We arrived mid-morning at Domaine Kikones Winery, Komotini. We were met by Melina Tassou, an agricultural engineer and a Bordeaux educated winemaker. After her studies she gained further knowledge and experience in Australia and France (Bordeaux, Burgundy), before returning to Thrace to establish her own winery, Kikones. The importance of wine in ancient Thrace has been well established. However, since 2000 there has been a rebirth of wine making in this region, with the establishment of modern wineries, like Kikones. When the winery opened in 2004 it was the first winery in Rodopi, one of the regional units of Greece, which is a part of Thrace. Greece has been producing fantastic wines these days. During earlier visits to Athens and Northern Greece I experienced this first hand. I was equally fortunate to be part of a #winelover group that visited Kikones.
Discovering Domaine Kikones
Domaine Kikones takes it names from the Kikones, an ancient tribe from this region. The name Kikones was indeed appropriate for a winery name given that the Kikones were known for their wines. The Kikones were also excellent horsemen, hence, it is not surprising that the horse was the symbol chosen by Domaine Kikones. Indeed wine making in Thrace dates back to ancient times. Homer in his ancient Greek epic poems, the Ilaid and Odyssey, makes reference to the Kikones. The Kikones were allies of the Trojans. They supplied them wine during the Trojan war. Before the Trojan warriors set out to fight they drank some Kikones wine. It was also a Kikones wine that Ulysses gave to the Cyclops to escape from the cave. The myth goes something like this, the Cyclops Polyphemus trapped Odysseus in a cave. In order to escape Odysseus offered Polyphemus wine. Polyphemus in return blinded Odysseus but allowed him to escape from the cave.
Our #winelover visit to Domaine Kikones included a winery tour and a wine tasting. During the tour we were explained how the winery went about its construction to achieve its goals.
Due to the late spring rains we did not visit the vineyard. It has a perfection location in the hills of the Maroneia, not far from the Thracian Sea. Vasillis Tassou, Agronomist (DIP in Food Economics and Marketing, Reading UK) manages the vineyards and is the sales manager for the winery. Kikones organically farming
vineyard includes international and Greek grape varieties. The varieties planted are: Malagouzia, Limnio, Chardonnay, Syrah,
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese.
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| Melina Tassou, Kikones © Spaswinefood |
Domaine Kikones takes it names from the Kikones, an ancient tribe from this region. The name Kikones was indeed appropriate for a winery name given that the Kikones were known for their wines. The Kikones were also excellent horsemen, hence, it is not surprising that the horse was the symbol chosen by Domaine Kikones. Indeed wine making in Thrace dates back to ancient times. Homer in his ancient Greek epic poems, the Ilaid and Odyssey, makes reference to the Kikones. The Kikones were allies of the Trojans. They supplied them wine during the Trojan war. Before the Trojan warriors set out to fight they drank some Kikones wine. It was also a Kikones wine that Ulysses gave to the Cyclops to escape from the cave. The myth goes something like this, the Cyclops Polyphemus trapped Odysseus in a cave. In order to escape Odysseus offered Polyphemus wine. Polyphemus in return blinded Odysseus but allowed him to escape from the cave.
Our #winelover visit to Domaine Kikones included a winery tour and a wine tasting. During the tour we were explained how the winery went about its construction to achieve its goals.
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| Tank Room, Kikones © Spaswinefood |
Making Kikones Wines
It is important to note that Tassou views wine as a natural product. The overall approach at Kikones is based on the technical knowledge of Bordeaux, the vinification procedure of Burgundy, and the viticulture techniques of Australia. For each harvest great care goes into all stages of the wine making process. For instance the grapes are selected with great care, and picked by hand. Before the vinification the grapes are then checked on the sorting table, by a team of 10-15 women. They remove any leaves or unwanted berries. During the vinification the winemaker uses minimum technological interference in order to preserve the true character of each vintage.
It is important to note that Tassou views wine as a natural product. The overall approach at Kikones is based on the technical knowledge of Bordeaux, the vinification procedure of Burgundy, and the viticulture techniques of Australia. For each harvest great care goes into all stages of the wine making process. For instance the grapes are selected with great care, and picked by hand. Before the vinification the grapes are then checked on the sorting table, by a team of 10-15 women. They remove any leaves or unwanted berries. During the vinification the winemaker uses minimum technological interference in order to preserve the true character of each vintage.
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| Kikones Wine Lineup for Tasting © Spaswinefood |
Tasting Kikones Wines
Our wine tasting lineup (see above) included white wines (right) and red wines (left):
Domaine Kikones White Wines
Let's take a peek at these wines.
1. Domaine Kikones, Maron White Wine 2016
2. Domaine Kikones, Maron White Wine 2015
Maron is named after the King Maron, the priest and king of the ancient Kikones. Maron is 100% Malagouzia.
3. Domaine Kikones, Chardonnay 2015
Yes, there was a delicious rosé wine.
4. Domaine Kikones, Rosé 2016
The rosé is vinified using the Saigné Method. It is a blend of Limnio and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Next, we tasted the red wines.
5. Domaine Kikones, Limnio 2015
Limnio is a red Greek grape variety indigenous to Lemnos Island in the Northern Aegean. It is one of the oldest known and most important red grapes.
6. Domaine Kikones, Ippeas Dry Red Wine 2015
The wine is a Bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Its name Ippeas means horse rider. The Kikones were excellent horsemen.
7. Domaine Kikones, Maron 2009
The Maron red wine is made with the Italian grape variety Sangiovese.
8. Domaine Kikones, Syrah 2010
This is a very delightful Syrah. Checkout this video by Andreas Larsson, who was named Best Sommelier of the World (2007 ASI), tasting a Kikones Syrah 2010.
I was not the only one that liked these wines. They were quite popular with our #winelover group. It was indeed an exciting lineup of wines.
Our wine tasting lineup (see above) included white wines (right) and red wines (left):
Domaine Kikones White Wines
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| Domaine Kikones White Wines © Spaswinefood |
1. Domaine Kikones, Maron White Wine 2016
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| Domaine Kikones Maron 2016 © Spaswinefood |
2. Domaine Kikones, Maron White Wine 2015
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| Domaine Kikones Maron 2015 © Spaswinefood |
Maron is named after the King Maron, the priest and king of the ancient Kikones. Maron is 100% Malagouzia.
3. Domaine Kikones, Chardonnay 2015
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| Domaine Kikones Chardonnay 2015 © Spaswinefood |
Yes, there was a delicious rosé wine.
4. Domaine Kikones, Rosé 2016
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| Domaine Kikones Rosé 2016 © Spaswinefood |
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| Domaine Kikones Red Wines © Spaswinefood |
5. Domaine Kikones, Limnio 2015
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| Domaine Kikones Limnio 2015 © Spaswinefood |
6. Domaine Kikones, Ippeas Dry Red Wine 2015
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| Domaine Kikones Ippeas Dry Red Wine 2015 © Spaswinefood |
7. Domaine Kikones, Maron 2009
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| Domaine Kikones Maron 2009 © Spaswinefood |
8. Domaine Kikones, Syrah 2010
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| Domaine Kikones Syrah 2010 © Spaswinefood |
I was not the only one that liked these wines. They were quite popular with our #winelover group. It was indeed an exciting lineup of wines.
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| Kikones Wines © Spaswinefood |
What a great morning it was tasting Kikones wines. Since I was traveling on to the Balkans Wine Festival after wards I brought a bottle of Domaine Kikones with me for a friend. On the way out of the winery, by the vine covered entrance, I just happened to spot the winery kittens.
While the winemaker petted their mom I just had to take photo.
Obviously, such spring cuteness was not missed. Yes, those late spring rains in Thrace suggests that this vintage might be a good one.
The rebirth of wine making in Thrace is in good hands. Melina Tassou's wines, like the ones I tasted, are earmarked for success. Her well informed, careful and thoughtful approach to wine making is already making waves in the wine world. You should not the miss the opportunity to try Domaine Kikones wines. I just know that a Greek wine goddess/god would be calling me soon to taste Greek wines, or to visit a vineyard. Spaswinefood is looking forward to future wine country adventures along the Greek Wine Trails. Check out my travels in Greece at Spaswinefood.
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| Springtime Domaine Kikones © Spaswinefood |
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| Waiting for Mom, Domaine Kikones © Spaswinefood |
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| Domaine Kikones Kittens © Spaswinefood |
The rebirth of wine making in Thrace is in good hands. Melina Tassou's wines, like the ones I tasted, are earmarked for success. Her well informed, careful and thoughtful approach to wine making is already making waves in the wine world. You should not the miss the opportunity to try Domaine Kikones wines. I just know that a Greek wine goddess/god would be calling me soon to taste Greek wines, or to visit a vineyard. Spaswinefood is looking forward to future wine country adventures along the Greek Wine Trails. Check out my travels in Greece at Spaswinefood.
Sharon
May 2017
Alexandroupoli, Greece
© Spaswinefood
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