Sunday, August 6, 2017

Let’s Travel to Greece Together

No Passport necessary for this wine tour!

If you are stuck at home just like us this summer, then join our travels through wine and have a staycation with us.  Try one (or all) of our specially selected Greek Wines and tour Greece through your wine glass. Passports are not required, just let your imagination and your wine glass take you there.

We are kicking off your trip in Northern Greece in the region of Naoussa.

Xinomavro is for true wine lovers. Produced only within 4 appellations in northern Greece this red is a complete Diva. Difficult to grow, difficult to manage and requires lots of love and patience during the wine making process. A wine that has a deep character, is terroir driven, age worthy and food friendly!

A must visit winery in the region is Argatia . A two level structure with the winery located on the first floor and the family home on the second. Dr Haroula Spinthiropoulou an agronomist turned winemaker who has dedicated her life to perfecting Xinomavro in the region and it shows.



Argatia Xinomavro 2011
The Argatia Xinomavro from Naoussa is all a Xinomavro should be.  Dry red berries, forest brush, and ripe tomato aromas. Medium-bodied on the palate, terroir driven with an explosion of flavors with every second. The finish is persistent long and dry. 







Next stop, is Siatista. Just about an hour or so west of Naoussa. A small traditional town of 5000 some residents known for its Saffron and its wines. We are visiting the winery of Dio Fili (Two friends) a small family owned winery that has been producing fantastic wines for several generations.

Xinomavro from Siatista tends to have that dark leather, tobacco, and barnyard earthy aromas that instantly distinguishes itself from the ones produced in Naoussa; but on today’s visit, we are just tasting a Xinomavro rose.



Dio Fili Xinomayro Rose 2016
Dio Fili Xinomavro Rose is truly amazing and a must try wine. It is bright with red fruit aromas, medium-bodied with a lovely acidity that is persistent on the palate and throughout the long, mineral, herbal finish.

A glass of this Rose will instantly transport you to the hills of Siatista sitting on a terrace watching the distant sunset.



Our next stop is Mantineia in Peloponnisos. With an altitude of over 2000 feet above sea level, Mantineia can certainly produce cool, dry white wines from Moschofilero. Moschofilero with its wild and exotic intensity and tangy crispness.

The Troupis family has been producing wines since the 1970s.  The experience and love of the vine of Tasos Troupis can be tasted in every sip of his Moschofilero




Fteri Moschofilero by Troupis 2015
Intensely fragrant Moschofilero, combining floral, fruit and citrus aromas. It is clean and crisp making it perfect as an aperitif or with light meals. Go ahead, you deserve a glass of this refreshing white after work.






From Mantineia we are off to Nemea. Winemaking in Nemea is as ancient as any in the world; from the time of Hercule to today.

Agiorgitiko is a grape that transforms itself with every type of soil but it only thrives in Nemea. The variety of soils and terroirs in the area helped to create different styles of wines.




Mountain Fish Agiorgitiko 2015
Mountain Fish from the Strofilia winery takes a modern expression of the traditional style of Agiorgitiko. Pronounced aromas of ripe red bing cherries and cassis followed by hints of vanilla and cloves that carry through the palate. Vibrant and well balanced with a long finish.





Ok, get your swim suits ready Santorini here we come! A breath taking island with beautiful beaches, white houses, and vineyards that extend from sea level to the top of the hills.  Old vines planted on black ash, volcanic soils with extremely low yields producing exceptional opulent wines with firm structure.

Assyrtiko produces wines with distinctive character and great minerality; wines that can be enjoyed in their youth or hold for a few years. Most assyrtiko wines are unoaked.

Domaine Sigalas was founded in 1991 by the Sigalas Family. Their passion for assyrtiko quickly put them on the map as one of the best producers on the island.


Domaine Sigalas "Aa" Assyrtiko-Athiri 2016
This white wine is a blend of Assyrtiko and Athiri with citrus aromas a lively palate and great mineral finish.

Take your shoes off, sit down take a sip of the wine and close your eyes. You will see the blue sea and smell the salt in the air.






We are finishing off our trip to Greece with a second winery visit in Santorini; the Artemis Karamogelos Winery. Karamogelos started producing wines for his personal consumption from the local indigenous grapes in 1952. Today, three generations later tradition combined with a modern point of view resulted in wines that express the true Santorini character.


Feredini Assyrtiko 2016
The mineral soil of Santorini is really the center point of this wine. Light citrus notes medium-bodied, lush flavors, savory, briny notes with a long mineral finish.

** Beware ** This wine will make you want to visit Santorini tomorrow!

Στην υγεια μας!
Costas Mouzouras