for its Agiorgitiko and Moscofilero wines. The region is also known of its Roditis, Moschato, Mavrodaphne and Korinthiaki wines.
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| Vineyard View, Domaine Skouras © Spaswinefood |
George Skouras, owner and winemaker greeted us when we arrived. He introduced us to Nemea region grape varieties, such as Moscofilero (white) and Agiorgitiko (red) grape varieties (checkout this video of him discussing Agiorgitiko). The charismatic Skouras studied Oenology in Dijon, France. After working at wineries in France, Italy and Greece he established Domaine Skouras in 1986. In 2004 Domaine Skouras established a modern winery in Malandreni, within the Nemea appellation.
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| George Skouras Welcomes #Winelovers to Domaine Skouras © Spaswinefood |
Domaine Skouras winery is well setup to receive visitors, with a tasting room and restaurant. Before we did a tasting in the downstairs tasting room we took a brief tour of the winery.
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| #Winelovers, Domaine Skouras © Spaswinefood |
It is hard to resist taking pictures in the barrel room.
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| Domaine Skouras Barrel Room © Spaswinefood |
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| Domaine Skouras Wine in the Making © Spaswinefood |
Domaine Skouras Wines
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| Domaine Skouras Wines © Spaswinefood |
The wine tasting included the following wines:
1. Domaine Skouras, Salto PGI Peloponnese 2014 (100% Moscofilero)
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| Domaine Skouras, Salto PGI Peloponnese 2014 © Spaswinefood |
2. Domaine Skouras, Armyra PGI Peloponnese 2014 (95% Chardonnay 5% Malagousia)
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| Domaine Skouras, Armyra PGI Peloponnese 2014 © Spaswinefood |
3. Domaine Skouras, Viognier Eclectique PGI Argolida (100% Viognier)
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Domaine Skouras, Viognier Eclectique PGI Argolida ©Spaswinefood
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4. Domaine Skouras, Grande Cuvée PDO Nemea 2004 (100% Agiorgitiko)
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| Domaine Skouras, Grande Cuvée Nemea 2004 © Spaswinefood |
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| Domaine Skouras, Grande Cuvée Nemea 2004 © Spaswinefood |
5. Domaine Skouras, Megas Oenos PGI Peloponnese 2010 (80% Agiorgitiko 20% Cabernet Sauvignon)
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| Domaine Skouras, Megas Oenos PGI Peloponnese 2010 © Spaswinefood |
This wine is considered synonymous with George Skouras. He was the first to blend Agiorgitiko and Cabernet Sauvignon.
6. Domaine Skouras, Synoro PGI Peloponnese 2007 (Cabernet franc 40%, Merlot 40% & 20% Agiorgitiko)
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| Domaine Skouras, Synoro (2nd from right) © Spaswinefood |
For me getting to know the local grape varieties (Moscofilero and Agiorgitiko) was the absolute highlight of this tasting. Domaine Skouras flagship wine Megas Oenos was my favorite.
Lunch at Domaine Skouras
After the tasting it was time for lunch with delicious local Greek dishes. I not only enjoyed the view of the nearby mountains from my table but also conversations with fellow #winelovers.
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| Lunch, Domaine Skouras © Spaswinefood |
Lunch included the following dishes:
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| Salad, Domaine Skouras © Spaswinefood |
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| Eggplant, Domaine Skouras © Spaswinefood |
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| Pastry, Domaine Skouras © Spaswinefood |
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| Lunch, Domaine Skouras © Spaswinefood |
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| Tempting Dish, Domaine Skouras © Spaswinefood |
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| Grilled Vegetables, Domaine Skouras © Spaswinefood |
Yes, there was dessert, with a dessert wine.
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| Dessert Time, Domaine Skouras © Spaswinefood |
The staff at Domaine Skouras were very helpful.
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| Thanks, Domaine Skouras © Spaswinefood |
It was great to try the wines with food during lunch. Two of the wines that I tried were:
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| Domaine Skouras, Moscofilero PGI Peloponnese 2014 © Spaswinefood |
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| Domaine Skouras, Fleva Syrah PGI Peloponnese 2014 © Spaswinefood |
The Domaine Skouras, Moscofilero PGI Peloponnese 2015 was a nice contrast to the Moscofilero that I had during the wine tasting. The Domaine Skouras, Fleva Syrah PGI Peloponnese 2014 was 100% Syrah. These two wines went well with lunch.
Then of course there was time for relaxing, or some extra sampling after lunch.
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| Relaxing, Domaine Skouras © Spaswinefood |
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| Wine Moments, Domaine Skouras © Spaswinefood |
Yes, it was a delightful wine tasting, and a very tasty lunch at Domaine Skouras. Peloponnese wine country makes a perfect a vine filled escape. Near Domaine Skouras there are other wineries to visit. You will find nearby the Archaeological Museum of Nemea, the ancient Temple of Zeus, Mycenae, Tiryns, Heraion, ancient Agors of Argos and Asclepion of Epidaurus. You will also find in Nafplion attractions, such as Bourtzi, Akronafphlia, Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation and Archaeological Museum.
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| Domaine Skouras Vineyard © Spaswinefood |
Mycenae Archaeological Site
Before visiting Domaine Skouras we began the day with a guided tour of the archaeological site of Mycenae. Mycenae is 90 km. southeast of Athens in Peloponnese.
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| Mycenae Archaeological Ruins © Spaswinefood |
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| Through the Gate, Mycenae © Spaswinefood |
We did a very quick tour of the ruins, pausing briefly at Lions Gate.
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Lions Gate, Mycenae © Spaswinefood
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Just outside the main archaeological site we visited a burial site. This site is well preserved because it was well hidden underground.
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| #Winelovers Checkout Mycenae © Spaswinefood |
It was indeed a delightful vine-filled escape to Peloponnese wine country.
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| View from Domaine Skouras © Spaswinefood |
Visitors to Athens should know that they are not far from Peloponnese wine country. Just take the highway out of Athens that takes you over the Corinth Canal. Yes, you too can discover that special #winelover magic in Greece. I look forward to writing about other Greek #winelover experiences at Spaswinefood.
Sharon
Athens, Greece
February 2016
© Spaswinefood
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| Corinth Canal, Greece © Spaswinefood |
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