When #winelovers met for lunch in Alexandroupoli, Greece one month ago it was the beginning of a four day adventure in the Thrace Wine Region. While we had come to discover the wines of Thrace what continues to draw us together is the sense of community. Naturally, we began our wine adventure with yamas (cheers).
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| Our First Yamas, Tsipouro sto Ftero © Spaswinefood |
Later that
day the BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) would officially start our Thrace #winelover gathering. It is a custom at such gatherings to bring a bottle to share at the first dinner. However, for the early arrivals our first #winelover outing was to Tsipouro sto Utero for lunch.
#Winelovers arrive in Alexandroupoli
After a most delightful stopover in Athens it was onto Alexandroupoli. I flew Olympus Airlines with a few fellow #winelovers on the same flight.
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| Olympic Air, Alexandroupoli © Spaswinefood |
Soon we arrived in Alexandroupoli, the largest city in the Thrace
Wine Region, which we would use as the base for our wine country explorations.
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| Alexandroupoli Airport © Spaswinefood |
We were greeted upon arrival by #Winelover Giannis, not only a Greek #Winelover but also an advocate for Greek wines. From the airport it was onto the Erika Hotel to check in for the next five nights.
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| Erika Hotel © Spaswinefood |
Soon our local organizer George turned up and we were off for a casual Greek lunch at a nearby restaurant.
Yes, a Casual #Winelover Lunch
Once our orders were placed almost immediately some bread and a bottle of ouzo arrived at the table.
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| Bread © Spaswinefood |
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| It's a Custom © Spaswinefood |
Just after the salad appeared a variety of seafood dishes arrived.
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| Salad, Bread and More © Spaswinefood |
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| Octopus © Spaswinefood |
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| Mussels © Spaswinefood |
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| Seafood Platter © Spaswinefood |
Yes, there was an omelette for a #winelover who does not eat seafood.
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| Omelette © Spaswinefood |
Yes, you may have guessed who does not eat seafood.
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| #Winelover enjoying Omelette © Spaswinefood |
But of course there was eggplant for the vegetarian as well.
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| Eggplant © Spaswinefood |
Soon the table was filled with lots of tasty dishes. There were also a few conversations about wine.
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| Lunch © Spaswinefood |
Even though we were all holding out for the BYOB Dinner that evening we did have a little wine.
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| Wine for a Toast © Spaswinefood |
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| A Dry Red Greek Wine © Spaswinefood |
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| Pairs Well © Spaswinefood |
A few folks even tried one of the local beers.
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| Beptina Lager © Spaswinefood |
Perhaps it was time for a toast. Giannis is always ready for a toast. George even brought along the TU wine glasses. WOW! YES, we raised our glasses for the "First Yamas".
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| Yamas (Cheers), Tsipouro sto Ftero © Spaswinefood |
No, we did not forget desert. George told us that it was a typical spoon dessert (spoon sweet) in Greece. One small dessert with a number of spoons. First, I thought what a neat idea. Later I would discover that all these delicious spoonfuls soon add up.
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| Greek Spoon Sweet © Spaswinefood |
After the First Yamas I just knew that a Greek wine goddess/god would be calling
me very soon to taste more Greek wines, or to visit a vineyard in Thrace. Our
#Winelover in Thrace Wine and Gastronomy Adventure would include visits to local
wineries, olive oil tastings from ancient trees, wine tastings, and of course the amazing hospitality of Northern Greece. Spaswinefood
is looking forward to sharing more about our wine country adventures along the wine trails of Greece.
Check out my travels in Greece at Spaswinefood.
Sharon
May 2017
Alexandroupoli,
Greece
© Spaswinefood
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| Tsipouro sto Ftero © Spaswinefood |
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Special thanks to T:U Events for its excellent organization of our #winelover adventures in Thrace.
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