Saturday 28th May 2022: "A Tasting of 10 Greek Wines" - with Dinah in Ringmer

A very pleasant al fresco Tasting with Dinah in the garden of her home in Ringmer, her first SWAS hosting event since moving from Lewes. Dinah was very ably assisted by her friend Clarissa.

List of wines tasted

The Rosé:

1. 2021 Myrtia Moschofilero Assyrtiko Rosé; 80% Moschofilero, 20% Assyrtiko; bought from M&S Found for £10

An aromatic rosé made from Moschofilero and Assyrtiko grapes grown in the Peloponnese region of Greece. Vibrant and crisp with a refreshing finish, this wine is delightful served chilled as an aperitif or with seafood or salty cheeses.

Country of origin: Greece
Region: Peloponnese
Bottle size: 750 ml
Alcohol content: 12.5 %
Alcohol units per bottle: 9.4
Alcohol units per serving: 1.6
Serving Size: 125 ml
Allergens: Sulphites
Stopper type: Screw cap

The Whites:

2. 2019 Assyrtiko 'Atlantis' Argyros Estate, Santorini; Bought from South Downs Cellars for £21.95

A blend of predominately Assyrtiko with small amounts of other local varieties. Atlantis is a charming and accessible introduction to Greek wine.

Stone and citrus fruit with a refreshing acidity
Part of a new range from Estate Argyros showcasing simple approaches to Greek grape varieties
Argyros has produced a very inviting wine with indigenous grapes and minimal intervention
Best drunk on release or up to 3 years after
Drink with simply grilled fish or a fresh caprese salad

Argyros was established in Santorini in 1903 by Georgios Argyros, and today his great grandson Matthew Argyros continues the good work. Argyros is one of the best producers on the island, taking full advantage of its very old vineyards. There is no clay in Santorini's soils, so it is free of phylloxera and all of Argyros's vines are therefore ungrafted and ancient, with some being 200-300 years old. Yields are very low and only traditional native grape varieties are used: Assyrtiko, Athiri, Aidani, Mandilaria, Mavrathiro, Mavrotragano and Voudomato. These are fascinating, unique wines with a long history behind them and they offer amazing value for money.

3. 2021 Tetramythos Organic; Malagousia grape; 12.5% abv; Bought from The Wine Society for £11.50

Gorgeous malagousia from Tetramythos, one of Greece's leaders in sustainability based at high altitude in the northern Peloponnese. The fragrant lime and orange-blossom bouquet with a full, zesty but dry palate ensures this will go beautifully with all manner of seafood and grilled vegetables.

4. 2021 Moschofilero & Roditis; Peloponese, Greece; 12% abv ; Bought from M& S Found for £8.50

Blush-pink when ripe, these two native Greek grapes create a deliciously aromatic white wine. Sourcing grapes at high altitudes from 2 distinct regions of the Greek Peloponnesian peninsula, Leonidas Nassiakos of the highly respected Semeli Winery crafts this superb white wine using the local aromatic Moschofilero and citrusy Roditis. A great match to the Saganaki – grilled prawns in a rich tomato sauce. Best enjoyed chilled it will keep for 2 years or more becoming honeyed and complex.

The Reds:

5. 2020 Saint George Nemea Agiorgitiko, Skouras; 14.5% abv; Bought from The Wine Society for £11.95

Full-bodied, sweetly-fruited and aromatic Greek agiorgitiko from George Skouras, a master of the grape, who's careful use of oak provides added richness and spice complexity.

6. 2017 Agios Chronos, Avantis Estate, Poteria Greece; 92% Syrah, 8% Viognier; 14% abv; Bought from Borders Wine for £24.99

Dark ruby color, nose of intense complex bouquet, aroma of violet, liquorice and red fruit. Spicy rich palate, delicate fine-grained velvet tannins, slightly high acidity. High flavor intensity of apricots, nicely mixing with sweet red fruit, species, and long finish.

7. 2019 Xinomavro & Mandilaria; Naussa & Santorini regions; 13.5% abv; Bought from M&S Found for £9.50

A unique blend of two grapes indigenous to Greece: Xinomavro from the North, and Mandilaria from the Southern islands. Sourcing from sustainable vineyards, the fragrant indigenous grape Xinomavro from the mountainous north of Greece and the sturdy Mandilaria from islands in the Aegean, owner Apostolos Thymiopoulos of the winery that bears his name, crafts this elegant but flavoursome red. Due to his hands off approach to winemaking this wine may throw a harmless sediment. Try with the Greek favourite Stifado - slow cooked beef. Best enjoyed with in 2 years of purchase.

8. 2019 Xinomavro 'Alta' Naoussa, Thymiopoulos; 13% abv; Bought from The Wine Society for £11.95 (now £16.50 ... 😯)

'Alta' is sourced exclusively from the high-altitude vineyards of Fytia which, from the outstanding 2019 vintage, leads to an ethereal, aromatic xinomavro packed with cherry and strawberry notes alongside refreshing acidity, firm tannins and savoury cedar thanks to 8 months in French oak vats.

9. 2019 Kir-Yianni Paranga Merlot Xinomavro Syrah, Macedonia, Greece; 13.5% abv; 50% Merlot, 25% Xinomavro, 25% Syrah; Bought from Borders Wines for £14.49

Mouthwatering low yield, high altitude red from Northern Greece.

Kir-Yianni was founded in 1997 by Yiannis Boutaris, one of the leading figures in the Greek wine industry, when he left the Boutari Wine Group, the premium family wine company that his grandfather established in 1879. Today, Stellios Boutaris, member of the fifth generation of winemakers, leads Kir-Yianni into the next phase of its history, by dynamically exploiting the cornerstones of the Kir-Yianni philosophy: desire for innovation, respect for tradition and true knowledge of the wine, from the grape to the end consumer.

What started in 1997 as a fresh expression of Greek wine is now one of the most progressive wineries in the country. Research and development programmes dedicated to unlocking the potential of Xinomavro. The area is marked by cold winters and warm summers, but the four surrounding lakes create a unique mild mesoclimate. As a result, we get high fruit concentration and ripeness with exquisitely complex and rich aromas.

Paranga translates as 'The Shack', taking its name from the run-down state of the Amyndeon winery back in 1997 when Yiannis Boutaris bought it. The grapes are sourced primarily from contracted growers in the Amyndeon appellation in Northwestern Greece. The vineyards are at an altitude of 600m on poor sandy soils. The area has cold winters and warm summers, with the four surrounding lakes creating a unique mild mesoclimate.

Grapes are hand-picked and selected on a sorting table prior to crush. For each variety the must is cold soaked at 11-12°C in a reductive environment for 2-5 days. Fermentation takes place at 20-22°C, followed by malolactic fermentation in tank. During the next five months of the year, the lees are stirred twice a week (batonnage), in order to achieve a fuller mouthfeel.

Tasting Note: Red forest fruits and cherries, supplemented by a perfume of rose petals, give this light-bodied Macedonian red vibrancy, while a scattering of spice adds sensuality to the mix.

Critics: Jancis Robinson 16/20 (2015), Tom Cannavan 88/100, Decanter World Wine Awards 2018 - Bronze Medal

10. 2017 Kir Yianni Ramnista, Naoussa, Xinomavro, Macedonia, Greece; 14.5% abv; bought from Borders Wines for £25.99

Special parcel of Xinomavro, from selected vineyard blocks within the private vineyards in Yiannakohori - a really special wine

What started in 1997 as a fresh expression of Greek wine is now one of the most progressive wineries in the country. Research and development programmes dedicated to unlocking the potential of Xinomavro, the local grape variety, are given the kind of focus Catena have done with Malbec Ramnista comes from the Kir-Yianni estate in Naoussa. The blocks within the vineyard used for Ramnista have an overall southeast exposure at an altitude of 280-330m. Vine density ranges from 3,500 to 4,000 per hectare. Grapes for Ramnista come from the vineyard blocks in the lower pH range and with lighter soil types to maximize the aromatic intensity and complexity. Most of these blocks are closest to the nearby forest, where the more humid mesoclimate leads to a more tempered ripening pace. Xinomavro is one of these capricious varieties that are very selective about the soil and the climate where they grow. Indigenous to the vineyards of northern Greece, it finds here its proper place, having a unique ability to express its terroir.

The grapes are handpicked, chilled overnight and sorted on a conveyor belt before crushing. After a six–day pre-fermentation cold soak at 8-10°C, the must undergoes a 12-15 day vinification at controlled temperatures. Fermentation temperature does not exceed 25°C. Roughly one third of the wine ferments in open-top tanks with pigeage. The final blend is made five months after harvest and the last racking takes place about six months later. Matured in both French and American oak, new oak up to 25%, and about 25% 500-litre casks. Filtered lightly before bottling.

Tasting Note: Savoury, aromatic Xinomavro from its best-known home region, perfumed with rose petals, strawberry, cherry and vanilla, yet the sweetness kept in check by notes of tomato, olive tapenade and pleasant fumes of tobacco.

Critics: Jancis Robinson 17/20, Decanter 88/100 'Recommended', Tom Cannavan 92/100, Decanter World Wine Awards 2018 - Bronze Medal (2015 vintage). Wine Advocate - 93 Points (1997, 2001, 2007, 2011 vintages), 92 Points (2013 vintage), 91 Points (1999, 2009, 2012, 2015 vintages).

The Raffle:

No raffle at this Tasting

The Early Supper Menu:

During the 'Reds' tasting Dinah & Clarissa served an excellent Boeuf Bourguignon with Creamy Mashed Potato and Green Beans followed by Lemon Posset and/or Tiramasu and a Cheese Board.